CMT REVEALS FINALISTS FOR "VIDEO OF THE YEAR," THE BIGGEST AWARD OF THE NIGHT, FOR THE "2016 CMT MUSIC AWARDS"

NASHVILLE - June 8, 2016 -With just a few hours until show time, CMT today revealed the finalists for the highly coveted 'Video of the Year' award at the "2016 CMT Music Awards," the loudest night in country music. Fan votes narrowed the pack down to Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Tim McGraw. If Underwood wins she will maintain her record of most "Video of the Year" wins, with seven won, five won consecutively.

Voting is now open at CMT.com for these six finalists and voting will continue through the live show. Hosted by Erin Andrews and J.J. Watt, "2016 CMT Music Awards" will broadcast LIVE from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena tonight, June 8th at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

2016 VIDEO OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

� Blake Shelton - "Sangria"

� Carrie Underwood - "Smoke Break"

� Chris Stapleton - "Fire Away"

� Luke Bryan - "Strip It Down"

� Thomas Rhett - "Die A Happy Man"

� Tim McGraw - "Humble and Kind"

Music's biggest stars will be on stage tonight including Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett. Collaborations include Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus and Cheap Trick, Dierks Bentley and Elle King, Fifth Harmony and Cam, Keith Urban with special guests Brett Eldredge and Marren Morris; and Pitbull with Leona Lewis and Cassadee Pope. New acts Brothers Osborne, LOCASH, Maren Morris and Michael Ray will perform on the Firestone stage.

Presenters include actors Vince Vaughn, Rob Riggle and Billy Gardell and Chad Michael Murray ( both from CMT's forthcoming "Million Dollar Quartet");radio personality Bobby Bones; CMT personality Cody Alan; NASCAR driver Danica Patrick; country artists Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Chris Janson Cole Swindell, Dan+Shay, Kellie Pickler and Kelsea Ballerini; pop singer Leona Lewis as well as actors Joey Lauren Adams and Madison Iseman from the new CMT series "Still The King," which premieres June 12.

Tickets to the "2016 CMT Music Awards" are still available at Ticketmaster.

Follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram, use hashtag #CMTawards and like the CMT Music Awards on Facebook.

About CMT

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 Mobile and CMT VOD.