Cumulus Media continues to expand its “Nash” Country brand into different facets of media.
The newest subset to debut is “Nash TV Films“, which will produce and distribute full-length movies via syndication. The first, “Walk Tall: The Journey of Sugarland’s Kristian Bush” will air over the first two weeks of September in over 80 markets reaching 53% of the country. Most of the stations airing the one-hour documentary are owned by Sinclair Broadcasting, however Tribune owned stations will air it in some major markets such as New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. A full list of stations and airtimes can be seen here.
Cumulus announces the launch of NASH TV Films, a new addition to the NASH Country music and lifestyle brand that will produce and distribute original feature-length films, with the debut of Walk Tall: The Journey of Sugarland’s Kristian Bush.
The original one-hour documentary film will air over the first two weekends of September across more than 80 markets, reaching 53% of the country, with TV stations nation-wide including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, Indianapolis, and Nashville, through the established platforms of Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest television broadcaster in the country, and other broadcasters.
Walk Tall chronicles the life and career of Country superstar Kristian Bush of the Grammy award winning act Sugarland. The Executive Producers of Walk Tall are Cumulus executives John Dickey, Executive Vice President of Content and Programming, and Stokes Nielson, Director of Video Content, Strategy & Production. Nielson is also the director of the film.
“Walk Tall represents NASH’s expansion of original content into long-form films and documentaries, giving our audience incredible one-of-a-kind access into the lives and legacies of their favorite artists,” said Dickey, Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus. “We are partnering with Sinclair Broadcast Group for the first of a powerful line of films that capture the heart and spirit of Country music as seen through the eyes of fans and the artists.”
“This is the story of my life and my career over the past twenty years – from my mother passing away to my divorce to the tragedy in Indiana – and the bands and the songs that came from those experiences,” said Bush, a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. “I’m excited to be here at the start of this promising partnership, experiencing firsthand the way Cumulus and Sinclair are dreaming up the future of how stories will be told in the music business and helping artists like me share music with more people than ever.”
“We are excited for the upcoming airing of this moving story as our first national television special in the country music entertainment genre,” said Steve Pruett, Co-Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair Television Group. “We anticipate that the popularity of country music combined with the scale of our television platform, along with Cumulus’ platform, and cross promoted with radio, TV and station websites, will drive a significant audience experience. Cumulus has proven to be a great partner and we look forward to broadcasting this line of country music films with them.”
“NASH TV Films are made to inspire and entertain,” added Nielson. “Not only for the 100+ million die-hard Country fans that are our base, but also for a global audience that has an insatiable appetite for powerful stories and real artistry. The amazing journey of Kristian Bush fits that bill perfectly.”
NASH is the only multiplatform Country music and lifestyle brand in the U.S. In addition to Country radio stations, the NASH brand includes NASH Country Weekly magazine, live concerts/events, online content, television programming and now original feature-length films. Country radio programs originate from Cumulus Media’s NASH campus in Nashville, the nation’s only multimedia facility devoted solely to producing and distributing content based on the Country music lifestyle.
