"STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE" PICKS UP DGA NOMINATION, CELEBRATES RATINGS WINS FOR SEASON TWO AIRING NOW ON CMT

NASHVILLE - January 15, 2015 - STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE has been named a contender for this year's Directors Guild of America Award for outstanding direction in the Reality Programs category, it was announced yesterday by the DGA. The nomination marks a first for both CMT and Adam Vetri, who serves as director on the series for 51 Minds, along with associate director Ian Blankenship and stage manager Richard Mercury Melendez. To capture the gritty and explosive action on BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE, the series incorporates high-speed slow motion and a Cablecam aerial camera system for each of the dramatic competitions. The DGA Awards honor outstanding directorial achievement in film, television, commercials and documentaries, and winners will be announced at the 67th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 7.

STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE returned to CMT in January, and has experienced double-digit ratings growth across the first two episodes. The premiere episode, which aired January 4, earned the series' highest-rated and most-watched telecast to date with 754,000 total viewers (Nielsen Live +3), up an impressive +48% from its season one average.

Tune in for the third episode this Sunday, January 18 at 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT, as a new group of men arrive on BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE. These eight bad-asses will face pure hell as they take on the challenges Snatch, Barn Burner and Cranked. Only one man will be left standing and earn the right to take on the Skullbuster for a shot at $10,000. Designed by Steve Austin himself, the Skullbuster is a half-mile obstacle course that breaks down even the toughest of athletes, body part by body part.

Preview or embed the sneak peek of episode 203 on CMT.com now as Rob and Orrin battle it out in the Snatch. For exclusive BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE outtakes, photos and more, visit CMT.com and download the CMT App. Fans can also join the conversation on the series' official Facebook page and follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram using #BrokenSkullChallenge.

STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE is produced by 51 Minds Entertainment with executive producers Christian Sarabia, Steve Austin, Vincent Cariati and Steve Kaufman. Julia Silverton and Jayson Dinsmore executive produce for CMT.

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 and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is 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.