iHeartMedia, CMT Expand Content Partnership

Cody Alan

CMT and iHeartMedia have announced their renewed partnership and multi-year extension that keeps intact one of the world’s largest country music platforms spanning radio, television, digital and social. In addition to the content partnership renewal, iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks will support CMT’s Next Women of Country artists with a new syndicated programming element airing weekly.

Under the renewed agreement, Premiere Networks and CMT will continue their exclusive distribution and production partnership for two syndicated radio programs, “CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan” and “CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan,” broadcasting weeknights from midnight to 6 a.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight., respectively. The popular programs are distributed across nearly 230 stations nationally, in addition to dedicated digital stations on iHeartRadio.

Additionally, award-winning country radio host, producer and CMT personality Cody Alan has signed on to continue as host of both programs. The deal also extends Alan’s hosting duties for CMT’s weekly flagship series, “CMT Hot 20 Countdown.” Ashlee McDonald, Executive Producer of CMT Radio Content and Programming Partnerships, has also extended her agreement.

“We’ve had an incredible long-standing alliance with iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership, further strengthening our combined position as the top country music platform across all mediums,” shares McDonald. “Cody Alan is a first-class talent and one of the most recognizable names in radio, and we’re excited to have him continue to bring together a nationwide audience directly from the heart of Nashville.”

“Extending and expanding our partnership with CMT and Cody Alan was a no-brainer,” said Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks. “The combination of our broadcast, digital, social and event platforms provides country fans with unparalleled access to their favorite music and artists, while delivering incredible reach and results for our partners. We look forward to sharing many more years of success.”

The deal extension includes a new on-air feature devoted to CMT’s Next Women of Country initiative, and will spotlight music from a different female artist each month. CMT’s Next Women of Country: Artist of the Month debuted on January 1, 2020 with CMT Breakout Artist of the Year, Ashley McBryde. The feature includes new music, and a dedicated interview with Alan that will play each Wednesday throughout the month on “CMT After MidNite” and “CMT Radio Live,” plus weekly social media promotion. To watch Ashley McBryde’s interview with Cody Alan, listen HERE.

“The expansion of our radio partnership to include the Next Women of Country programming feature illustrates our joint commitment to breaking new female artists,” said McDonald. “Broadcast radio gives an artist the opportunity to impact the country with new music and projects, and we take great pride in giving these up-and-coming artists’ songs the chance to be heard.”