CMT and Clear Channel Media To Partner; Cody Alan Named "After MidNite" Host

CMT and Clear Channel Media have joined forces to develop programming and events for its TV, radio, and digital properties. The new partnership will create the largest Country platform in radio and TV, with access to CMT’s 92 million households and Clear Channel’s 89 million listeners per month. The venture will allow cross-promotional opportunities across Clear Channel’s 125 stations in 105 markets and on iHeartRadio, the company’s free digital music service that recently reached the 40 million users mark, as well as on CMT’s multiple properties, including CMT Pure, CMT.com, and to the network’s seven million social media fans.
“I like to think there was an inevitability to this partnership,” said Brian Philips, President of CMT. “We know CCM+E’s leadership and we share their excitement and tenacity in working with music and talent to bring the most exciting entertainment to all of these platforms. On a personal note, I am ecstatic to once again work with former colleagues John Sykes and Tom Poleman, among CCM+E’s many forward-thinking creative executives. Country is enjoying a big moment. Clear Channel and CMT will capture it, celebrate it and spread the excitement across America to hundreds of millions.”
“We’re excited to join with CMT in this multi-faceted alliance, which will create one of the most powerful platforms in Country music,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “By leveraging our combined national broadcast, digital and event content, we’ll now have the opportunity to reach even more Country fans than ever before and provide even more unique experiences with music and artists, while also delivering unmatched results for our partners.
As a result of the new partnership, CMT radio personality Cody Alan has been named the new host of Premiere Networks’ syndicated show After MidNite, which has been rebranded as CMT After Midnite With Cody Alan. He’ll make his debut on the new show Jan. 6th. The program celebrated its 20th year this year and reaches nearly two million weekly listeners on its over 200 stations, and will now be available on iHeartRadio. The show will originate from CMT Radio studio in Nashville.
“I feel like Jimmy Fallon right now!,” said Alan. “To be named host of such a highly regarded late-night franchise is an exciting and humbling honor. We’ll bring new energy, lots of star power and deep resources only CMT and Clear Channel can deliver. And with this new partnership, I can’t wait to give fans 360-degrees of country music coverage, across multiple media platforms.”
Premiere will be the exclusive distribution partner for CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Premiere will handle all syndication and sales for the program. Details for a one-hour weekend program hosted by Alan will be announced later.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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