Country Video Outlet Status Report
May 4, 2009
Prepared by
The AristoMedia Group
PO Box 22765
Nashville, TN 37202
info@aristomedia.com
www.aristomedia.com
Copyright 2009 AristoMedia
As visual images in entertainment marketing become an increasingly prevalent part of our daily lives, the importance of
projecting a strong artist image through video should not be underestimated. Visual images in music continue to add to
an artist’s ability to reach potential consumers and maintain strong relationships with their fans.
Over the past three years, we have seen use of music videos reach an unprecedented level on the Internet. As television
programming models change, music programming continues to grow and reach more consumers through the main
cable networks as well. In this annual report, AristoMedia tracks the current outlets being used to showcase Country
music videos. The following pages will review the outlets that AristoMedia works with in marketing music videos and the
varied approaches these companies take to maximize their potential in reaching a wide range of consumers. The
following outlets will be discussed in this report:
•  National Cable Networks
•  Internet Outlets
•  Multi-Regional/Syndicated Outlets
•  Video Pools
•  Closed Circuit Distributors
•  International Distributors
•  Regional Programs
•  Specialty/Mixed Format Outlets •  Summary Overview
1
National Cable Networks
The networks below support country music television programming on a national level. The trends show that in order to have successful
programming, you must have web representation as well. The outlets below are well-established names and have morphed web site
development into their objectives to promote country music.
CMT on over 88 million Cable Households
• Viewership now exceeds 88 million cable households
• Current programming using video content includes CMT Power Picks, Top 20 Countdown and On-Demand.
• CMT.com continues to gain traction as one of the most visited music and entertainment websites, and boasts unique content with programs like Unplugged at Studio 330.
• CMT continues to expand into the mobile era with the CMT Mobile Network, allowing users to stream full-
length music videos on their cell phones.
GAC reaches over 55 million cable households
• Supports continued investment in long-form music-based programming, with productions such as New on the
Streets, GAC Nights, Positively GAC and featured artist specials (i.e., Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban and Jason Aldean).
GAC continues as the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. • Look for new long form programs including the new biography series, Back Story. GAC Nights will be backstage
at this year’s CMA Music Fest once again with interviews from the year’s biggest festival. • GAC’s syndicated radio show, GAC Nights, launched in February ‘09 and is already available in 30 markets.
• GACtv.com continues to grow, as does the number of music videos now available for streaming on-demand. The
site has seen a 300% increase in available titles since last year and currently averages 900,000+ unique visitors per
month with 7 million page views monthly and 750,000 monthly video plays.
2
National Cable Networks (continued)
Pure stays true to Music Video programming
• On air for nearly 3 years now, CMT Pure now reaches 22 million households.
• Airs contemporary country music videos and catalog country favorites on a 24/7 basis with shows including Pure Vintage, Studio 330 Sessions, Up Close, Wide Open Country and the fan voted Pure 12 Pack Countdown.
• On the web at www.CMTPureCountry.com On-Demand is On Target for Music Choice
• As the #1 On Demand network in the U.S., Music Choice realized one billion orders in 2008, with recent
statistics placing views at more than 100 million per month. • The service is available for free in over 134 markets, including all 25 of the Top 25 markets, and reaches 42
million households across the country through its non-stop music programming on over 40 channels.
• New in 2009: Look and listen for a new Country music channel coming soon that will please Country music
fans of all ages as Music Choice updates its channel line-up to appeal to the broad tastes of its viewers.
Gospel + Country = Positive Message
• Atlanta-based GMC was the first advertiser-supported 24/7 network devoted to Christian and positive message music videos.
• Regularly airs videos with a positive message from country artists, devoting Wednesday nights to Country and Southern programming. Recent playlists have included clips from Julianne Hough, Sugarland, Leann Rimes, Josh Turner, Emerson Drive, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.
• Currently in 45 million households as of April 09. 3
Internet Outlets
Online, music videos continue to gain traction among an ever-growing and seemingly infinite audience. There are thousands of special
features, interview, and promotional opportunities available. Recent statistics are staggering. As of December 2008, 1.5 billion people
worldwide were online, which is nearly 22% of the world’s population. In addition, 74% of the North American population is online.1 In addition to online videos, consumers are turning to their mobile devices for video content. ComScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the
digital world, reports that 6.5 million Americans tuned into mobile video in August. During a three-month study ending in August of 2008,
ComScore Inc. determined that 34.5% of mobile users were watching music videos. 2 While licensing issues still occasionally impede clearances between record labels and websites, the number of agreements cleared is steadily
growing, as videos become an integral part of the online experience.
1 Internet
World Stats, June 30, 2008
2
Com Score, http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2558 Octoober 31, 2008
4
Internet Outlets
Eweek.com reported that Americans watched 14.5 billion online videos in March 2009, an increase of 11 percent from the previous month. Viewers
watched about 5.5 hours of online video, with an average of 97 videos per viewer, or an average online video clip length of 3.4 minutes. In a recent survey
conducted by emarketer.com, data indicates the overall number of online video viewers continues to increase sharply, rising roughly 9% from 154 million to
167 million in the last year alone. At this rate, the U.S. audience is expected to grow to 190 million people by 2012, or 88% of the Internet user population.
Yahoo Music: From August - September 2008, Yahoo video streams increased 56% and unique users up 35%. Total streams for September 2008 were 264,266,000. Yahoo continues to be one of the most recognized brands and visited sites on the web, offering great placement opportunities for video world premieres
and remaiings a major player in video and audio streaming.
AOL Music: Reported 20 million unique visitors in March 2008. Features countdowns, videos on-demand, interviews and photos. AOL’s The Boot is an exclusive
country music portal started in 2008, featuring world-premiere videos, interviews, photos, trivia and additional content. Averages 4 million unique visitors per month.
CMT.com: As the digital arm of the nation’s most well known Country Music television outlet, CMT.com remains the #1 country music website, with more unique
visitors and page views than any other country music site. Along with artist profiles and news pages, CMT.com streams more than 100 million videos per year. In
2008, CMT.com introduced a new video player, offering the ability to embed videos on any website. CMT Mobile now offers video, chat, ringtone downloads and more
on its WAP site and is “on deck” with every major cell phone carrier.
YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and Google Video - Four of the most recognizable names on the net, these outlets depend on consumer generated content and
represent a large amount of monthly impressions. Each network allows linking, so consumers can post video links on their personal pages or profiles while
administrators maintain control of the content. Clear Channel Online Music and Radio: Provides video content to all Clear Channel radio station websites, recording 11.2 million cumulative online viewers to date.
GACtv.com: Features include the latest headlines, videos on-demand, artist photos, requests from fans that make up the Top 20 Countdown, sweepstakes and trivia.
Reported current average of 900,000 unique visitors monthly to the site.
Goldbucklenetwork.com: Email goes out to 75,000 members and 300,000 additional newsletter recipients. Monthly promotions with country artists remain strong,
with great click through rates and continued growth through 2008. Visitors doubled in the last year, while number of video plays increased by 41%. Singingfool.com: This music video-based website allows members to set up their own profiles and video playlists. Singingfool also services video content to
AllMusicGuide.com, Billboard.com, GuitarWorld.com and Entercom Communications radio station websites. Maintains newsletter that is sent to 350,000 members
and industry contacts, with feature opportunities. The most popular videos on the site regularly receive more than 30,000 plays per day. Yallwire.com: Launched in 2006, Yallwire.com is the country and Christian arm of Blastro Networks which also includes music video sites Blastro.com (dance, latin
and hip hop content) and Roxwel.com (rock and heavy metal). The entire network receives approximately 7.9 million unique visitors and 34.9 million page views per
month, with Yallwire accounting for approximately 1.9 million unique visitors and 6.3 million page views. In 2008, the interview series Yallwire Presents debuted.
Content is exposed to an additional 1.7M households on the Verizon FiOS VOD Network. Look for a Yallwire Nashville office to open in 2009.
“The major labels quickly recognized the business potential of the polished, short form video content, which Internet users consumed like digital candy...
Music videos allowed sites to build an audience.” - The LA Times
5
Multi-Regional and Syndicated Video Shows
Multi-regional and syndicated video shows continue to show growth with Artists and Fans Network and Music Row Profiles coming
online in recent months. With multicasting launching in 2009, the opportunity for additional distribution of these programs will increase
greatly.
Music Mix USA
• Based in Southwest Florida, this show reaches 40 million households.
• 25 CBS, NBC, FOX, and MyTV affiliates around the country as well as nationally on Direct TV (MYX channel 2067) and the AMG Network.
• Airs weekly and combines all genres of music videos and artist interviews into one show. Artist and Fans Network • 24/7 video network first launched in January ‘09 on Direct TV; currently syndicated to 1 million+
households in the Southeast. • Features a music video intensive platform with an interactive component coming later this year. • A companion website can be found at www.afncountry.com Charlie Daniels at Music Mix USA in October, 2008
Eye Music Network
• Based in Atlanta, Ga. Eye Music Network (EMN) is a 24/7 linear music video channel dedicated to playing the best music videos from all genres.
Currently available in over 5 million homes, including NY, CA, TX, OK, GA, TN, AZ, UT and SD.
• Broadcasts to over 2 million homes via IPTV through Raketu, TVU and ROK Entertainment.
• On December 12, 2008 they launched EMN Mobile, 24/7 LIVE via Eye Music Network's own mobile platform, where viewers can subscribe to watch the network LIVE 24/7 on their mobile phones.
• In the 2nd quarter of 2009, EMN will expand it’s household reach as they debut on 46 new MSO's in 23 states. In mid-2009 EMN Mobile will be
available in Dubai and Africa. (con’t on next page) 6
Multi-Regional and Syndicated Video Shows"
(con’t)
Music Row Profiles
• Based out of Nashville, this half-hour, award-winning music video television program
re-launched in January 2009 with new host, Ashlie Kolb.
• MRP airs in Nashville on WNAB CW-58. They also air on WBKO in Bowling Green, KY, WKAG in Hopkinsville, KY, KLAS-TV One in Las Vegas, KXXV in Waco, TX, KCTU in Wichita, KS, WRDW in Augusta, GA, WFFT Fox in Fort Wayne, IN, WHNT-CBS in Huntsville, AL WWCI in Vero Beach, FL and the AMG-TV Network, totaling over 80 markets.
Inside Music Row
• Companion show to Music Row Profiles, utilizes interviews and news footage, in addition to music video content to create an exciting weekly country music entertainment news series.
• Has aired nearly 100 episodes over the past one-and-a-half years on a weekly basis. • GoTVNetwork.com has picked up the show. The Go TV Network is the first and largest provider for original content for mobile devices, working with all the major companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, TMobile, and more.
• It also airs on iTunes and Digital Rodeo.com and is syndicated for broadcast worldwide.
• Available in the same markets as Music Row Profiles.
Video Pools/Closed Circuit Providers
Essentially a subscriber-based music video service, Video Pools distribute monthly compilation reels with family-rated content to locations that desire music
video programming. Outlets are long-tenured companies with clients established in retail and entertainment, sending content to over 33,000 individual
locations. The appropriate content for all ages plays an integral part in a video pools’ programming choice. While these companies produce countryspecific reels, there is a growing tendency to incorporate country music clips into Pop/Adult Contemporary mainstream reels. • The largest provider of out of home video content for retailers in North America. Reaches over 25,000 unique locations from 47 different clients • Creates a variety of different reels geared toward their diverse client base, with one third of total content made up of Country music videos. In
association with Channel M, ScreenPlay programs and distributes country reels to restaurants and hotel chains including Hooters Casino Hotel,
Saddle Ranch Chophouse, and Hickory Taverns.
• Country clips can also show up on more mainstream reels, used by chains including Ashley Furniture Home Store, Blockbuster, and Steve Madden.
• Country reels are distributed to approximately 480 club locations and radio stations based on a subscriber system.
• Opportunities for inclusion on mainstream reels, with distribution to retail outlets including 5-7-9, Macy’s, and Western Wear stores, nightclubs and
restaurants such as Hard Rock Café, Dave and Busters, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Also a variety of sports arenas, theme parks, casinos, and hotels.
• Recognized as an international design think-tank that creates brand experiences for commercial environments. • Distribution to over 100 locations, including country reels to AMF Bowling Centers.
• Includes the Rock America video pool service, which services night club and entertainment locations.
• Country content is included on a variety of retail programming shown at FYE, Fred Meyer, Rent-A-Center and Rentway.
eVision
• Services 225 different locations
• Uses Country videos on a limited basis, reaching entertainment destinations including House of Blues on Sunset, Princess Cruises and retail locations. 7
Video Pools/Closed Circuit Distributors
(con’t)
Clubcom
• Currently available in 250 clubs in the New York metro area. • Programming can be seen in 175 Brunswick Bowling facilities nationwide and 1,400 health clubs worldwide, including Crunch Fitness, Gold’s Gym,
Powerhouse, Lifestyle Fitness, New York Sports Club and in 2009, Bally’s Total Fitness (includes mixed formatting).
• In 2007, launched ChannelCast, which allows club members to pick from a variety of channels on the cardio equipment’s viewing screens. • Now affiliated with New York based Zoom Media, one of the nation’s leaders in out-of-home targeted marketing.
Destination TV
• Services a weekly reel to Gym TV (1,000 locations), Bar TV (400 locations), Hotel TV (over 70,000 hotel rooms nationwide), Jillian’s (20+ locations) GETv
Network (1,400 locations, 500,000 daily viewers). Reaches a total potential of 25 million+ viewers per month.
In-store Sports Network
• Division of The Programming Group
• Provides music for Champs Sports, Foot Locker, Footaction and Harley Davidson dealerships, where country videos are integral to programming.
• Services 2365 locations with country videos on a limited cross-over basis.
RTO-TV
• Currently services over 630+ retail locations.
• Produces a two-hour video reel each quarter, incorporating Country videos plus crossover Christian clips and EPK/Interview footage.
Top Hits USA
• Produces a monthly mixed format DVD reel. Currently distributes to 375+ roller rinks and 400+ retail locations.
Travel Entertainment Network
• Provides in-house music channel to over 25 hotels in four states. Reaches potential weekly audience of 60,000+.
VMS/VME Media
• Produces a monthly reel that is distributed to 350 Djs and nightclubs.
International Outlets
With the advent of the Internet, more countries have access to country artists and their music. This has created a growth in the
number of appointment-based country video shows around the globe. Both Country Music Channel Australia and CMT Canada
program country videos to run 24/7. New programs are emerging in both Italy and Germany and are preparing to launch this year.
Show Name
Location
Households
Show Type
Country Music Channel
Sydney, Australia
4 million
24 Hour
CMT Canada
Canada
9 million
24 Hour
Country Do Club
Romania
1 million
3x/week
Country Roads
Germany
8 million
Weekly
Country Connection
Chihuahua, Mexico
200,000
Weekly
Sound of Country
Shanghai, China
10 million
Weekly
Country with Lili
Bulgaria
6 million
Bi-Weekly
Lili Drumeva host of “Country with Lili” airing in Bulgaria
9
Regional Programs
Regional outlets continue to make millions of impressions
weekly throughout the U.S. Shows are located in a variety of
markets, including top-rated DMAs such as New York,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Detroit and Los
Angeles, where they build long-standing relationships with local
country fans. New markets in 2009 include Honolulu, Norfolk,
and Las Vegas, with new programs in development in
Greensboro NC, Denver and Kansas City. Because of their local nature, regional outlets tend to crosspromote music videos with concert tours, local appearances
and radio stations. Regional programmers have the ability to
create effective promotions to engage consumer audiences
and participation at events. Many programs also have
companion websites through which they distribute artist
information, post current promotions and link visitors to official
artist pages. DMA #
DMA MARKET
SHOW
5
Dallas / Ft. Worth
Crossroads Live!
7
Boston
Video Jam
8
Atlanta
Bobby T Show
15
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Viva & Jerry’s Country Videos
21
St. Louis
St. Louis Country
25
Indianapolis
Country Hit Videos
27
Raleigh-Durham
Honky Tonk Country
42
Las Vegas
P. Bowman Country
50
Louisville
Now That’s Country
This table represents a sampling of some of the shows in major cities
with long standing support for country video plays.
10
Regional Programs
The number of regional outlets in 2009 has remained consistent, even in the
face of a shrinking economy. Outlets are still viewed as viable advertising
options, as evidenced by the fact that a number of new outlets have emerged in
the past two years. The Central region has shown the biggest growth,
increasing from 28 outlets to 34. New shows in this region include Travelin’
Roadshow Show (Wichita / Fox), KAQC Video Jukebox (Shreveport / Indie) and
America’s Country Connection (Milwaukee / Cable).
Several regional outlets have ongoing ties to local radio stations in their area.
Video shows are hosted, promoted by, or directly scheduled by local radio
stations. These relationships provide unique cross marketing opportunities.
Below is a sampling of shows with radio ties in the East, West, and Central
regions of the U.S.
Selected Sampling of Regional Radio Ties
SHOW NAME
RADIO TIE
MARKET
WSSL Trax
WSSL 100.5
Greenville, SC
St. Louis Country
WIL 92.3
St. Louis, MO
Country Hit Videos
WFMS 95.5
Indianapolis, IN
The Marquee
KITX 95.5 / KDOE 102.3
Paris, TX / S. Central OK
Hampton Roads Twenty
WGH-FM 97.3
Norfolk, VA
KKOA Country Videos
KKOA 107.7
Honolulu, HI
Son Country
WTVY 95.5
Dothan, AL
Xtreme Country
KSKS 93.7 Fresno, Ca
Upper Left: Josh Gracin with Country Hit Videos in Indianapolis.
Upper Right: Adam Gregory with Xtreme Country in Fresno
Number of Regional Outlets are separated here by geographic
location and household reach. Total number reflects pop/
crossover outlets as well. Household (HH) Reach: P1: 250,000+ HH
P2: 150,000+ HH
P3: Less than 150,00 HH
P4: Closed Circuit Clubs
Specialty/Pop: Limited Country
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Specialty Mixed Format Opportunities
Along with regional programs, there are numerous shows/outlets across the country that use Country Music video content along with pop,
rock, adult contemporary and/or Christian music. This facilitates exposure to different audiences that might not have otherwise come into
contact with Country artists. Following is an overview of some of these outlets both syndicated and regional in nature. We service over 20
shows like this: Palladia (National Cable)
• Palladia HD is a music-centric high definition television channel that features music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT
• Embracing the full spectrum of music offerings from MTV Networks' Music Group, Palladia features concert series, events, and original Palladia productions including: VH1 Storytellers, CMT Crossroads, MTV2's $2 Bill, MTV Video Music Awards, VH1 Hip Hop Honors and CMT Music Awards. • Original programming includes a weekly music video countdown show, artist interviews, backstage extras and a concert series.
• They are currently in 22 million homes and will be expanding throughout 2009 MHZ Network/ Strictly Global (Regional Program)
• Based in Washington D.C. with a reach of 4 million+ households.
• Dedicated to airing an eclectic mix of music, with recent playlists including Porter Wagoner, Yonder Mountain String Band and The Duhks
Son Country (Syndication)
• Positive Message Show out of Dothan, AL reaching 100K+ households through Fox affiliate WDFX, Time Warner, and Comcast.
• Mix of country, Christian country, and Southern Gospel. Radio station used to cross-promote show on WDJR Dothan, AL.
• In production nearly 10 years, also produces weekly radio show and uses this to cross promote Son Country
Heavy Pork (Regional Program)
• This rock show has recently added country music videos to their format. On the air for over 11 years on broadcast TV.
• Airs weekly on Saturday nights after MadTV on FOX Kansas. Heavy Pork can also be seen on FOX Tulsa and in Portsmouth, VA and Watertown, NY.
Left: Leann Rimes with Sidewalks TV
Below: Matt Stillwell with the Bobby T Show
Above: John Rich with Sidewalks TV
Right: Jason Aldean with Music Mix USA
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Status Overview
Video continues to be a dominant medium when it comes to artist exposure and new music discovery. According to a recent study
conducted by Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. and Edison Research, 48 percent of the 13,000 people polled indicated they discovered
new music “often” by watching music video channels. CMT Pure is facilitating that exposure by opening up its playlist and adding 12-15
slots in their programming for additional videos. Similarly, radio stations are implementing music videos on their websites like never before,
and once the analog-to-digital television conversion is completed in summer 2009, multicasting will open up the opportunity for more
locally produced video programs and local 24/7 country video channels. The true “media value” of video is often grossly understated. When thought of in monetary terms, the cost of producing a music video is
only a fraction of buying traditional advertising, and really, isn’t a video essentially an extended advertisement for an artist? A typical TV
commercial can easily cost $300k-$400k to produce a national 30-second ad. Consider that a 3:30 video costs $60k to produce, and the
true value of a music video becomes clear, not to mention the added benefit of a built-in, targeted audience. The Internet licensing
revenues alone bear out the continued vitality of the video format, topping out at more than $300 million in 2008. Additionally, video
continues to expand its reach overseas, with satellite providers like Sky Italy creating multi-hour blocks of dedicated country video
programming for its viewers. In Germany, a 24/7 program called TV Country is currently in development for this year.
Simply put, there are a broad range of outlets available for video placement today, and nothing has been proven to connect with an
audience more effectively. Here is a breakdown of AristoMedia’s current outlets:
5 National Cable Outlets
13 Broadband Sites
6 Outlets in Multiple Regions
15 Video Pools & Closed Circuit Distributors
8 International Outlets
68 Regional Programs
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