CMT backed up a strong night for its music awards franchise, with a series high for its top series, Party Down South.

The reality show, documenting the personal, professional and partying prowess of a group of eight over-age housemates reunited this season in Athens, Ga., notched 1.25 million watchers for its 10 p.m. premiere and immediate encore on June 5, according to Nielsen live + same-day data.

Moreover, the sophomore season return of Murray, Lyle, Daddy, Walt, Lil Bit, Mattie, Lauren and Tiffany averaged a 0.67 persons 18-to-49 live + same-day rating, a 75% bump from its rookie campaign.

Wednesday night saw the 2014 CMT Music Awards average 3 million viewers. The 13th annual show was up 10% from its 2013 predecessor, and now stands as the franchise’s second-best delivery ever, behind the 3.04 million who tuned in the 2010 edition.

The 2014 CMT Music Awards posted a 1.39 live + same-day rating against persons18 to 49, up 7% from last year, and ranked as the top original cable telecast for the day. Across primetime, CMT ranked as the top cable network among persons and women 18 to 49 and viewers, gauged on the aforementioned measure.

Hosted for the third year in a row by Kristen Bell, the 2014 CMT Music Awards featured a number of memorable collaborations, including a mashup with Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Jason Derulo and ZZ Top;