WORLD PREMIERE OF GEORGE STRAIT SPECIAL MAKES RATINGS HISTORY ON CMT
09/03/14
More than 4.1 Million Cumulative Viewers Tuned in for Premiere and Encore Airings
GEORGE STRAIT: THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY to Air Again This Weekend
NASHVILLE – September 3, 2014 – George Strait made history with the final date of his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour which shattered indoor concert attendance records for North America, and the world premiere of GEORGE STRAIT: THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY on Friday, August 29, chronicling that night, made history on CMT as it became the highest rated non-series standalone music special* on the network since July 2010**. The two-hour concert special drew more than 4.1 million cumulative viewers*** to the network on Friday, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 7 p.m. premiere averaged a .30 rating among P18-49 L+3, with 868,000 total viewers.
GEORGE STRAIT: THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY is a historical account told through the music from the superstar’s storied career. The special features new interviews with Strait, along with a selection of his incredible 60 No. 1 hits performed at the farewell tour, including “Fool Hearted Memory,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Check Yes Or No” and “The Cowboy Rides Away.” Joining George Strait onstage to perform some of his most-loved hits, the star-studded special includes performances with Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride. Strait’s son George “Bubba” Strait, Jr. also joined the stage to perform a song he penned for his dad, “Arkansas Dave.”
CMT will rebroadcast the special two times this weekend – on Saturday, September 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Sunday, September 7 at 9 a.m. ET/PT. Fans can also stream the special on-demand now at CMT.com and on the CMT App.
*excludes CMT MUSIC AWARDS and CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
** 7/11/2010 premiere of JIMMY BUFFET AND FRIENDS: LIVE FROM THE GULF COAST
***Nielsen Media Research (cume P2+ / 1-minute qualifier) includes two airings on Friday
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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, CMT.com and CMT Radio offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and are the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT App, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Cindy Finke 615-335-8404 cindy.finke@cmt.com
