CMT Launches "Nashville Star" Themed Weekend with John Rich, Jewel and Jeffrey Steele on Saturday, June 6

NASHVILLE, June 3, 2008 – CMT will feature NASHVILLE STAR judges John Rich, Jewel and Jeffrey Steele in a themed weekend to promote new episodes of the weekly music competition series on Saturday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. All weekend long, Rich, Jewel and Steele will have fun introducing such CMT programs as the popular series CAN YOU DUET, CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN, MOBILE HOME DISASTER and TRICK MY TRUCK, and talk about the upcoming season of NASHVILLE STAR which premieres on NBC and re-airs on CMT the following week.

Now in its sixth season, NASHVILLE STAR features country music superstar Billy Ray Cyrus as host, and premieres on NBC Monday, June 9 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT with the best and worst of casting, performances by the top 12 and the first elimination. CMT will rebroadcast the series beginning Saturday, June 14 at 4:00 p.m., ET/PT (the series begins its regularly scheduled timeslot on CMT Friday, June 20 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT).

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In addition to the themed weekend, CMT will promote the series across its multiple channels and digital platforms, including CMT.com, CMT Radio and such networks as CMT Pure Country and MHD, MTV Networks’ high-definition channel. CMT INSIDER will go behind-the-scenes at the live tapings each week for in-depth, exclusive coverage, interviews, news and more.

"Nashville Star" is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC’s “The Office”), Howard T. Owens ("American Gladiators"), Mark Koops ("The Biggest Loser") and Sallyann Salsano ("Design Star," "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila") serve as executive producers. Jon Small (“Garth Brooks Live in LA”) is a producer.

CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is 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.

Source: CMT