CBS, the Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions Announce a New 10-Year Agreement for the Annual ACM AWARDS

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CBS (www.cbs.com), the Academy of Country Music (www.acmcountry.com) and dick clark productions announced today a new 10-year deal that will keep "Country Music's Party of the Year®," the annual ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, broadcast on the CBS Television Network through 2021.  

The new agreement further extends a successful broadcast partnership between the ACM and CBS that has been in place since 1998.  

"The Academy of Country Music represents a highly valued partnership for our company and the awards show is one of the marquee broadcasts on our network," said Leslie Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Corporation.  "It is an entertainment event that continues to grow in scope and popularity, and we look forward to working with the ACM and dick clark productions to build on this great momentum over the next decade."

"The Academy has been home at CBS for 14 years, and we're thrilled to continue that winning partnership over the next decade," said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. "With our friends at CBS and our partners at dick clark productions, we've grown the Academy's brand and television properties, consistently delivering hits that country music fans can count on.  We look forward to 10 more years of incredible entertainment programming that brings fans the best that country music has to offer."

"'The Academy of Country Music Awards is one of the crown jewels in our collection of storied franchises," said Mark Shapiro, CEO of dick clark productions.  "This new deal recognizes the continuing success of the awards show and creates a platform for expanding our reach with ACM-branded programming.  We are delighted to extend our relationship with America's most-watched television network."

In addition to the annual awards telecast, the new agreement also includes the continued broadcast of annual two-hour ACM specials.   

CBS Corporation will support the annual awards show and other ACM broadcasts on the Network with promotional and programming support across its many media and entertainment assets, including radio, online, broadcast television and local television, among others.

Last year's broadcast of THE 46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS won its time period in viewers (13.05m), adults 25-54 (4.2/10), adults 18-49 (3.3/09) and adults 18-34 (2.5/07) with year-to-year increases of +3% in adults18-49, +19% in adults 18-34 and +1% in viewers.  

The 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, "Country Music's Party of the Year®" honoring country music's best and introducing the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1 (8:00-11:00PM live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The show, produced by dick clark productions, will be hosted for the second consecutive year by Reba and Blake Shelton.  Nominees for the 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS will be announced tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM, ET/6:30 AM, PT.  For details visit www.ACMcountry.com.

About CBS Corporation

CBS Corporation is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW – a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime Networks, Smithsonian Networks and CBS Sports Network), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Television Studios, CBS Studios International and CBS Television Distribution), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), interactive media (CBS Interactive), licensing and merchandising (CBS Consumer Products), video/DVD (CBS Home Entertainment), motion pictures (CBS Films) and socially responsible media (EcoMedia). For more information, log on to www.cbscorporation.com.

About the Academy of Country Music

Founded in Southern California in 1964, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) is a fan-focused artist and industry-driven organization, providing the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of ACM LIFTING LIVES, the charitable arm of the Academy which works to improve lives through the power of music. The Academy has rich history in the entertainment industry, having been founded when Southern California was a hotbed of emerging country music and when Westerns were a staple of television programing and film production.  Comprised of more than 3,800 professional members nationwide, the ACM is headquartered in Encino, Calif. For more information, log onto www.ACMcountry.com or www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

About dick clark productions

Founded in 1957, dick clark productions, inc. (dcp) is a leading independent producer of television programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the "American Music Awards,"

"Golden Globe Awards," "Academy of Country Music Awards," and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." dcp also produces popular weekly television programming, including "So You Think You Can Dance," and owns and maintains one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment libraries, which includes more than 30 years of "American Bandstand" footage.

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SOURCE CBS