Sinclair Broadcast Group to Air The Country Network

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., (Nasdaq: SBGI) one of the nation's largest television groups, and The Country Network (TCN), a country music video television network located on Music Row in Nashville, TN, have entered into an agreement to launch TCN's star-hosted music video programming on the broadcast digital tier in most of Sinclair's markets.

Sinclair is one of the nation's largest broadcast groups, with 58 stations in 35 markets covering 22% of the U.S. television households. TCN will launch in October in 28 Sinclair markets reaching 17% of the country, with the remaining Sinclair markets expected to come on board by early 2011.

Country music is America's most popular music genre.  There are more than twice as many country music radio stations in the U.S. than any other music format. TCN fills a niche by bringing country music videos to free over-the-air television. TCN will be the only television network dedicated exclusively to airing country music videos. TCN will be "all Country Music, all the time."

"Existing country music networks have all but abandoned the pure music video format," said Warren Hansen, founder and CEO of TCN.  "Although The Country Network's agreement with Sinclair is our first with a major broadcast company, several additional agreements are in the works, and we expect to announce them shortly."

David Amy, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sinclair, said, "We are excited to help launch TCN.  We believe their program offering aligns perfectly with our audience demographics and our local market footprint.  Their genre of music and program format should have broad appeal to our local viewers.  We are pleased to expand our digital tier by airing The Country Network."

CobbCorp and Cobb, LeClair & Graves Partners (CLG) are advising TCN.  

About The Country Network

The Country Network ("TCN") is an innovative music video network dedicated to providing today's country music enthusiasts more choices in televised and digital programming. TCN will be the only television network dedicated exclusively to airing country music videos. TCN will be "all Country Music, all the time."  TCN offers broadcasters a turn-key solution to utilizing their digital channel capacity, while attracting the largest music audience. TCN will begin airing nationally in Fall 2010.

About Sinclair Broadcast Group

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies, owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 22% of U.S. television households and is affiliated with all major networks. Sinclair owns equity interests in various non-broadcast related companies. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information and can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

Contact: [email protected] or 703-599-1375

SOURCE CobbCorp