AXS TV Secures Off-Network Cable Rights To The Critically-Acclaimed ABC Music Drama 'NASHVILLE'

LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2015  /PRNewswire/ -- Bolstering its primetime programming portfolio, AXS TV has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with the Disney-ABC Television Group for off-network cable rights to the first three seasons of the critically-acclaimed primetime ABC drama, NASHVILLE.  The deal gives AXS TV the exclusive primetime cable premiere of the hit series, which will launch on the network in the fall. Produced by Lionsgate Television, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment, NASHVILLE is executive produced by Dee Johnson, Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan.

Set in the heart of Music City, NASHVILLE follows the lives of a group of recording artists dealing with the highs and lows of making it in the cutthroat music industry. Connie Britton stars as the successful Country Queen Rayna Jaymes, an icon at the peak of her powers, facing a future generation of stars lighting up the charts, especially the talented and troubled Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Panettiere. In addition to its dramatic storylines and memorable performances, NASHVILLE has attracted a wide array of guest appearances from some of the biggest names in entertainment, including: Christina Aguilera, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Wyclef Jean, Robin Roberts, Katie Couric, and Conan O'Brien, just to name a few.

NASHVILLE originally premiered on ABC on October 10, 2012, and most recently concluded its third season, which drew an average of nearly 8 million viewers a week. The series has spawned six "Music of Nashville" soundtracks which have, collectively, sold nearly one million units and over four million tracks to date, as well as a Christmas album and two "Nashville: On The Record" albums and TV specials.  Season four of NASHVILLE will premiere September 23^rd on ABC.

"NASHVILLE is the perfect complement to our growing lineup of music-inspired series," said Mark Cuban, CEO of AXS TV. "With its talented cast, dramatic storylines and powerful performances from industry icons and rising stars, we are confident that NASHVILLE will connect with our viewers, while attracting a new audience of those who may have missed out on watching from the beginning of the series. This will also be a great opportunity for its devoted fan base to experience NASHVILLE all over again."

ABOUT AXS TV
AXS TV is the cable industry's leading general entertainment network for live event programming, and the premier destination for some of the nation's biggest music festivals. Launched in July 2012 by visionary entrepreneur Mark Cuban, AXS TV is dedicated to providing groundbreaking music programming, stand-up comedy performances from today's top comedians, and hard-hitting mixed martial arts promotions. The network's franchises include THE X FACTOR UK and original programs such as THE BIG INTERVIEW with Dan Rather; THE WORLD'S GREATEST TRIBUTE BANDS; GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE; ART MANN PRESENTS; AXS TV FIGHTS; and INSIDE MMA. 

AXS TV is a partnership between Mark Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CBS. The network is available in the United States via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers, including members of the National Cable Television Cooperative. The network is also distributed in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For more information, visit the website, www.axs.tv; go to the Facebook page here and follow the company on Twitter, @axstv; on Instagram; Tumblr; Cyber Dust and YouTube.

About The Disney|ABC Television Group
Disney|ABC Television Group is comprised of The Walt Disney Company's global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations group, and radio business. This includes ABC Studios, the ABC Owned Television Stations Group, and the ABC Television Network, which provides entertainment, news and kids programming to viewers via more than 200 affiliated stations across the U.S. It also includes Disney Channels Worldwide, a portfolio of 107 kid-driven, family-inclusive entertainment channels, including Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama, and Radio Disney brands, as well as cable network ABC Family, which targets Millennials. Disney|ABC Television Group also has equity interests in A+E Networks, Hulu, and Fusion.

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SOURCE AXS TV