Contact: Kristina Hill, The Inspiration Network, 704-561-7866, khill@insp.com

CHARLOTTE, NC, Dec. 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- Throughout the month of December, INSP – The Inspiration Network, will replace its normal schedule with several holiday specials, Ron Shuping, Executive Vice President-Programming for The Inspiration Networks, announced today. "This continues a tradition that we have maintained for many years," Shuping explained. "Our holiday programming has proven to be very popular with the inspirational audience and even those who are not regular viewers. These are high-quality programs that provide encouragement and inspiration in keeping with the season. Many of the programs are original and exclusive."

Shuping said that many of the programs would air during the INSP Saturday Night! line-up. The programs will feature performances and interviews with Michael W. Smith, Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, and more. They include:

• David and Barbara Cerullo host the special "Hope for the Holidays," which offers encouragement to those who suffer from difficult times, depression, and hopelessness during the holiday season. The program is complimented with performances by Natalie Grant and Larnelle Harris. Air date: December 16, 2006, 10:30PM – 11:30PM; December 30, 9:30PM – 10:30PM EST.

• "Everyday Woman" co-hosts Barbara Cerullo and Becky Henderson share holiday traditions with Alicia Williamson Garcia, host of INSP's award winning program "I Gospel." Williamson Garcia also sings several holiday classics. Air date: December 16, 9:30PM – 10:30PM EST.

• Viewers can also watch Barbara and Becky on the special, "Everyday Woman: Holidays at Home," featuring platinum-selling recording artist Michael W. Smith and his mother, Barbara. During the program, Barbara shares recipes from her book, "Food That Says Welcome." Michael also performs several songs from his new album, "Stand." Air date: December 23, 11:00PM – Midnight EST.

• On "We Will Know Peace," Daywind artists The Hoskins Family, LordSong, The Cumberland Quartet, and The Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet sing a variety of holiday classics – some with a twist of Southern Gospel. Air date: December 23, 9:30PM – 10:30PM EST.

• The "I Gospel" Christmas special features performances by The Las Vegas Mass Choir, Neville Peter, and the program's host, Alicia Williamson Garcia. Air date: December 23, 10:30PM – 11:00PM EST.

• Hosts Bill and Gloria Gaither take viewers to Johannesburg, South Africa on "Gaither's Homecoming: Christmas in South Africa." Special guests include: Franklin Graham and Operation Christmas Child, Kim Hopper, Michael Tait, Russ Taff, the African Children's Choir, and more. Air date: December 23, 8:00PM – 9:00PM EST.

Additional holiday programs will be seen throughout the Christmas season in other time periods. Holiday programs can also be viewed on the premiere broadband channel for the inspirational community, Inspiration.net. The channel offers "on demand" access to a broad array of content, including programs for teens, kids, and adults. For more information visit www.inspiration.net.

About The Inspiration Networks:

The Inspiration Networks includes cable TV networks INSP-The Inspiration Network, La Familia Cosmovision (LFC), Inspirational Life Television (i-Lifetv), and INI—Inspiration Network International (INI). INSP is carried on more than 2,500 U.S. cable systems serving 22 million households. i-Lifetv is a digital inspirational lifestyles network launched in June 1998 that currently serves over 10 million subscribers. La Familia Cosmovision is a digital network that features family-friendly programming for Hispanic families. INI is delivered direct to home, serving over 55+ million households in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Approximately 50 percent of INI's schedule is original and exclusive programming with programs for children, teens and the international family. INI features a blend of U.S. and European ministry programmers. The Inspiration Networks also operates a number of new media franchises including the premiere broadband portal for the inspirational market, "Inspiration.net," which features "Inspiration Now," a robust video player populated with an award-winning array of exclusive programs for teens, kids, and adults from The Inspiration Networks' linear networks, and other exclusive content. Inspiration.net features the only use of Brightcove's state-of-the-art broadband TV service for the inspirational market. Other new media franchises include "Inspiration Video on Demand," the first inspirational video on demand platform for cable television delivery, and "Inspiration Mobile," delivering inspirational content directly to mobile phone handsets.