Kicking off its summer slate with its new hit, Nashville, CMT is “gearing up for our biggest summer slate ever,” said Brian Philips, president of CMT.
Nashville, without star Connie Britton, will return to the network with the second half of season five on Thursday, June 1, followed by digital aftershow NashChat hosted by Amy Brown on CMT’s social channels.
The network’s other big scripted show, Still the King (trailer above), starring Billy Ray Cyrus and Joey Lauren Adams returns for its second season on Tuesday, July 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
The rest of the summer will be highlighted by music events and specials, said Philips. On Wednesday, June 7, Nashville star Charles Esten will host the 2017 CMT Music Awards. That will be followed by CMT Instant Jam, hosted by Brett Eldredge, on Friday, June 16. CMT Hot 20 Countdown will continue to air weekly every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. ET/PT.
CMT also will premiere the first-ever ever outdoor version of CMT Crossroads with Grammy-Award winners Earth Wind & Fire and Lady Antebellum on Friday, June 23 at 10pm ET/PT.
The network is bring back two unscripted series: I Love Kellie Pickler premieres its second season and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team returns for its 12th season on Thursday, August 3, at 10 and 11 p.m. ET/PT, after new episodes of Nashville.
It also will premiere docu-series To Joey, With Love on Wednesday, June 21, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The series, from Lionsgate’s Anchor Bay, tells the story of Joey and Rory Feek, who were named country music’s top vocal duo in 2010. During shooting, the couple had a daughter, Indiana, who was born with Down Syndrome, and Joey was diagnosed with and ultimately succumbed to cancer. Rory Feek wrote, filmed and directed the series, which was produced by Aaron Carnahan.
CMT has seen significant growth over the past few months, notching 21 consecutive weeks of year-over-year total day ratings growth among adults and women 18-49. Total day ratings are up among those groups by 19 and 25 percent, respectively.
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