ABC AND THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION EXTEND BROADCAST AGREEMENT

The New 10-Year Agreement Extends the Relationship Through 2021

The ABC Television Network and the Country Music Association have extended their broadcast agreement through 2021, it's been announced by ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. The new agreement assures broadcasts of the CMA franchises, including the "CMA Awards," the "CMA Festival: Country's Night to Rock" and the "CMA Country Christmas," for another decade.

"We are thrilled that the CMA and country music will continue to call ABC their home for the next 10 years. We have built an incredible partnership together, and that partnership will only grow stronger over the next decade," said Paul Lee.

"We value our partnership with ABC and their commitment to CMA and Country Music," said Steve Moore. "ABC has demonstrated a passion for the format and our television properties. We have seen the CMA Music Festival special grow to three hours, we have added a holiday special, 'CMA Country Christmas,' and our crown jewel, the 'CMA Awards,' has reached a new, enthusiastic audience."

"The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will air live on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

For the second consecutive year, "CMA Country Christmas," hosted by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, is scheduled to air THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. The two-hour television special, which is produced by CMA, will feature many of today's top Country artists performing traditional holiday favorites and sharing their personal holiday traditions. "CMA Country Christmas" will tape in front of a live audience on Thursday, November 10 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music's highest honor. More than 6,400 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization's objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA's core initiatives - the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry and air in November on the ABC Television Network; the CMA Music Festival, which benefits music education and is also taped for a three-hour special on ABC-TV; and CMA's latest ABC-TV property, "CMA Country Christmas," which features Country artists performing original music and holiday classics.

DISNEY/ABC TELEVISION GROUP

Formed in January 2009, the ABC Entertainment Group, comprised of ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, develops and produces compelling programming for broadcast on ABC, as well as across television and digital platforms. The Group has delivered some of the most successful, talked-about and revolutionary series on television, including "Desperate Housewives," "Once Upon a Time," "Grey's Anatomy," "Dancing with the Stars," "Last Man Standing" and "Wipeout." The ABC Television network is also home to some of the most prestigious awards shows, including The Academy Awards, The CMA Awards, The American Music Awards and The Billboard Awards.