NEW YEAR, NEW PROGRAMMING: CMT KICKS OFF 2015 WITH A JANUARY FILLED WITH NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS AND SPECIALS

New Year's Day Includes a COPS RELOADED Marathon and an exclusive MY BIG REDNECK FAMILY Sneak Peek

New Programming Includes the CMT ULTIMATE KICKOFF PARTY LIVE FROM THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP and Second Seasons of MY BIG REDNECK FAMILY and STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE

New Episodes of PARTY DOWN SOUTH 2 and REDNECK ISLAND Continue

NASHVILLE - December 11, 2014 - CMT viewers can start the New Year with a bang by tuning into special New Year's Day programming, including an action-packed 10-hour COPS RELOADED marathon, beginning at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Thursday, January 1, which will be hosted by the cast of PARTY DOWN SOUTH 2. The Clampet family returns to CMT when a second season of MY BIG REDNECK FAMILY premieres Saturday, January 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, but fans can catch a glimpse of the second season early when an exclusive sneak peek airs Thursday, January 1 at 11 p.m. ET/PT. This season, America's favorite redneck family is back for another season in their hometown of Shreveport, La. Hosted by Tom Arnold, CMT follows this lovable gang as they face more parenting problems, marital misadventures and questionable career moves than ever before. From Jared's money-making entrepreneurial endeavors, to Doug's experiences as a recently-single man, and Chris' adjustments to Christian's shocking surprises, this season is unlike any other. To top it off, the family decides to take a special two-week vacation to the Bahamas.

Throughout the remainder of January, new and returning CMT favorites will fill the airwaves. The toughest competition series on TV, STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE, returns for a second season of ass-kicking on Sunday, January 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. Each week, eight elite athletes, along with everyday men and women, will battle against each other and the elements in mentally and physically grueling challenges. In the end, only one man or woman will earn the right to take on the Skullbuster, a harrowing obstacle course designed by wrestling icon Steve Austin himself. The Skullbuster returns harder-than-before, with extreme challenges designed to break down even the strongest of athletes.

Just five days later, for the first time in CMT's history, country music joins forces with college football when the CMT ULTIMATE KICKOFF PARTY LIVE FROM THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP premieres live from Dallas, Texas, on Friday, January 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The 90-minute concert special is the official kickoff entertainment event at the national championship playoff weekend, including performances from Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich, Brett Eldredge and more. A second sneak peek of MY BIG REDNECK FAMILY season two will follow the special at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

PARTY DOWN SOUTH 2 episodes continue on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by new episodes of REDNECK ISLAND season four at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT, CMT.com and CMT Radio offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and are the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.