"NASHVILLE" ON CMT RATINGS SOAR WITH NEWEST EPISODE OUTPACING THE PREMIERE AS CMT'S MOST WATCHED ORIGINAL TELECAST EVER

New Episodes Premiere Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT Only On CMT

NASHVILLE - January 17, 2016 - On the heels of last week's record-breaking premiere on CMT, the newest episode of "Nashville" surpassed its CMT debut to steal the title as the network's most watched original series telecast ever attracting 2.1 million fans on CMT alone (nearly 3 million total fans including the Nick at Nite airing). The episode entitled "Let's Put It Back Together Again," pulled a .92 rating on CMT with A 18-49, up 14% from last week's opener.

Furthermore, the episode was the highest rated original series telecast in the channel's history among W 18-49 (1.28), A 25-54 (1.15) and W 25-54 (1.64). "Nashville" on CMT was the highest rated show on cable for the night among

W 25-54 and was top three with W 18-49. In its second week, #NashChat Facebook Live reached nearly 1 million fans. "Nashville" is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment.

New episodes continue on Thursday at 9pm ET/PT only on CMT. This week, Rayna receives a stunning offer from tech guru Zach Welles regarding Highway 65. An impatient Juliette seeks advanced treatment. Will and Kevin look for an apartment together. Check out a preview here.

"Nashville" is set against the backdrop of the city's music scene and follows Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes. Both women face personal and professional challenges as they navigate their paths as artists and individuals. Surrounding them and often complicating their lives are their family, friends and, in some cases, lovers, as well as the up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. Music City can mean so many things to different people. In "Nashville," musicians and songwriters are at the heart of the storm driven by their own ambitions. Some are fueled by their creativity and passion for fame. Others struggle to cope with the pressures of success and are doing everything in their power to stay on top.

"Nashville" stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad. In addition, the upcoming season will feature Joseph David-Jones as Clay, Rhiannon Giddens as Hallie Jordan, Jen Richards as Allyson Del Lago, and Cameron Scoggins as Zach Welles in recurring roles.

Produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment, production is currently underway in Nashville. The series is executive produced by Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick (the creators of "Thirtysomething"), Steve Buchanan and Callie Khouri.

The series airs in 225 territories worldwide. Since its debut, the show has inspired 10 soundtracks, including a Christmas album, which have collectively sold more than one million album units and over 5 million single-track downloads to date. It has also been nominated for multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards.