CMT RADIO NETWORK AND WESTWOOD ONE ANNOUNCE NEW SYNDICATED NIGHTLY RADIO SHOW, “CMT RADIO LIVE WITH CODY ALAN”
11/10/08
Veteran Radio Personality Cody Alan to Host Nightly Country Radio Broadcast Live From Nashville Beginning January 2009
CMT RADIO LIVE to Launch in Over 50 Markets With Support from Cumulus Media
NASHVILLE – November 10, 2008 – CMT Radio Network and Westwood One have announced CMT RADIO LIVE WITH CODY ALAN, the new syndicated nightly country entertainment radio show that will launch nationally in over 50 markets in January 2009. Hosted by veteran country music DJ and Program Director, Cody Alan, CMT RADIO LIVE will air weeknights from 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. EST, live from CMT’s state-of-the-art radio studio in downtown Nashville.
CMT RADIO LIVE will feature not only the latest country music hits along with classic favorites, but also exclusive interviews and performances, on-location event coverage and live fan interaction via call-ins, emails and instant messaging. In addition, a section on CMT.com will feature CMT RADIO LIVE, highlighting each night's show with guest profiles, photos, exclusive interviews and more. Cody Alan will also blog on the website and Westwood One will offer tools for CMT RADIO LIVE affiliates to use on their websites so listeners can become part of the show.
"We have all been overwhelmed by industry interest and demand for this show, which began when the project was merely a rumor!" said Brian Philips, executive vice president and general manager for CMT. "Imagine how proud we are to launch this show with my great (former KPLX "The Wolf", Dallas/FW) colleague, Cody Alan, behind the mic. This show will benefit from all of CMT's deep creative resources and many talented friends. Our goal is to make CMT's Nashville studios an important new hub for superb country radio."
“This is all about the power of great partnerships and great brands,” said Max Krasny, senior vice president entertainment for Westwood One. “Combining the creative assets of CMT, Westwood One’s country radio heritage and Cody’s unique style and delivery provides our radio partners like Cumulus exciting programming that attracts and entertains country music fans.”
“I’m looking forward to bringing the CMT brand to life on the radio! And, I am thrilled to work with Brian Philips again,” said Alan. “We have big plans to deliver an entertaining, dynamic and innovative show to the country audience every night.”
Cumulus Media has signed on to broadcast CMT RADIO LIVE in over 40 markets nationally, helping the show launch in over 50 markets in January.
“Bringing one of the country industry’s preeminent brands, CMT, to the daypart is going to change the competitive landscape in every market,” said John Dickey, chief operating officer for Cumulus Media.
Cody Alan is a respected veteran personality in the radio industry. After stints in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, Alan made it to the major leagues at age 23 when he landed a gig at KPLX/99.5 The Wolf in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Along the way, Alan has received numerous national awards including DJ of the Year from Country Radio Broadcasters, with his most recent nomination from the Academy of Country Music. Nominated for Radio Music Awards Air Personality of the Year, Alan has been honored at the Grand Ole Opry, seen on CMT, featured in USA Today and GQ magazine. Alan was also named Radio and Records Music Director of the Year five times, while Billboard magazine and the Radio Music Awards honored Alan with the annual title. Alan will relocate to Nashville from Salt Lake City, Utah where he is currently the afternoon host and program director at KEGA/101.5 The Eagle.
The CMT Radio Network is a broadcasting partner to Westwood One and seeks to provide the most complete coverage of music and entertainment news available to country radio stations around the United States and has over 160 active affiliates. Stations interested in airing CMT RADIO LIVE WITH CODY ALAN or interested in becoming a CMT Radio Network affiliate should contact Westwood One.
CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 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.
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
Westwood One delivers more country music programming than any other radio network. In addition to CMT Radio Live, Westwood One’s country music lineup includes CMT Radio Network, CMT Radio Insider, Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton, The Country 6-pack music series, America’s Grand Ole Opry Weekend, Stars of Country, and more. Westwood One is also a partner of the Academy of Country Music Awards and produces a live remote broadcast from the event each year. Westwood One’s country music programming airs on over 2000 stations nationwide in more than 200 markets.
Westwood One (NYSE: WON) is the largest independent provider of network radio programming and the largest provider of traffic information in the U.S. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio and TV stations in the U.S. The Company provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk and entertainment programs, features and live events to numerous media partners. Through its Metro Networks division, Westwood provides traffic reporting and local news, sports and weather to over 2,200 radio and TV stations. The Company also provides digital and other cross platform delivery of its network and Metro content. For more information please visit www.westwoodone.com.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Natasha Powell 615-335-8412 natasha.powell@cmt.com
Peter Sessa 212-641-2053 peter_sessa@westwoodone.com
