CMT SELECTS BLAKE SHELTON, FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, LITTLE BIG TOWN, LUKE BRYAN AND SAM HUNT FOR ITS PRESTIGIOUS ARTISTS OF THE YEAR LIST

Biggest Names in Music, Film and Television to Toast and Pay Homage To The Five Honorees During the Sixth-Annual "CMT Artists of the Year" Special Premiering LIVE on Wednesday, December 2 at 8pm ET/PT

NASHVILLE - November 11, 2015 - CMT today named Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt as the top country artists of the year to be honored during the "CMT Artists of the Year" special, the definitive year end party, premiering LIVE from Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, on Wednesday, December 2 at 8:00pm ET/PT.

The sixth-annual 90-minute special will feature once-in-a-lifetime performances, unexpected tributes and unforgettable toasts as the biggest stars of music, film and television celebrate returning "CMT Artists of the Year," Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan, with first-time honorees, Blake Shelton, Little Big Town and Sam Hunt.

From house parties to girl crushes to sippin' on sangria... .and then fire, these five artists collectively kicked the dust up to dominate the last 12 months ruling CMT's platforms and country radio, scoring chart-topping album and singles, and selling out arenas around the country. Additional performers, presenters, and special guests will be announced at a later date.

They join an overgrowing prestigious list of past "CMT Artists of the Year" honorees that includes Jason Aldean (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Kenny Chesney (2011, 2012), Eric Church (2012), Hunter Hayes (2013), Toby Keith (2012), Lady Antebellum (2010, 2011), Miranda Lambert (2012, 2014), Tim McGraw (2013), Brad Paisley (2011), Taylor Swift (2010, 2011), Carrie Underwood (2010, 2012), Keith Urban (2014) and Zac Brown Band (2010).

For more information visit CMT.com or CMTPress.com, and go join the conversation on the official CMT Facebook page or follow @CMT on Twitter using the official hashtag, #CMTAOTY.

CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR is executive produced by Switched On Entertainment's John Hamlin. Jayson Dinsmore and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers 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, 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.