CMT, the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCM+E), the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any radio or television outlet, today announced a multi-platform partnership that will create the largest country music platforms in radio and television, with access to CMT's reach of 92 million households and CCM+E's reach of 89 million country music listeners per month.
Under the agreement,
CMT and CCM+E will work together to develop additional programming and events across radio, television and digital platforms to provide country fans with unparalleled access to the music and artists they're passionate about. Additionally, the partnership will allow for cross-promotional opportunities across 125 Clear Channel country stations in 105 markets and on iHeartRadio, Clear Channel's free, industry leading digital music service which recently surpassed 40 million registered users and 260 million downloads, as well
CMT and its digital platforms which include the
24/7 music channel
CMT Pure, CMT.com,
CMT Mobile and the network's more than seven million fans across social media.
In addition, award-winning country radio and
CMT personality Cody Alan will debut as the new host of Premiere Networks'
Syndicated radio program After MidNite on January 6, 2014. The highly-acclaimed country music radio program, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and reaches nearly two million weekly listeners on more than 200 radio stations, will be rebranded as
CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan and will originate from the
CMT Radio studio in
Nashville and be available on iHeartRadio.
Premiere will also be the exclusive distribution partner for
CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, effective January 1, 2014. Premiere will handle all syndication and ad sales for the award-winning nightly program, which features the biggest hits in country music, as well as exclusive interviews and performances, event coverage and live fan interaction.
CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan broadcasts weeknights from 7 p.m. to midnight ET. For more information, visit www.cmtcody.com. Alan will also host a one-hour weekend program, the details of which will be announced at a later date.
Alan, the 2013 Academy of Country Music Award winner for "National On-Air Personality of the Year," stated, "I feel like Jimmy Fallon right now! To be named host of such a highly regarded late-night franchise is an exciting and humbling honor. We'll bring new energy, lots of star power and deep resources only
CMT and Clear Channel can deliver. And with this new partnership, I can't wait to give fans 360-degrees of country music coverage, across multiple media platforms."
"I like to think there was an inevitability to this partnership," stated Brian Philips, President of CMT. "We know CCM+E's leadership and we share their excitement and tenacity in working with music and talent to bring the most exciting entertainment to all of these platforms. On a personal note, I am ecstatic to once again work with former colleagues John Sykes and Tom Poleman, among CCM+E's many forward-thinking creative executives. Country is enjoying a big moment. Clear Channel and
CMT will
Capture it, celebrate it and spread the excitement across America to hundreds of millions."
"We're excited to join with
CMT in this multi-faceted alliance, which will create one of the most powerful platforms in country music," said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. "By leveraging our combined national broadcast, digital and event content, we'll now have the opportunity to reach even more country fans than ever before and provide even more unique experiences with music and artists, while also delivering unmatched results for our partners. We're also excited to work with someone of Cody's caliber. He's a household name in the country music industry, and his energy, passion and charm make him the ideal host to connect our audience across these incredible platforms."
Alan will serve as executive producer, with Dingo O'Brien as supervising producer, of
CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, along with producer Curt Miller. Alan and O'Brien will also continue to oversee production of
CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan with producer Cory Linton, in collaboration with Clay Hunnicutt, Executive
Vice President of Programming for CCM+E and Justin Cole, Director of Country Programming for Premiere Networks.
About Cody Alan
As the host and executive producer of
CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, Alan is undoubtedly one of the most recognized names in radio. Broadcast on radio stations across America and originating from the
CMT studio in Nashville, his show features the biggest names in country music and entertainment. With live interaction, Alan connects fans with their favorite stars, from the red carpet to backstage. Combining his passion for entertainment with television, he also serves as host of CMT's signature music show, Hot 20 Countdown, seen Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00/10:00c. He co-hosts CMT's weekend show, #1 Music and a Movie, and is a fixture at the industry's biggest events and awards shows. Alan landed his first radio job at age 15, and made waves breaking Texas music at 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas, helping the station earn the designation as the #1 country station in America at the time. He has received numerous national awards including "DJ of the Year" from Country Radio Broadcasters, the Academy of Country Music's 2010 and 2013 "National On-Air Personality of the Year" and Radio and Records "Music Director of the Year" five times, while Billboard magazine and the Radio Music Awards honored him with the annual title as well. Cody is a regular columnist for Country Weekly magazine, and has been a contributor on
E! News, CNN, HLN, Anderson Cooper Live and in People Country. Follow him on Twitter @CMTCody or visit www.CMTCody.com.
About CMT
CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S.
CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel,
CMT Pure Country,
CMT Mobile and
CMT VOD.
About Premiere Networks
Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,000 radio affiliations and reaches over 190 million listeners weekly. Premiere is the number one audio content provider in the country and features
The Following personalities: Rush Limbaugh, Ryan Seacrest, Glenn Beck, Delilah, Steve Harvey, George Noory, John Boy and Billy, Sean Hannity, Elvis Duran, Randi Rhodes, Nikki Sixx, Kane, Andy Dean, Mario Lopez, Bobby
Bones and others. For more information, please visit www.PremiereRadio.com or
http://www.facebook.com/PremiereRadio.
About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
With 243 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media & Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media & Entertainment serves 150 markets through 840 owned radio stations, and the company's radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company's radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on iPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems. iHeartRadio, Clear Channel's digital radio platform, is the No. 1 all-in-one digital audio service with over 260 million downloads; it reached its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in Internet history.
The company's operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media & Entertainment is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at ClearChannel.com.
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