CMT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO PRODUCE ITS FIRST-EVER MUSIC VIDEO FOR AN ARTIST

Network to Finance and Produce Music Video for Indie Artist Chris Janson's Summer Anthem "Buy Me A Boat"

NASHVILLE - April 16, 2015 - CMT announced today it would - for the first time in its history - finance and produce a music video for an artist. At a CMT event today in Nashville, the brand announced it will produce the music video for Chris Janson's summer anthem, "Buy Me A Boat," with plans to add the video to heavy rotation. The single shot to #1 on the iTunes Country Songs Chart last month after just a few spins on the nationally-syndicated Bobby Bones Show.

"Music discovery and connecting independent artists with fans is one of our core tenants," said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy for CMT. "We're thrilled that Chris' talents are being recognized and CMT can bring this song to life in a music video."

CMT has long been a champion of music discovery, and just last week announced its first-ever "Next Women of Country Tour." Franchises like "CMT Listen Up" and "Live @ CMT" continue to serve as a place where unsigned, indie and emerging acts can connect with new fans.

Unsigned, independent artist Chris Janson made headlines when "Buy Me A Boat" sailed high at iTunes landing at #1 on the Country and #7 on the all genre charts. A formidable songwriter in his own right, Janson co-wrote the song with Chris Dubois, who has penned many #1 songs. Janson brings his blue-collar, working-class, boot-stomping hillbilly redneck attitude to every live performance, earning him opening slots for Florida Georgia Line, music legends Merle Haggard and Hank Williams Jr., as well as over 90 appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. The talented songwriter began writing at just 18 with an impressive group of musicians from the likes of Guns N' Roses to the esteemed Larry Gatlin, and co-wrote Tim McGraw's highest chart debut of his career, "Truck Yeah." The Perryville, Missouri native first broke onto the music scene when he landed a year long, four-show-a-day gig at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Nashville's Lower Broadway. Janson is currently focusing on a heavy summer touring season and writing songs for his debut album. For more information and tour dates visit: www.chrisjanson.com.

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.