CMT today announced two new digital expansions of “Hot 20 Countdown,” including the new multiplatform series “Country on Campus,” hosted by veteran sportscaster Bonnie Bernstein and “Hot 20 Live,” a weekly live digital series from Ole Red in downtown Nashville. “Country on Campus” showcases country artists’ passion for college football and debuts in “Hot 20” this Saturday, September 15 at 9am ET/PT with special guest, PLATINUM-selling, 5-time #1 hitmaker Dustin Lynch. “Hot 20 Live” airs on the Hot 20 Facebook page with guests Runaway June this Friday, September 14 at 5:30pm ET.
Produced by renowned veteran sports journalist Bonnie Bernstein (ESPN/CBS), “Country on Campus” celebrates college football through the eyes of country music, going behind-the-scenes with five artists, exploring the history behind the stars’ football loyalties and capturing their unique access to their favorite teams. Country superstar and lifelong University of Florida fan Dustin Lynch is slated as the first guest on this weekend’s installment, with cameo appearances by Gator greats Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow and Cris Collinsworth. Each feature will launch exclusively on “Hot 20 Countdown”, with extended cuts available on CMT.com and across “Hot 20’s” digital platforms.
The much-needed Friday afternoon happy hour is here with “Hot 20 Live,” hosted by CMT’s Marley Sherwood and featuring Runaway June on this week’s episode. Airing live from Ole Red, the Broadway honky tonk inspired by country music superstar Blake Shelton’s satirical hit “Ol’ Red,” “Hot 20 Live” includes interviews and performances from country music’s up-and-coming artists, and previews the weekend’s all-new episode of “Hot 20 Countdown. Fans can get their weekend started early by joining the party in downtown Nashville while enjoying delicious food, specialty cocktails and live music, and interacting with the live show on CMT’s Hot 20 Facebook page every Friday afternoon.
“Country on Campus” is produced by Bernstein’s Walk Swiftly Productions and WhaleRock Industries for CMT, with CMT’s Quinn Brown, Bernstein and WhaleRock’s Laura Sweet serving as executive producers. “Hot 20 Live” is produced by WhaleRock Industries for CMT, with CMT’s Quinn Brown and WhaleRock’s Laura Sweet serving as executive producers.
CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
