CMT Kicks Off First-Ever “CMT Music Awards Week” with Live Original Programming, All-New Performances and Multiple Awards-Themed Specials

CMT today announced a slew of star-studded specials slated for the first-ever CMT MUSIC AWARDS WEEK, taking place Saturday, April 9th – Friday, April 15th. The week kicks off with “Hot 20 Countdown LIVE,” the series’ first-ever LIVE special, followed by the official “CMT Music Awards Nominee Special” and the “CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Special,” giving fans a front-row seat to all the pre-show excitement in preparation for the 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS on CBS on Monday, April 11th @ 8:00PM LIVE ET/delayed PT.

Joining CMT’s longtime host Cody Alan as co-host for the various CMT MUSIC AWARDS WEEK specials is Carissa Culiner, CMT’s newest face who hails from morning entertainment series E! Daily Pop; Joining them for “Hot 20 Countdown Live” is correspondent Rissi Palmer; Ashley ShahAhmadi will join the CMT Hot 20 Team as special correspondent during the Red Carpet Special.

“HOT 20 COUNTDOWN LIVE” – April 9th @ 9AM/8c

“CMT Hot 20 Countdown” goes LIVE for the first time from downtown Nashville with a three-hour special hosted by Cody Alan, Rissi Palmer, and Carissa Culiner*. CMT MUSIC AWARDS co-host KELSEA BALLERINI provides a sneak peek of the upcoming show, while CARRIE UNDERWOOD, the MVP of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS talks about her 23-award winning streak from her Las Vegas residency. “Hot 20” provides more behind-the-scenes action as hosts go backstage at show rehearsals and count down the week’s top music videos, with special appearances by BLAKE SHELTON and JIMMIE ALLEN, and performances from TENILLE ARTS, CHAPEL HART, RISSI PALMER, and ELVIE SHANE.

“CMT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATION SPECIAL” – April 10th @ 9p/8c

CMT’S Cody Alan and Carissa Culiner host “CMT Music Awards Nomination Special” – a half-hour celebration featuring the star-packed list of CMT MUSIC AWARDS nominees. CMT’s most-winning artist CARRIE UNDERWOOD sits down for a brand new interview on her illustrious history with the awards show, superstar nominees KANE BROWN and THOMAS RHETT reflect on their nominated videos, and CMT MUSIC AWARDS co-host, actor ANTHONY MACKIE shares his excitement as he gets ready for Nashville’s biggest party!

“CMT MUSIC AWARDS RED CARPET SPECIAL” – Monday, April 11th @ 7PM/6c

In the hour leading up to the 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS on CBS, hosts Cody Alan, Carissa Culiner and Ashley ShahAhmadi welcome a steady stream of country music superstars as they arrive at country music’s only entirely fan-voted awards show! Country star JORDAN DAVIS is set to kick up the energy on the CMT red carpet with a live performance of his #1 hit “Buy Dirt” and more.

“Hot 20 Countdown LIVE,” “CMT Music Awards Nominee Special” and the “CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Special” will premiere during the first-ever CMT MUSIC AWARDS WEEK, featuring all-new original programming culminating with the “CMT Music Awards Extended Cut” featuring 30 extra minutes of bonus content and performances on Friday, April 15th @ 8PM/7c. Additional previously announced specials slated for CMT MUSIC AWARDS WEEK include “CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends,” “CMT Campfire Sessions: Little Big Town” and CMT Storytellers: Brooks & Dunn.”

About Carissa Culiner*:

Carissa is an Emmy-Nominated television personality, who is the co-host of CMT’s “Hot 20 Countdown,” a weekly, two-and-a-half-hour series delivering chart-topping music videos, news stories, live performances, and candid interviews from country music’s biggest stars. Before that, she was co-host on E!’s “Daily Pop,” correspondent for “E! News” and the creator and co-producer of Mom2Mom, an E! News original series where Carissa sat down with celebrity moms for a real, down-to-earth and open conversation about the truths of motherhood. Carissa is also no stranger to country music. She started her career in country radio, and co-hosted the show “Scotty & Carissa in the Morning” on the award-winning station Clear 99 (KCLR-FM). While hosting, she was nominated for numerous broadcasting awards and a recipient of the “CMA Personality of the Year” Award and the NAB Marconi Radio Award for “Personality of the Year.” In 2012, Carissa moved on to be managing editor and anchor for the online news company, Newsy. At Newsy, Carissa helped manage the company’s partnership with AOL, specifically focusing on AOL’s Morning Rush and TV Replay series. She also hosted for Newsy and other company partners, including TIME Magazine and About.com.