CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AIRS THURSDAY, DEC. 20

“CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS” HOSTED BY
JENNIFER NETTLES OF SUGARLAND AIRS THURSDAY, DEC. 20 AND REPEATS SATURDAY, DEC.
22 AND SUNDAY, DEC. 23 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

Two-Hour
Special Features Performances and Fireside Interviews with Dierks Bentley, Colbie
Caillat, Katherine Jenkins, Lady Antebellum, John Legend, Little Big Town, Martina
McBride, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry, and Keith Urban

Jennifer
Nettles hosts and performs during “CMA Country Christmas” which airs Thursday,
Dec. 20 and repeats Saturday, Dec 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23. Photo
credit: John Russell/CMA.

NASHVILLE – Some of the most powerful
and emotionally moving voices in music come together to celebrate the holidays
on “CMA Country Christmas,” which airs Thursday, Dec. 20 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET)
and repeats Saturday, Dec. 22 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) and Sunday, Dec. 23 (4:00-6:00 PM/ET).
The special, which features Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland
as host for the third year, airs on the ABC Television Network.

Artists
on the two-hour special celebrating the season with songs and stories include
Dierks Bentley, Colbie Caillat, Katherine Jenkins, Lady Antebellum, John
Legend, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Nettles, The
Band Perry, and Keith Urban.

Keith
Urban performs during “CMA Country Christmas” which airs Thursday, Dec. 20 and
repeats Saturday, Dec 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23. Photo credit:
John Russell/CMA.

In 2011, the premiere
broadcast of “CMA Country Christmas” drew more than 9 million viewers, which
was an increase of nearly 23 percent over the inaugural broadcast in 2010. Adults
18-49 increased year-to-year by nearly 50 percent. Not only were initial airings
better than in the previous year, DVR playback increased, too. Total viewers who
watched the show within a week of premiere increased 2 million viewers from 2010
to 2011 (7.663 vs. 9.624). The cumulative audience for all three airings reached 14 million viewers.

Little
Big Town performs during “CMA Country Christmas” which airs Thursday, Dec. 20
and repeats Saturday, Dec 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23.

Photo credit:
John Russell/CMA.

“The
popularity of ‘CMA Country Christmas’ grows each year,” said Steve
Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The special is reaching across
format lines and bringing in new viewers who appreciate great performances. It
is especially rewarding that ABC has made the decision to air the program three
times during the holiday season.”

The Band
Perry performs during “CMA Country Christmas” which airs Thursday, Dec. 20 and
repeats Saturday, Dec 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23. Photo credit:
John Russell/CMA.

Full “CMA Country Christmas” show details
can be found at CMAChristmas.com. Fans can connect
with CMA online at Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic (#CMAChristmas), YouTube.com/CountryMusicAssoc, and Pinterest.com/CMAworld.

Lady
Antebellum performs during “CMA Country Christmas” which airs Thursday, Dec. 20
and repeats Saturday, Dec 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23.

Photo credit:
John Russell/CMA.

“CMA Country
Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive
producer, Paul Miller is the director, and David Wild is the writer.
The special was shot in high definition and will be broadcast in 720 Progressive
(720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental
guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.