News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 9, 2002
MJI PROGRAMMING SECURES EXCLUSIVE RADIO RIGHTS TO CMA AWARDS THROUGH 2005
NASHVILLE, October 8, 2002 – With “The 36th Annual CMA Awards” just one month away, MJI Programming has earned the much-coveted radio rights to the CMA Awards through 2005. The announcement of this three-year deal extends MJI’s successful 11-year partnership with the Country Music Association. As the official radio broadcaster of the CMA Awards, MJI Programming will continue to create and produce radio programming, features and events that will increase awareness of the annual TV broadcast. Earlier this year, MJI was also awarded the radio rights to the CMA-produced Fan Fair,® “The World’s Biggest Country Music Festival,” through 2005.
“MJI has been so very effective in helping us enhance the reputation and awareness of the CMA Awards. And they have established the blueprint on how to integrate radio with a major awards telecast. It’s great to be continuing our relationship with them,” said Ed Benson, CMA Executive Director.
Kraig T. Kitchin, President/COO of Premiere Radio Networks, stated, “We are thrilled that the CMA and MJI Programming have renewed their strong partnership for the next three years. The renewal of this partnership ensures that the CMA and MJI will continue to bring all of the excitement of the CMA Awards and Fan Fair home to country radio listeners nationwide.”
MJI Programming is currently preparing for this year’s CMA Awards with an aggressive effort highlighted by a 50-station live remote broadcast from Nashville November 4th – 6th. MJI’s radio package also includes a pre-event special, live simulcast of the CMA Awards telecast and a live post-show broadcast from backstage at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.
Hosted for the eleventh year by superstar Vince Gill, “The 36th Annual CMA Awards” will air live on CBS-TV on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, 8:00-11:00 PM/EST. Regarded as “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” the CMA Awards is the Country Music industry’s premiere nationally televised showcase. Over 38 million viewers tuned in to last year’s CMA Awards—Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Shania Twain (in her first televised performance in over three years) have already been announced as performers, with more artists to be named in the coming weeks.
MJI Programming, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio broadcaster of the CMA Awards and Fan Fair. A leading supplier of quality programming to radio, MJI Programming offers over 35 products that reach 15 million listeners daily on over 2,400 affiliated radio stations.