Latest from Next TV in Still-the-king

CMT Sets ‘Nashville,’ ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ Premiere Dates

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 16:00:00 +0000

CMT has ordered a new scripted pilot, His Wives & Daughters, as part of its scripted lineup that will feature the Jan. 5 season five debut of Nashville and the March premiere of freshman drama Million Dollar Quartet, said network officials.

The comedy pilot, His Wives & Daughters, centers on the exploits of the wives and daughters of larger-than-life country music legend Eddie Ray Banks. The pilot is created and produced by Dina Chapman and Steve Sessions, with Jayson Dinsmore and Julia Silverton as executive producers for CMT, said network officials.

His Wives & Daughters along with Nashville -- which CMT acquired earlier this year after it was cancelled by ABC after four seasons -- and Million Dollar Quartet join sophomore comedy series Still The King as part of the network’s scripted lineup, according to network officials. Last month the network renewed the Billy Ray Cyrus-starrer for a second season.

Related: CMT's Jayson Dinsmore discusses the network's scripted series strategy (VIDEO)

“After a promising start with Still the King, we now have a clear path in attracting new audiences with our scripted programming,” said Jayson Dinsmore, CMT’s head of development in a statement. “Beginning with Nashville in January, each series will help launch the next; creating an overlay to cycle viewers through our originals year round.”

CMT Renews ‘Still the King’

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 13:00:00 +0000

CMT has renewed its music-themed comedy Still The King for a sophomore campaign, the network said Wednesday.

The series, which stars Billy Ray Cyrus as a one-hit wonder turned Elvis impersonator turned preacher who also discovers he has a teenaged daughter, is averaging 4.7 million viewers in live + 3 ratings during its freshman run, according to Nielsen.

The 13-episode second season will air in 2017. The finale of season one of the series premieres Aug. 14, said network officials.

“The success of Still The King is a wonderful start for our move into scripted programming,” said Jayson Dinsmore, EVP of development for CMT. “Both charming and irreverent, this series is like nothing else on television and we can’t wait to continue the journey.”

Upfronts 2016: CMT to Double Its Original Series Output

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:30:00 +0000

CMT will look to double down on original programming, launching two scripted series and several music-themed specials, the network said during its upfront presentation Thursday.

On the original series front, the network will launch two new scripted series, including the previously announced Million Dollar Quartet, which follows the rise of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, and the comedy series Still The King, starring Billy Ray Cyrus.

The network will remain committed to its music roots with three tentpole events --CMT Music Awards, CMT Artists of the Year and new CMT Concert of the Summer” shows -- as well as four new episodes of its veteran series CMT Crossroads.

Original documentaries include the May NASCAR: The Rise of American Speed, The August debut of The Bandit Chicken People” in November.

The network will also tap Ridiculousness producer Rob Dyrdek to produce a new unscripted series The Dude Perfect Show, set to launch in April.

“Much like our hometown of Nashville, CMT embraces both tradition and change,” said Brian Philips, President of CMT in a statement. “This year, we are doubling our original programming to celebrate the bigger and broader country fan base. We’re crafting stories and characters that are multifaceted and unexpected.”