ABC to Broadcast 46th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS, 11/1

The Country Music Association and ABC Television Network have announced that THE 46th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS will air THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

"The CMA Awards recognizes the best in the format - that's what makes this 'Country Music's Biggest Night,'" said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "The CMA Awards is one of the most highly anticipated events for our industry each year. It's a night to honor our finest performers, songwriters, record producers, musicians and music video directors."

The 2011 CMA Awards was the No. 1 entertainment show for the week among the key advertising Adults 18-49 sales demographic. The special beat its nearest competition by 5.6 million viewers and by 26 percent in Adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. Held during November Sweeps (November 9), "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" on ABC dominated the night, winning all six of its half-hours in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. With a primetime sweep, ABC finished No. 1 on the night in Viewers across all key demos, including Adults, Men and Women (18-34/18-49/25-54), as well as finishing as the top broadcaster with Teens (12-17). In Total Viewers (16.4 million; 17.49 Live+7) and Adults 18-49 (4.8/13; 5.2/14 Live+7), it was ABC's strongest Wednesday in two years, with an estimated 35 million viewers watching at least some portion of the three-hour, live gala.

The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 11,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958.

Winners of "The 46th Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.