'Nashville Star' Celebrates Record Ratings for Season Five Finale and Show Veterans Miranda Lambert and Chris Young Garner a Combined Three ACM Nominations Including Top New Male And Female Vocalists

Miranda Lambert's Debut Album 'Kerosene' Also Reaches 1 Million Albums Sold

LOS ANGELES, March 6 -- On the heels of record-breaking ratings, "Nashville Star" is celebrating the success of show veterans Miranda Lambert and Chris Young, who earned ACM Nominations today for Top Female Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Male Vocalist. Additionally, Miranda Lambert, who recently earned her first Grammy nomination, just achieved Platinum status for her debut CD "Kerosene."

"The past week has signified everything we hoped to achieve with 'Nashville Star,'" said executive producer Ben Silverman. "The show resonates with television viewers and country music fans because it produces stars and we couldn't be prouder of Miranda, Chris or our newest star Angela Hacker."

Last Thursday more than 3 million viewers tuned in to USA Network as season five winner Angela Hacker beat her baby brother Zac Hacker to win the title of "Nashville Star" and thereby earn a record deal with Warner Bros. Nashville, a brand new Chevy truck and the chance to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. For the single mother of an 8-year-old son, this was Angela's dream come true and an incredible rags-to-riches story for both her and her brother. Angela's CD will be released on April 3.

The season finale of "Nashville Star" was the #1 most watched program in basic cable primetime with an 11% increase from last year's finale among adults 18-49 (1.4 MM) and strong numbers among adults 25-54 (1.4 MM), total viewers (3.0 MM) and households (2.24 cvg rating). The season five finale was the only program of the night to deliver more than 1 million adults 25-54 and more than 3 million total viewers. Additionally, the fifth season was the most watched among adults 18-34.

NASHVILLE STAR is created by Reveille and executive produced by Ben Silverman ("The Biggest Loser," "The Office") and H.T. Owens ("The Restaurant," "30 Days"). Jeff Boggs will executive produce in association with Reveille. Todd Lubin ("30 Days," "Black.White") serves as co-executive producer. The show is produced by Jon Small ("Garth Brooks Live From Central Park," "Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium") and his production company, Picture Vision, alongside co-executive producer Mark Koops ("The Restaurant," "Blow Out").

Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Launched in March of 2002 by Ben Silverman, the company produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the Emmy Award-winning "The Office" (NBC), which has also received two Television Critics Association Awards; "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Ugly Betty" (ABC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Nashville Star" (USA); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is also the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille's growing library of programming is distributed to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company maintains offices in Los Angeles and New York.

USA Network is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 3Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

SOURCE USA Network
http://www.usanetwork.com