CMT BECOMES "CASH MUSIC TELEVISION" WITH WEEKLONG JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE HOSTED BY KID ROCK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 8

"Johnny Cash Week" Culminates with the Premiere of "Johnny Cash: American Rebel" on Saturday, September 12 at 9pm ET/PT

NASHVILLE - September 2, 2015 - CMT today announced an unprecedented weeklong tribute celebrating the enduring legacy of the Man in Black, Johnny Cash, hosted by super-fan Kid Rock. Timed to the 12th anniversary of his passing, the week will culminate with the premiere of "Johnny Cash: American Rebel," an original documentary told through the unique perspective of his greatest songs. "Johnny Cash Week" programming and specials will also include "Walk The Line," the Oscar-winning film mirroring Cash's life, back-to-back throwback videos, a Saturday morning video block hosted by Kid Rock, the ultimate country artist countdown and a Johnny Cash-inspired all-new "CMT Hot 20 Countdown."

"This weeklong tribute will both remind long-time fans as well as introduce new fans to the brilliance and artistry that made Cash one of the most influential music artists in American history," said Brian Philips, President of CMT.

CMT's "Johnny Cash Week" programming highlights include:

WALK THE LINE (Tuesday, September 8 at 9m ET/PT with encore at 12am ET/PT) The celebration will kick off with a limited commercial screening of the iconic biographical film of Cash's life that won Reese Witherspoon an Oscar for her role as Cash's longtime love, June Carter Cash, complete with fun facts and behind-the-scenes information. The film will also fuel the weekend festivities on Saturday, September 12 at 6pm ET/PT and Sunday at 2pm ET/PT.

"THROWBACK THURSDAY" VIDEO BLOCK: CASH EDITION (Thursday, September 10 at 8am ET/PT) Cash, who over his five decades of musical brilliance released almost 100 albums, created some of the most iconic songs to reach country music audiences. CMT will allow viewers to relive his greatest music videos and videos from artists he has inspired when the "Throwback Thursday" video block begins Thursday morning.

"CMT ALL-TIME TOP 40: ARTIST'S CHOICE" (Friday, September 11 at 10am ET/PT) When you ask almost any current artist in the industry who their biggest musical influences include, Johnny Cash makes the list. Find out where Cash lands on this exclusive CMT list of the all-time greats, chosen by today's biggest country stars.

FIRST-EVER JOHNNY CASH-DEDICATED "CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN" (Saturday, September 12 at 9am ET/PT) Kid Rock will join Cody Alan and Katie Cook for the first-ever completely artist-themed "CMT Hot 20 Countdown." Expect candid interviews, behind-the-scenes looks and sneak peeks of "Johnny Cash: American Rebel" when the hosts break down how Cash still holds precedent as the coolest man in country music.

"JOHNNY CASH: AMERICAN REBEL" (Saturday, September 12 at 9pm ET/PT) Throughout the day Saturday, CMT will encourage viewers to engage on social media about their favorite Cash moments and memories, and the excitement culminates when "Johnny Cash: American Rebel" premieres Saturday, September 12 at 9pm ET and encores Saturday night at 11 pm and 1 am ET/PT and Sunday at 7 am, 12 pm, 5 pm and 9:30 pm ET/PT. The film is captured through the unique perspective of his greatest songs, and combines original interviews with his friends and family featuring John Carter Cash, Rosanne Cash, Carlene Carter, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Clive Davis, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, Rick Rubin, Willie Nelson and more. For the first time, Cash's children, John Carter Cash and Rosanne Cash, along with June Carter's daughter Carlene Carter, will appear together in a film about Johnny Cash.

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 App, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.