CMT RACKS UP RECORD NUMBERS IN 2005

01/03/06

CMT.com Grows 66% In Usage

NASHVILLE – January 3, 2006 – CMT boasts 2005 as its most watched year ever and the channel’s third consecutive record-breaking year; CMT’s 4Q05 finished as the channel’s 15th consecutive quarter of growth; and 2005 will finish as CMT’s "youngest" year, based on viewer median age. 

Additionally, 1Q05 was CMT’s highest rated and most-watched quarter ever, as measured by P18-49 impressions. The channel is now available in nearly 79 million American homes and should cross the 80 million mark in early 2006. CMT.com remains the world's No.1 online source for country music, growing a whopping 66% in usage from 2004.

“CMT's fast, exciting ride continues, and we are proud to add to the record successes of our parent company, MTV Networks and Films, and the New Viacom" says Brian Philips, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CMT.  “We're grateful to the stars whose talents have elevated CMT.  We're also happy to deliver more young, upscale, active viewers than ever. This is great news for the music business, as research proves these are the fans that break new artists and buy music and concert tickets.”

CMT generated a diverse array of programming successes in 2005. The 2005 CMT Music Awards premiered as both CMT’s highest rated telecast and most watched telecast ever, besting the channel's previously highest-rated commercial telecast ever by +35% (2003 FLAMEWORTHY Awards), and by +49% among P18-49 impressions. Other breakout successes for the year included 100 Greatest Duets, Crossroads: Bon Jovi & Sugarland, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: MAKING THE TEAM and Greatest NASCAR Moments. The year also contained CMT’s hugely successful "Dukes Ride Again" Weekend, kicking off the tongue-in-cheek re-launch of the pop culture favorite The Dukes of Hazzard, in February. The marathon drove CMT's highest rated week ever and helped make February the channel’s most watched month ever.

While 2005 saw great things for the network, 2006 promises to bring even more original and music-based programming – including the 2006 CMT Music Awards, the CMT debut of the 2006 Miss America Pageant,  the fifth season of Cowboy U, the songwriter-based Unsung Stories, and more episodes of the critically-acclaimed series CMT Crossroads. 2006 will also bring the much-anticipated  first original offerings from the new CMT Films division. In 2006, CMT will dramatically expand its new technology offerings in 2006, allowing fans to experience CMT on an unprecedented range of delivery platforms.

CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos.  Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 78.7 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.CMT.com.

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Press Contacts:      
Cindy McLean      615-335-8404      cindy.mclean@cmt.com
Lisa Chader       615-335-8405      lisa.chader@cmt.com


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