CMT Garners Big Ratings Week With ‘Nashville’ and ‘Sun Records’

Nashville continues to hold its own on its new home on CMT, drawing strong numbers for its most recent episode. The show attracted 3.1 million fans to score a 1.34 Adults 18-49 rating across premiere night airings on CMT and Nick at Nite, up nearly 20 percent from the previous week. The episode was particularly strong with women, notching a 2.20 rating with Women 25-54 and 1.79 with Women 18-49. On CMT alone, the episode earned a .73 Adults 18-49 rating, attracting nearly 2 million fans.

The highly anticipated premiere of Sun Records also got off to a strong start, giving the network its most watched night of CMT originals in the channel’s history. The premiere attracted nearly 3 million fans for a gross rating of .97 Adults 18-49 across premiere night airings on CMT, TV Land and Nick at Nite. The debut performed well with both adults and women garnering a 1.13 with Adults 25-54 and 1.32 with Women 25-54 and 1.15 with Women 18-49. On CMT, the premiere attracted 1.6 million fans and averaged a strong .52 Adults 18-49 rating. With adults the episode earned a .61 Adults 25-54 and .68 with Women 25-54 and .57 with Women 18-49.

The successful premieres come on the heels of overall ratings growth for the network, with original premieres on CMT pacing up 46 percent among Adults 18-49 and 73 percent among Women 18-49 versus a year ago. Total day ratings are up 27 percent with Adults 18-49 and 31 percent with Women 18-49.

“Our strategy of attracting new, diverse viewers by leaning into music-based storytelling is working,” said Brian Philips, President of CMT. “Not only did we convert Nashville viewers to Sun Records, fans, but we’re seeing a ratings lift across the entire schedule, proof that CMT is becoming a daily destination for new viewers.”

• Author
• Recent Posts

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.

Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)

• New Randy Travis Album ‘Same Old Way’ Slated For November - September 4, 2026
• Opry To Celebrate Vince Gill’s 35th Anniversary With Two Shows - September 4, 2026
• Americana Music Association Announces Performers For 25th Annual Honors & Awards Show - September 4, 2026