KELLIE PICKLER AND CMT'S LANCE SMITH HOST THE "2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE SPECIAL"

Pickler and Smith Present the Final Nominees for the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS On Tuesday, May 19

NASHVILLE � May 6, 2009 � For the first time, CMT will be interrupting their regularly scheduled programming to present the final nominees for the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS with the 2009 CMT Music Awards Nominee Special on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 � 10:30 a.m., ET/PT. This thirty-minute special, hosted by 2008 USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR winner Kellie Pickler and CMT's Lance Smith, features the music and videos of country music's elite as decided by fan voting. The special will simulcast on cmt.com and a version will be available on CMT Mobile.

Country music's biggest stars will rock Nashville's Sommet Center when the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Tuesday, June 16 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com with performances by Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and British rockers Def Leppard.

Fan voting for the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS began on April 13 and continues through May 11, only at CMT.com, where fans will select the top nominees in each of the categories. On Tuesday, May 19, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the categories, except VIDEO OF THE YEAR. Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through June 15 to determine the winners of the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS. The final nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can vote at CMT.com and via text on their Verizon Wireless phones throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner.

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 88 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.

*EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: The 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will now premiere LIVE on Tuesday, June 16 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed).