Showtime and Paramount Network on December 4 will simulcast the first episode of the premium service’s limited series George & Tammy, Showtime said Friday.

The series, which chronicles the lives of country music power couple Tammy Wynette and George Jones, will debut on Paramount Network commercial free on December 4 at 9 p.m — after an episode of Yellowstone — as well as on Showtime. The remaining episodes of the six-part series will run exclusively on Showtime, the network said.

Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain and Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon will star in the limited series, created by Abe Sylvia and produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Freckle Films, Mad Chance, Brolin Productions, Aunt Sylvia’s Moving Picture Co. and Blank Films Inc.

The series is based on the book, The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, written by the couple’s daughter Georgette Jones, Showtime said. 

“Jessica and Michael are truly extraordinary as Tammy and George and their searing performances and undeniable chemistry bring to life the legendary relationship of the King and Queen of country music," Showtime and Paramount Media Networks president and CEO Chris McCarthy said. “The creators and the entire cast have delivered a series with the subtlety, nuance and complexity that are the hallmarks of the Showtime brand and what our viewers deserve and demand.”

George & Tammy is executive produced by Sylvia, Chastain, Andrew Lazar, Josh Brolin, Kelly Carmichael, David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, Bob Yari and John Hillcoat. ■

CBS on Monday (April 11) will air live the CMT Music Awards, which celebrate the best in country music, but the CMT cable network will keep the music playing with a week-long lineup of special awards programming leading up to its own re-airing of the event.

The move of the CMT Music Awards show to CBS and Paramount Plus from CMT is expected to provide more audience exposure for the event as well as for the CMT brand, according to Margaret Comeaux, CMT VP of production, music & events. This year’s award show, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, will feature performances by Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood and The Judds. Kenny Chesney is set to close the show.

“We get to be in front of hopefully a bigger audience who will experience it and see what we’re doing,” Comeaux told Multichannel News. “We’ve had a great response to our show in years past on CMT, and I think we’re hoping for the same thing on CBS.”

Also: Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert to Perform at CMT Music Awards 

Despite not having the live telecast, CMT will look to build viewer momentum for its April 15 extended cut CMT Music Awards rebroadcast -- which will feature additional performances -- with a week-long lineup of CMT Awards-themed programming, Comeaux said. Prior to the live CMT Music Awards event, the network’s first-ever “CMT Music Awards Week” will feature an April 9 Hot 20 Countdown Live special as well as an April 11 Red Carpet special. 

After the live show, the network will air several specials, including CMT Storytellers: Brooks & Dunn (premiering April 13) and CMT Crossroads: Leann Rimes & Friends (April 14). 

Comeaux said she expects the CMT Music Awards to draw additional viewers through CBS, although she would not project viewership numbers. “Our awards show is so focused on the fans, so we view this as their night,” she said. “I'm very enthusiastic about what's gonna happen, and I think the audience is really gonna love it.” ■

CBS salutes country star Kenny Rogers when Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler is on the network Sept. 23. The one-hour special was filmed at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville before Rogers died. It features onstage tributes and songs performed in front of Rogers, who is featured in the special’s finale. 

Chris Stapleton, Idina Menzel, Lady A, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town and Reba McEntire are among the performers, and Dolly Parton will share anecdotes about Rogers. 

All In For the Gambler can be streamed on Paramount Plus. 

Rogers died in March 2020. His songs include “The Gambler,” “Lady” and “She Believes in Me.”

“Kenny Rogers’ enormous impact on country music was matched only by the love all the artists and fans showed Kenny on this incredible night,” said executive producers Keith Wortman and Ken Levitan. “We are so thrilled to share this special with his friends, family and fans all around the world, as he will remain forever in our hearts.”

The special is a production of Blackbird Presents. Wortman is creator and executive producer, and Levitan is an executive producer.

A&E Network will produce three April specials around country music legends Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, the network announced Wednesday.

The Willie Nelson: American Outlaw special debuts April 12 and pays tribute to Nelson’s seven-decade long career through on-stage performances, interviews and behind the scenes concert footage. The special also offers a look at the Willie Nelson tribute concert, which includes appearances from George Strait, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Norah Jones and The Little Willies, according to the network.

Also on April 12, the network will premiere Biography: Dolly, which will explore the life and five-decade career of the songwriter/performer who has influenced generations of country and pop artists. The special will feature interviews with Lily Tomlin, Chris Stapleton, Jane Fonda, Kylie Minogue and other friends and fellow musicians.

Biography: Kenny Rogers, premieres April 13 and follows his journey to country singer, actor and pop-culture icon, said the network. 

CMT’s drama series Nashville will end its run with its upcoming sixth season, series officials confirmed Friday.

The county music-themed series, which stars Hayden Panettiere, Clare Bowen and Chris Carmack, premiered its first season on CMT last year after airing its first four seasons on ABC. Its sixth and final season will debut Jan. 4 on CMT, according to series producer Lionsgate.

 “After more than 120 episodes of unforgettable television, we believe that creatively it is time for the series to come to its triumphant close at the end of the upcoming season,” said Kevin Beggs, chairman of the Lionsgate Television Group in a statement. “We’re very proud of our incredibly talented cast and crew, the creative brilliance of our showrunners, and the loyal support of our great partners at CMT, Hulu and ABC Studios.  Most importantly, we owe a special debt of thanks to the Nashville fans who propelled the series to an incredible run.  We owe it to them to make the 6th season the most exciting and memorable of all.”

Nashville is executive produced by Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick (Thirtysomething), Steve Buchanan and Callie Khouri, who created the series.