CMT PACKS FALL LINEUP WITH NEW AND RETURNING MUSIC SERIES AND SPECIALS

Primetime Debuts Include New Franchise CMT INSTANT JAM, Critically-Acclaimed CMT CROSSROADS, INSIDE FAME and CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Superstars are Center Stage with Specials KENNY CHESNEY LIVE FROM THE FLORA-BAMA and CMT's Live CMA RED CARPET Coverage

NASHVILLE - September 26, 2014 - CMT is heading into Fall with more primetime music programming premieres than ever before with the announcement of the brand-new franchise CMT INSTANT JAM, three additional episodes of the hit bio-series INSIDE FAME, two new installments of the acclaimed CMT CROSSROADS, concert special from country superstar Kenny Chesney, and the return of CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR.

CMT kicks-off the CMT INSTANT JAM pop-up concert series with Kenny Chesney in Athens, Ga., followed by Florida Georgia Line in Nashville, Tenn. In each CMT INSTANT JAM, artists surprise fans with a small concert where they'll perform their biggest hits. Live music continues as CMT brings the television premiere of KENNY CHESNEY LIVE FROM THE FLORA-BAMA, his much-talked about concert held on the beach earlier this summer for 40,000+ fans.

CMT CROSSROADS remains at the heart of the network's music programming, adding another superstar pairing with John Legend and Lee Ann Womack premiering tonight; and another soon to be announced later this Fall. INSIDE FAME continues to profile country's most popular stars, with three all-new episodes highlighting Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum and Big & Rich over three weeks beginning Saturday, November 1. CMT rounds out the year with its fifth annual ARTISTS OF THE YEAR, honoring the top artists in country music during a live special in downtown Nashville.

CMT's fall music programming lineup includes:

NEW SERIES

CMT INSTANT JAM: KENNY CHESNEY

Premieres Saturday, September 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

In this all-new, pop-up concert series, country superstar Kenny Chesney surprises residents of Athens, GA with an intimate concert at the Georgia Theatre. Chesney will perform some of his greatest hits in addition to unveiling new songs from his upcoming album, "The Big Revival."

CMT INSTANT JAM: FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

Premieres Friday, October 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Country hit-making duo Florida Georgia Line surprises a small group of fans with a pop-up concert at Nashville's Exit/In. Select fans will be treated to songs from their upcoming album, Anything Goes, in addition to some of their hottest hits from their smash album, Here's To The Good Times.

NEW SPECIALS

CMA RED CARPET SPECIAL

Premieres, Wednesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. ET/PT

Hosted by CMT's Cody Alan and Katie Cook, the CMA RED CARPET SPECIAL brings fans all the excitement live as country music's biggest stars arrive for the 48th Annual CMA Awards show in Nashville. CMT hosts get the scoop straight from the night's big nominees and performers, including a first look as they trade in their cowboy boots for country couture on the star-studded red carpet.

KENNY CHESNEY LIVE FROM THE FLORA-BAMA

Premieres Friday, November 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Kenny Chesney throws a beach party like no other in the one-hour TV special, filmed live at his only concert of the year. More than 40,000 members of his No Shoes Nation packed the beaches where Florida and Alabama meet, where Chesney delivered a massive 32-song set to his fans for free at the Flora-Bama-Jama show. Filmed by director Shaun Silva, CMT brings the tank top, flip flop-laden concert to television in an exclusive world premiere event.

RETURNING SERIES AND SPECIALS

CMT CROSSROADS: JOHN LEGEND AND LEE ANN WOMACK

Premieres Friday, September 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend will team up with Grammy Award-winning country star Lee Ann Womack next month when CMT presents an all-new episode of CMT CROSSROADS. Legend and Womack will meet and collaborate for the first time on the CMT CROSSROADS stage.

INSIDE FAME: HUNTER HAYES

Premieres Saturday, November 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

A four-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, Hunter Hayes is a multi-talented performer, musician, producer and writer. At 23, he's amassed sales of more than nine million digital tracks worldwide, and earlier this year was named as one of Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30." CMT chronicles the life of the musical prodigy turned country music superstar in the one-hour special episode INSIDE FAME: HUNTER HAYES, featuring candid new interviews with Hayes about his passions and his sophomore album, "Storyline."

INSIDE FAME: LADY ANTEBELLUM

Premieres Saturday, November 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

INSIDE FAME: LADY ANTEBELLUM is the story and rise to fame of the seven-time Grammy-winning trio comprised of Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott. The one-hour special follows the group through the ups and downs and hard work of world-wide tours, four hit-filled albums and the pressures to push themselves out of their comfort zones as they continually challenge their approach to songwriting and recording. The show includes rare behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with Lady Antebellum, their families and fellow artists.

INSIDE FAME: BIG & RICH

Premieres Saturday, November 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Big & Rich exploded onto the country music scene in 2004, spawning four consecutive hits including their wildly popular single "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)." Now, a decade following their first album, the duo is prepping the release of their fifth studio album, "Gravity." With a new album and tour, Big & Rich is ready to reclaim their position as one of the most creative and innovative forces in country music. CMT's newest installment of INSIDE FAME: BIG & RICH recounts the rise to fame and the larger-than-life personas of John Rich and Big Kenny Alphin through all new interviews, never-before-seen footage, photos and more.

2014 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Premieres LIVE Tuesday, December 2 at 8 p.m. ET

CMT will celebrate a remarkable year in country music by honoring the five biggest artists of 2014 in the live 90-minute special, CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR. This year's five honorees will gather in Nashville alongside their peers and notable luminaries for an evening filled with rocking performances, surprise guests and cheers to the achievements of each CMT ARTIST OF THE YEAR.

CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT, CMT.com and CMT Radio offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and are the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT App, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.