KENNY CHESNEY TOPS CMT AND CMT.COM WITH AN EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE EVENT OF THE SHORT FILM FOR HIS NEW SINGLE “YOU SAVE ME”
08/17/06
Over 5 Million Viewers Tuned in for Premiere and Repeat Telecasts of CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN
Chesney Dominates CMT.com as the Top Streaming Video on CMT Loaded
NASHVILLE – August 17, 2006 – In the network’s largest multi-platform, multi-brand premiere event, CMT gave Kenny Chesney top billing for his groundbreaking nine-minute video “You Save Me.” More than 5.2 million viewers* tuned in to catch the short film on the week’s telecasts of CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN. In addition, Chesney dominated CMT.com over the weekend with the No. 1 video resulting in a 90 percent increase in traffic to Chesney’s featured artist pages on CMT.com.
“This is how country’s biggest hits are created,” said Brian Philips, EVP and general manager, CMT. “Kenny is a terrific role model for the industry, because his imagination and creativity know no boundaries. The integrated promotion across CMT and our digital extensions resulted in a very loud buzz around this mesmerizing innovative film piece.”
“I have to applaud Kenny and Shaun Silva for having the vision to make this mini-feature and then the ability to deliver a piece of this magnitude. CMT has done an outstanding job delivering Kenny to his fans, and Kenny has once again set the bar for the industry,” said Joe Galante, chairman, Sony BMG.
As part of CMT’s continuing strategy to offer country music on every screen, the video bowed on CMT Loaded at CMT.com; URGE, MTV Network’s digital music service and MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network’s new high-definition network. Fans were able to catch a 30-second preview on CMT Loaded at CMT.com or via CMT Mobile.
CMT is the only country music network in the unique position to deliver world premiere exclusives to fans on demand, on multiple platforms. Chesney is among several top country artists, including Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins and Brooks & Dunn, who have partnered exclusively with CMT on music video premieres.
CMT goes behind-the-scenes for a look at the creative process behind Chesney’s new video when MAKING THE VIDEO: KENNY CHESNEY “YOU SAVE ME” premieres Monday, August 21 at 2:00-2:30 p.m., ET/PT.
Visit Loaded at CMT.com to see the short film in its entirety.
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 83 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.cmt.com.
*Nielsen Media Research – 5.2 million viewers (cumulative P2+) tuned in to CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN between Thursday, August 10 and Sunday, August 13.
# # #
PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Murphy 615-335-8408 amanda.murphy@cmt.com
