CMT's HIT SERIES "THE SINGING BEE" FINISHES FIRST SEASON WITH BACK-TO-BACK NEW EPISODES

Karaoke-style Singing Competition Finale Airs Saturday, August 15

NASHVILLE � August 10, 2009 � CMT's highest-rated series debut, THE SINGING BEE, will conclude its first season with two back-to-back all-new one-hour episodes Saturday, August 15 beginning at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT.

Starring comedic actress Melissa Peterman as host, the series premiered to a .75 rating among P18-49 and ratings remained consistently high throughout the season. Blending a mix of 60 percent country music with 40 percent popular favorites from other genres, the series tests contestants' knowledge of lyrics to well-known songs and those who fail to accurately sing the correct lyrics are eliminated from the competition.

Peterman, who starred in the hit comedy, "Reba", is from Minneapolis, Minn. She has appeared on television in many shows including, "Surviving Surburbia," "Rita Rocks," "Just Shoot Me," the ABC pilot "Cedric," and the Fox pilot "Living with Abandon." Peterman has done voiceovers for "The Pitts" and "American Dad." She recently starred in the independent comedy feature, "Dirty Politics." Additionally, she opened for Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson on their "2 Worlds, 2 Voices" Tour. A familiar face on CMT, Peterman hosted the series CMT COMEDY STAGE and the special REDNECK DREAMS for the network. She is committed to many charities including Muhammad Ali's "Celebrity Fight Night," Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross, and the non-profit Buzzworks Theatre Company. She is represented by APA and manager Darris Hatch.

THE SINGING BEE is produced by The Gurin Company and JUMA Entertainment. Executive Producers are Bob Horowitz and Phil Gurin. Co-Executive Producers are Lewis Fenton and Brennan Huntington. Claire McCabe along with Bob Kusbit and John Hamlin serve as executive producers for CMT.

About CMT

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.

About The Gurin Company

The Gurin Company is a globally focused, full-service independent production company that produces, develops and distributes television properties with worldwide appeal. A brand synonymous with quality series and specials, The Gurin Company's current projects include "Miss USA," "Singing Bee" and the upcoming "First & Last." The Gurin Company enjoys relationships with top Hollywood talent as well as distributors and broadcasters around the world.

About Juma Entertainment

Juma Entertainment was created in 2005 when Bob Horowitz, then head of IMG's U.S. television arm, left the global sports and entertainment management firm to form his media company. With offices on both coasts, Juma Entertainment has quickly emerged as an industry leader in cross-platform show creation, media consulting and program packaging, as well as in the staging and televising of made-for-TV events. Its current roster of projects and credits include: "The Superstars" (ABC), "The Singing Bee" (CMT), "Tattoo Highway" (A&E), "Double Exposure" (BRAVO), "Fashion Rocks" (CBS), "Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials" (CBS), "Deer Valley Celebrity Skifest" (CBS), "Video Games Superstars" (CBS), Chevy Super Bowl Ad Challenge (CBS.com),"Battle of the Network Reality Stars" (BRAVO), "Shoot Your Age" (CBS), and "Reality All-Star Reunion" (BRAVO).