CMT & iHeart Extend, Re-Up Alan, McDonald
• CMT and iHeartMedia have renewed their partnership and inked a multi-year extension that keeps intact one of the world’s largest Country music platforms spanning radio, television, digital and social. Under the renewed agreement, Premiere Networks and CMT will continue their exclusive distribution and production partnership for CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, heard weeknights from midnight-6am and CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, weeknights from 7-midnight. Cody Alan has also re-upped as host of both programs as well as CMT’s weekly flagship series, CMT Hot 20 Countdown, and Ashlee McDonald, Executive Producer of CMT Radio Content and Programming Partnerships, has also extended her agreement.
“Extending and expanding our partnership with CMT and Cody Alan was a no-brainer,” said Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks. “The combination of our broadcast, digital, social and event platforms provides country fans with unparalleled access to their favorite music and artists, while delivering incredible reach and results for our partners. We look forward to sharing many more years of success.”
McDonald stated, “We’ve had an incredible long-standing alliance with iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership, further strengthening our combined position as the top Country music platform across all mediums. Cody Alan is a first-class talent and one of the most recognizable names in radio, and we’re excited to have him continue to bring together a nationwide audience directly from the heart of Nashville.”
The extension also includes a new on-air feature devoted to CMT’s Next Women of Country initiative, spotlighting music from a different female artist each month. CMT’s Next Women of Country: Artist of the Month debuted January 1 with CMT Breakout Artist of the Year, Ashley McBryde. The feature includes new music, and a dedicated interview with Alan that will air each Wednesday throughout the month on CMT After MidNite and CMT Radio Live, plus weekly social media promotion. Pictured, (l-r): Cody Alan; Julie Talbott, MCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt and Ashlee McDonald.
