CBS Radio Snubs CMA Awards Coverage
CBS Radio stations are withdrawing from the upcoming CMA Awards radio remotes, MusicRow has confirmed. CBS-TV was in a bidding war against ABC and NBC for broadcast rights to the CMA Awards. The Hollywood Reporter has predicted that CMA is renewing its longstanding contract with ABC, much to the dismay of the other networks, which could explain the CBS backlash. Possibly related is the CMA Board resignation this week of VP/ CBS Country Programming Operations, KMLE/Phoenix Jeff Garrison.
CMA and CBS have a decades-long relationship, with the Awards airing on that network from 1972-2005.
The radio remotes are part of Premiere Radio’s coverage of the CMA Awards, which typically includes a preview special, red carpet coverage, live broadcast of the Awards telecast, live post-Awards broadcast with the winners, and a look-back special.
CBS Radio’s country stations, many of which are major market signals, include:
WDSY-FM/Pittsburgh, PA
KMPS-FM/Seattle, WA
KFRG-FM/Riverside, CA
KILT-FM/Houston, TX
KMLE-FM/Phoenix, AZ
KNCI-FM/Sacramento, CA
KXFG-FM/Riverside, CA
WYCD-FM/Detroit, MI
WUSN-FM/Chicago, IL
WSOC-FM/Charlotte, NC
WQYK-FM/Tampa, FL
WIRK-FM/West Palm Beach, FL
