ABC PICKS UP NEW DRAMA "NASHVILLE" FOR FULL SEASON

Pick-Up Joins Previously Announced Full Season Orders for "The Neighbors" and "Scandal"

ABC has picked up a full season of new drama "Nashville," it was announced today. "Nashville" joins previously announced full season orders for new comedy "The Neighbors" and returning drama series "Scandal." "Nashville" airs Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.

On average during Wednesday's 10:00 o'clock hour, ABC rookie "Nashville" is No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-49 (3.2/9), beating CBS' veteran "C.S.I." by 3% (3.1/9) and NBC's freshman "Chicago Fire" by 33% (2.4/7). The new ABC drama also leads the hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Overall for the season, "Nashville" ranks among the Top 3 new TV series in Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34, while qualifying as the No. 2 freshman program with Women 18-49. "Nashville" attracts an advertiser-coveted upscale audience, pulling in 30% higher ratings among Adults 18-49 in homes with $100k+ annual income (index of 130) to make it the top indexing new drama on broadcast TV this season, and the No. 2 highest-rated freshman show overall.

"Nashville" stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Robert Ray Wisdom as Coleman Carlisle and Powers Boothe as Lamar Wyatt.

Dee Johnson, R.J. Cutler, Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan are executive producers of "Nashville." The pilot was written by Callie Khouri and directed by R.J. Cutler. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment.