Cablevision Launches Great American Country Channel

NASHVILLE, December 7: Cablevision Systems has added the
country-music channel Great American Country (GAC) to its lineup, boosting the
channel’s subscribers by 2 million.

The deal makes the channel’s programming available to
country music fans in parts of Long Island, New Jersey, New York City and
Connecticut. GAC has added more than 8 million new subscribers in the past
year, following expansion of its footprint into other major markets, including
Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas and Miami. In total, the channel is now
available to more than 52.6 million households, and is in each of the top 140
U.S. markets.

In the upcoming weeks, the network plans to premiere a
number of exclusive specials devoted to Garth Brooks, including his first
televised concert in six years. Other programming for the channel includes: Josh
Turner: My Road to the Opry, a one-hour
documentary that will be broadcast along with the only live coverage of Josh
Turner’s induction into the Grand Ole Opry; Opry Live, a platform for live country music performance; The
Hitmen of Music Row, a behind-the-scenes
look at the lives of four of Nashville’s most prolific songwriters; as well as exclusive
original programming and music specials featuring top artists such as Kenny
Chesney, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Alison Krauss.

The GAC also sponsors concert tours and operates the GAC
Bus, a customized motor coach that visits many major country-music concerts and
festivals during the summer. GAC maintains a major presence at the annual CMA
Music Festival in Nashville, and this year produced a 13-part Riverfront
Concert Series, featuring live performances
from the festival.

“GAC has become the destination for anyone interested in country
music entertainment,” said Ed Hardy, the president of GAC. “As we grow, our
viewers are seeing more and more top country music artists who choose GAC as
their platform to reach millions of passionate country music fans.”

“GAC’s commitment to connecting country artists, their music
and the fans is resonating loudly with the music community, our affiliate
partners and our viewers,” continued Hardy. “We are having a great time
showcasing these talented artists on GAC, and helping them to connect with the
growing legions of country music fans. We see bright growth prospects ahead.”

—By Ned Berke