CMT REVEALS SUPERSTAR PAIRINGS FOR THE "2016 CMT MUSIC AWARDS" INCLUDING DIERKS BENTLEY WITH ELLE KING AND BILLY RAY CYRUS WITH CHEAP TRICK LIVE FROM NASHVILLE ON JUNE 8 AT 8PM ET/PT

NASHVILLE - June 2, 2016 - With less than a week remaining before the "2016 CMT Music Awards," the loudest night in country music, CMT today announced more superstar musical collaborations furthering its undisputed reputation for dynamic, unexpected and cross-genre collaborations. Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley joins forces with Elle King for the television debut of Bentley's new single "Different For Girls," which follows his multi-week #1 hit off his new album BLACK (Capitol Records Nashville) available now. Just days before his new show "Still The King" premieres on CMT (June 12), Billy Ray Cyrus, makes his return to the "CMT Music Awards" stage for the first time in eight years for a killer mash-up with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's Cheap Trick. Hosted by Erin Andrews and J.J. Watt, the "2016 CMT Music Awards," airs live from Nashville on Wednesday, June 8 at 8pm ET/PT.

Other previously announced "2016 CMT Music Awards" collaborations include Fifth Harmony and Cam, Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys and Keith Urban with special guests Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris. More performers and presenters will be announced.

Tickets to the "2016 CMT Music Awards" are currently on sale via Ticketmaster.

On the heels of her historic and record-setting sixth "Video of the Year" win last year (her fourth consecutive win), reigning champ, Carrie Underwood, is set to protect her crown against powerhouse Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cam and Thomas Rhett who top nominations for the fan-selected "2016 CMT Music Awards." With three nominations each, including "Video of the Year," they will face off in top categories against superstars Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Old Dominion and Sam Hunt who each garnered two nominations.Fans can vote now via CMT.com determine the winners for "Video of the Year". Voting will continue until Monday, June 6 at 12:01 AM.

Last year's "CMT Music Awards" once again earned its title as the loudest in country music garnering nearly 17 million cumulative viewers for the premiere and subsequent airings, according to Nielsen. #CMTawards trended worldwide on Twitter from the start of the live telecast and throughout, and the show ranked as the #1 most social telecast of the day with over 18 million impressions according to Nielsen Twitter TV ratings. The awards ranked as the #2 most social non-sports telecast of the week and CMT.com saw double-digit gains for "CMT Music Awards" content, with unique visitors up +33% from the prior year.

Follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram, use hashtag #CMTawards and like the CMT Music Awards on Facebook.

About 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 Mobile and CMT VOD.