CMA Fest’s ABC Broadcast Gets Hammered in Ratings – Exposes Deeper Ratings Issue for Country
Didn’t put forth the effort to watch “CMA Fest: Country’s Night to Rock” Tuesday night (8-4), with performances from Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Brett Eldridge, and hosted by Little Big Town? Well apparently you’re not alone.
The condensed rebroadcast of performances from early June’s CMA Fan Fest’s LP Field stage in Nashville took a ratings nosedive in 2015, shedding a whopping 37% in viewership year over year, and getting killed in a key demographic.
The broadcast on ABC scored a 3.3 overnight household rating, down considerably from 2014’s rating of 4.3—a 37% plummet. With the key demographic of 18 to 49-year-olds, the viewership declined from 7.27 million viewers (1.9 rating) last year, to 5.19 million viewers (1.2 rating) in 2015 in the 8:00 to 11:00 EDT time slot—a 29% decline. In other words, it was a ratings bloodbath.
“CMA Fest: Country’s Night to Rock” got handedly beat by NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” on the night. The talent show pulled a 2.1 ratings share for 18 to 49-year-olds, and received an estimated 9.9 million viewers in its time slot.
The poor numbers for the CMA Fest broadcast reinforce that regardless of how much we hear about how big country music has become by shedding roots and substance for widespread appeal, the numbers are not adding up. In 2014, the country genre saw a precipitous sales drop of 16.7% compared to the all-genre sales slip of 11.2% according to Nielsen Soundscan. The sales drop across music was mostly due to the move to streaming music by consumers, but country’s drop outpaced the rest of the industry by a serious margin.
Country music also didn’t see one single album sell more than 1 million copies last year, though both Eric Church and Jason Aldean have eeked out platinum status for their recent releases in the last month—well behind schedule from two of country music’s male superstars. Meanwhile names like Jason Isbell, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Aaron Watson are scoring #1’s on country’s album charts, but are being ignored in mainstream presentations. Ratings on country radio have also been in serious decline so far in 2015.
READ: Country Radio in a Tailspin with a Key Demographic
Though Bro-Country and acts like Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, and Luke Bryan did very well for country ratings in the short-term, we’re beginning to see an erosion of ratings spanning across multiple measurables and media sources—possibly a symptom of years of mainstream country music alienating the genre’s long-term fan base by virtually ignoring female artists, and not being inclusive with either older artists or country artists of substance. All of these adverse trends were clearly evident during Tuesday night’s CMA Fest presentation on ABC, and the numbers reinforce the signs of a deepening disconnect with consumers.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:00 pm
I attended two of the nightly shows during CMA Fest and the highlight, without a doubt, was Alan Jackson. Although only allotted a limited amount of time, he played his biggest hits, new material, and added in a tribute to Jim Ed Brown, who had passed away that afternoon. He was a class act.
It’s such a shame that ABC/CMA allowed Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, FGL, Brett Eldredge multiple performances on last night’s telecast and Alan couldn’t even get one spot. Very disappointing.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:09 pm
Yes, if you’re handing out multiple performances to Brett Eldredge, you’re telling me you can’t give Alan Jackson one song? He’s a major label artist who just released an album and has won the CMA Entertainer of the Year. How many people is Alan Jackson drawing to one of his concerts, and how many is Brett Eldredge? No wonder the ratings took a nosedive.
August 5, 2015 @ 3:06 pm
Well.. Eldredge is certainly nowhere near where Jackson was in his prime. However, the sad fact is that Jackson played a show in Macon a couple years ago, and sold maybe a quarter of the 10,000 seat arena. It was really sad to see such a gracious country legend do so poorly. One of the nicest guys ever. Maybe we are finally seeing things turn around? Of course, Luke Bryan will be playing to 20,000 when his Farm Tour rolls into town.
August 5, 2015 @ 3:11 pm
Not sure where Jackson was a few years ago, but his 25th Anniversary tour appears to be selling very well. It partly might have to do with the fact that he stepped up into the space vacated when George Strait retired from touring.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:11 pm
I can’t remember if it was last year or the year before. Aaron Tippin was schedule to preform about two hours from me, Aaron walked out onstage to about 14 people in attendance. He just walked off and never bothered with one song.
August 6, 2015 @ 4:20 am
I was very disappointed when I didn’t see any of the longtime real country singers. Who wants to see the ones they had up there, hear that on the radio all the time, I would really loved to have seen Allen Jackson, and by the way he has a new song out!
August 6, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
There is only one young artist that can save true country music. Judge for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksV2NNV9abo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxc4njqmFEs
August 5, 2015 @ 12:04 pm
One problem is that all these shows have the same handful of acts who aren’t really that different at all….most are even losing their 1980s styled rock edge with bland unmemorable melodies…ha seen one ha seen them all…
August 5, 2015 @ 12:07 pm
Also, with all the new awards shows, iHeartMedia’s “country” festival, it seems like every six weeks or so there’s another special presentation on TV< until none of them feel special anymore. It was pretty much the same lineup as the CMT Awards not too long, and iHeart's presentation. Once again the have's get all the face time, and the have not's are not even mentioned. Mainstream country is so top heavy right now, it's tipping over.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:22 pm
I flipped over to it twice last night after 10. Didn’t hear any country, so flipped back to a repeat of a crime show instead, which was much more interesting.
August 5, 2015 @ 1:33 pm
Sounds like you just flipped between 2 crime shows
August 5, 2015 @ 1:52 pm
Haha! Well played, Will, well played. 🙂
August 5, 2015 @ 3:57 pm
That was a good one; Will.
August 5, 2015 @ 2:08 pm
Criminal Minds? That’s what I was flipping back and forth from.
August 5, 2015 @ 2:58 pm
Yep. 🙂
August 5, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
Now if this was a replay of Newport folk.. Id be all over that
August 5, 2015 @ 12:27 pm
The sad thing is I don’t see the light bulb going off in the industry’s head, and a return to music with more substance and more “country” instrumentation. Instead they will push forward force feeding us more and more garbage until the genre is completely dead and void of real fans. Once that is accomplished only one form of homogenized mainstream music will exist (on t.v. and radio), thus streamlining the music industry and therefore making it more profitable to operate.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:28 pm
One issue is the cycle takes so long. They could be making that move (while milking the other) and we may not know it for some time.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:29 pm
I’m a grown man who doesn’t want to watch twenty something clowns and immature 40 year olds all acting like it’s Friday night and nobody has any responsibilities. It’s immature! Now if you’ll excuse me I have to get a Thomas the Tank Engine book rebound.
August 5, 2015 @ 1:53 pm
I’m 32 year old, and I’ve never felt so old in my life as I do when I try to talk about country music. Even with peers.
August 5, 2015 @ 1:59 pm
I’m 20. I still listen to 78 rpm records, and Roy Rogers, and Jimmie Rodgers… I don’t feel old at all, I feel like an alien trying to adapt to life on Earth.
August 5, 2015 @ 2:05 pm
Oh listening to it doesn’t’ make me feel old at all. Trying to TALK about it, I always seem to wind up with some variation of “kids these days.”
August 5, 2015 @ 3:59 pm
Aside from my work (my inner circle there comprises an opera singer, a bro-country fan, and a guy who has a really disturbing crush on Lana Del Rey, so musically diverse group) most of my “friends” are the old-timers I learned country and bluegrass from. I don’t have that problem too much.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:47 pm
I didn’t even know it was on last night. I was watching baseball.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:58 pm
I was watching baseball too.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:58 pm
Country music has become It’s own worst enemy. They find something that sells then they replicate it to death. You watch these shows and honestly Sam, Cole, FGL, Luke, Rhett and Brett could all be singing the same song. No originally, not much talent (although Brett has the talent, he seems to want to fit in with the tools right now), no thinking outside the box. Just throw a some guys on stage with their current Country Mad Lib Top 40, give half of them a ball cap and the other half pretty hair and all skintight pants and you’ve got a “festival”. Yawn. It’s getting repetitious and stale.
August 5, 2015 @ 1:01 pm
I enjoy alot of the pop country music like FGL and Sam Hunt, but lets face it, IT IS NOT REAL COUNTRY. Pop country is called pop country for a reason, because it dangerously leans into Top 40 pop music. There NEEDS to be a format split, country and popular country. What the hell ever happened to that radio format split that was supposed to happen a year ago? Most of the music released this year has been straight-up TRASH, most don’t even have a country sound. Don’t care what anyone says, BRO COUNTRY WAS BETTER than the shit that has been coming out of Nashville since the last quarter of 2014. With bro country you could turn on the radio and be like yeah I think thats the country station. But 2015 country? You can sit there listening to the whole song and dont know whether you are listening to an adult contemporary station or pop, but then find out when the on air personality comes on that its actually the country station…
August 5, 2015 @ 1:52 pm
I agree. I thought we were seeing some signs that Bro Country might be waning, but whatever this is now is EVEN WORSE!
August 5, 2015 @ 7:00 pm
Yes, the problem with bro country was its sameness, its unoriginality, its dominance, and its lack of respect for women, as well as a lack of respect for the roots and legends of the genre by the artists who popularized it. Still, with all that going for it, it sounded like country, or at least pop country. This pop/r&b/metro-politan/EDM crap is devoid of anything resembling country. The farther from country you go, the more country airplay you get.
August 5, 2015 @ 1:35 pm
180 minutes and only one performance by a solo female…Carrie’s “Little Toy Guns”. The rest was a sausage fest.
August 5, 2015 @ 2:47 pm
Personally, I listen to the Grand Ole Opry last night. Mo Pitney covered “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?” Had the TV on mute and switched tob ABC to see if Alan was on there. Some clown in girl pants was prancing around the stage. I figured out quickly that girly man wasn’t the answer to what Mo was signing and turned it off to listen to the young man that has the talent and material to help right the ship.
August 5, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
Sadly, I was out earlier in the evening and missed Mo on the Opry. He’s playing near me in October with Brantley Gilbert, Sam Hunt, Thompson Square, Canaan Smith. I’m tempted to pay the money, listen to Mo and then leave …
August 5, 2015 @ 9:04 pm
Saw Mo tonight! Incredible. He played allot of music coming up on his new album. There were at least 2 Dean Dillon co writes that were awesome. It was all acoustic, so we will see how they pan out on release.
Covers from Gene, Keith, Vern, Don and a couple of gospel tunes. Hopefully Curb will let him keep it this way.
August 5, 2015 @ 2:58 pm
I tried, really tried, to watch that mess last night but I couldn’t stomach it. My wife had it on dvr. I was sure glad because I fast forwarded thru most of it until I got to Carrie Underwood. Listened to her and went to bed. I didn’t hear one song that was country. Bad, bad stuff.
August 5, 2015 @ 3:07 pm
Country music these days is loosely sung by aging men-children who need to eat more cheeseburgers wearing skinny jeans with strategically placed rips showing off freshly waxed chests in designer shirts doing embarrassing backyard bbq dad dances while strutting across a stage filled with lights and pyrotechnics spewing out a laundry list of lyrics about what makes them country into a microphone and halfway pretending to strum the strings of a guitar along to the mechanical beat of a drum machine to an audience of 12 year old girls who got introduced to country music by Taylor Swift and sing along to every lyric like the words actually have some deeper meaning.
August 5, 2015 @ 3:13 pm
As a connoisseur and author of many run-on sentences, I just have to say bravo Old Man B.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:04 pm
lmao
August 5, 2015 @ 8:50 pm
Old Man B . THAT was impressive . And here I thought I had a shot at the run-on-train- of -thought award for all the huffing and puffing I do around here . I bow down to you…I am not worthy !
August 5, 2015 @ 3:33 pm
That is a quality gripe!
August 5, 2015 @ 4:08 pm
“Embarrassing backyard BBQ Dad dances” is the best thing I’ve read in a long time. That is such an awesome and on point way to describe it.
August 5, 2015 @ 5:50 pm
I don’t know how you could put it better than that.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:09 pm
“Embarrassing backyard BBQ Dad dances.”
Lol thanks for pointing this out because I am blind and that is a perfect description and gives me a great picture…I am glad I don’t have to see them dance!
August 6, 2015 @ 6:36 am
This is the best comment I’ve read on a website in quite some time; I read it to my coworkers. Thanks for cheering up my morning (er…as depressing as the subject is, lol.)
August 5, 2015 @ 3:28 pm
I am glad I didn’t waste 3 hours of my time watching this so called country fest. Did I miss something important music on this show yesterday?
August 5, 2015 @ 3:42 pm
“But Alan Jackson was never really a country singer. He’s more bluegrass.” Quote from a twenty-something relative of mine, who might be speaking for the majority of the CMA show’s target demographic.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:04 pm
I think they’re target demographic haven’t turned 17 yet.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:43 pm
whattheheck that is like the third time this week I’ve used they’re instead of their I’m slipping it’s kind of embarassing
August 5, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
Feel free to inform your relative that he/she is too dumb to be allowed out in public without adult supervision. And add a firm slap to the back of the head if you can get away with it.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:08 pm
I’d like to see the return of the Package Show concept. I saw Merle twice in the past few months and it’s true, the venues are theaters – not stadiums. One was full and the other was cordoned off in a manner that only half the theater was utilized. I don’t know the actual attendance numbers. Maybe 3 or 4 acts together would be more appealing and add value for the fans. Hag performs with his sons and Noel opens for him. Maybe artists don’t want to be beholden to one another and the logistics maybe too much of a hassle these days. I don’t know… but it would be nice.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:43 pm
I’ve bought tickets to three show this year; Dave Matthews, Ronnie Milsap/BJ Thomas and Willie Nelson/OCMS. Dave was, of course,a packed ampitheatre (I’d say 8,000ish), Ronnie/TJ were in a 3,000 seat venue that I,m guessing was 2/3 full. Willie/OCMS hasn’t happened yet but sold out that same 3000 seat venue over a month ago. Ronnie and TJ have like 50 #! hits between them….easily more than Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and OCMS combined. This is just a guess, but I think Willie and OCMS will probably have a lot of the same people in attendance that were at the Dave Matthews show, where as Ronnie and TJ did not. I think that the classic or quality country acts that do well these days are the ones that have that “hippie appeal.” Willie has it. Ronnie Doesn’t. Sadly, the hippie crowd supports a lot of real country music much more than the country crowd does. I assume it’s the same way with music sales. Anybody agree or did I just catch too much of a contact buzz at the Dave Matthews show?
August 5, 2015 @ 6:23 pm
Oh, I think you’re spot on in your observation.
Although Dave Matthews has NEVER been country, the kind of fans he and his bandmates have won over the years are lovers of instrumentally-driven music regardless of style. Same with Grateful Dead, Phish, Wilco, Widespread Panic and The Old 97’s just to name a handful.
The Zac Brown Band are présently trying to tap into that same vein themselves (although the overture announced today that they will be releasing “Beautiful Drug” to BOTH Country and Top 40/Hot Adult Contemporary radio is the worst cynically-minded possible approach in achieving that.)
August 5, 2015 @ 4:49 pm
That’s BJ BTW.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:52 pm
“There”™s only two kinds of music, the blues and zippity doo dah.”
If you understand what Townes was saying, you get it. If you don’t, you probably never will.
August 5, 2015 @ 5:01 pm
I was surprised at how much the newer group of performers were featured and pushed. Easily more than ever before.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:13 pm
I’m beginning to notice country reviewers and longtime fans waving the white flag and essentially saying: “Alright Borchetta & Co…………….you win! Americana is pretty much what country really is today anyway!”………………and pretending the Americana chart is the Country chart by proxy.
I mean, I get the feelings of hopelessness in thé meanwhile, but I consider it absolutely unwise to forfeit the tug-of-war altogether. Plastering “Americana” over a honky tonk sign that has long read “Country” is NO solution whatsoever; especially seeing that both Alternative and Adult Alternative radio are much more inclined to play acts that chart under “Americana” and yet both formats are not only in the midst of longtime identity crises since Alternative decided it’s not Active Rock-lite and Adult Alternative decided it’s not a more Baby Boomer-friendly version of Hot Adult Contemporary………….their playlists are practically interchangeable.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:25 pm
I’m certain , from folks I know in the business and people at our gigs ,a big factor for the decline in ratings and sales ( aside from the exhaustively poor quality of the songs ) is the overexposure of the same ol same ol acts on these show. Its like there are only 10 acts the industry really cares about exposing show in and show out . And not one of the acts has any mystique whatsoever . They are completely forced down our throats year after year by radio , internet , print and TV . They leave no stone unturned when it comes to trying to show us how they are ” just like us ” . Years ago Jack Lemmon , the great actor , said , when asked why he didn’t make more movies ( paraphrasing ) ” My management won’t let me . They don’t want to overexpose me so I can only do one major movie every 4-5 years ” . He had a pretty damned long career . Most country acts are NEVER out of our faces , it seems . Unless its THE WIZARD OF OZ how many times do we need to watch the SAME movie?
Acts like U2 , Madonna , Coldplay . Prince , Stevie… even the Stones , for God’s sake , know how to piece themselves out so its still a HUGE deal when they release something or hit the road ….whether we are fans or not . I don’t know where Mick lives or what Madge does on her down time or whether the Edge likes fishing or bowling …and I don’t give a fuck . These acts are icons ( again ..like it or not ) and they were managed in a way that would guarantee them that status . I don’t need to see Keith Urban one more time in my lifetime …..whether I like him or not ( which I don’t ) . He’s fucking everywhere all the time ! NO MYSTIQUE . That’s a HUGE factor in the longevity of the biggest and most successful . Todays acts , management , labels and TV just milk everything until there’s no milk left ….and NO interest .
How bout getting off the pony and letting some of the other kids have a ride ??????
August 6, 2015 @ 10:22 am
Tom Parker’s refusal to let anyone have photos or interviews with the greatest entertainer in history sure paid off big-time. The ellusiveness, the mysteriousness, it all worked big for the king of rock’n’roll. Elvis has since outsold and out-concerted every other entertainer who has come before or since. Now I can’t get away from the celebrities. Donald Trump is on everything from my cereal to my ink pen, the kardashians are woven onto my seat covers, Luke Bryan is on a candle… Can you imagine a velvet Donald Trump? Velvet Elvis is one thing (plus when they glow in the dark it’s really cool)
August 6, 2015 @ 2:33 pm
Good point. It becomes less special when Luke Bryan releases a new album every two years, tours year round and is constantly on television. Between award shows, concert specials and talk show appearances he’s on TV at least once a month. Plus Twitter and everything.
August 7, 2015 @ 8:03 pm
Since most of the current country acts have little substance and are only imitating each other, it would be disastrous to them take time off. If they left the spotlight for any length of time, no one would remember who they were when they came back. Their only business model is to grab the cash while it is available.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:46 pm
I tried to watch it with open mind. It was brutal. Seriously, FGL opened sounding like a broken record out of tune. Then when Thomas Rhett came on my 8 year old said “dad these guys all sound the same”.
Jesus ain’t that the truth. Country music should be embarrassed about the show.
August 7, 2015 @ 5:30 am
My 11 year old goddaughter, who always loved country, watched me flipping stations in the car yesterday and when I couldnt find anything that was anything close to country on the 3 stations in my area, pointed out that all country sounds the same as pop now anyway!
August 6, 2015 @ 6:19 am
I didn’t watch anything on TV last night much less some ridiculous ABC telecast broadcasting highlights from a music festival that took place in the middle of June.
Come on college football…. hurry up and get here!!
August 6, 2015 @ 7:12 am
I know for a fact alot of the mccreerians boycotted watching brcause Scotty wasnt on there.
August 7, 2015 @ 4:27 pm
There is not an artist on earth today that can out shine this young artist. He is country all the way, and he is the most moral and decent young man I have ever met. He makes you love him because of his goodness and his God given talent. Had they had him on the show last tuesday night, he would have shined like the stars in heaven, and been the show. The others are nothing compared to Scotty. He is country music in every respect and shines like a newborn babies butt. Scotty McCreery is his name and his new song will download on August 24th, and go to radio on Sept 7th. The radio station are already saying they are obsessed with his new song called Southern Belle. Scotty has his own tour, but he is also the opening act for Rascal Flatts and he will be with them in Dallas tomorrow night. If your not just blowing smoke, but truly want your country music back, then get behind him. He is country musics Golden Boy and there is none like him.
August 9, 2015 @ 10:12 am
Just make sure you tell him to beam you up.
August 9, 2015 @ 2:00 pm
You lame brain idiot. Let’s see you get up there and show us how it’s done.
August 9, 2015 @ 3:04 pm
I play fifteen instruments and have a music theory degree. I’ve played in a band every week since I was sixteen. I’m one of the most celebrated people in my local music scene, I’ve been to Interlochen Arts Academy AND Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp… I could totally take up your challenge.
August 6, 2015 @ 8:52 am
Not surprising. They’ve alienated the core fanbase in search of mainstream respect that they will never ever get. To country fans, they are sellouts who have pissed away the great traditions of country music. To pop fans, they are always going to be second rate hicks who are trying too hard to be cool. Pretty much the same problem NASCAR is having nowadays. 😉
August 6, 2015 @ 8:57 am
sad and getting sadder, bad and getting badder….repeat X 48…mod repeat X 24 fade and end on………………..COUNTRY MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSICCCCCC another Bro-country hit…….Thank you and good night.
August 6, 2015 @ 2:30 pm
I’ve often thought country music will lose momentum when the TV show “Nashville” ends. That show has given country weekly television presence and has helped promote ABC’s partnership with the CMAs. It also helped country music reach a new audience. When it’s over, the city Nashville loses a lot of great publicity and the CMA’s lose a great promotion partner.
August 7, 2015 @ 6:33 am
My wife got me into this show. The crazy thing about is is the music these fictional artists are playing is way better than what the real Nashville is putting out.
August 7, 2015 @ 11:07 pm
CMA – Country, my ass.
August 8, 2015 @ 11:30 am
Oh man … that is great. I am going to get or make a bumper sticker. Perfect.
August 8, 2015 @ 11:27 am
Country music has been slowly committing suicide for the last 20+ years – or “Murder on Music Row” as Alan and George sang. I am now “officially” an old timer, but when I was editor of a country music magazine in tony, cosmopolitan Washington, DC, which circulated into Virginia and Maryland, Country was number one – by a mile. The top station, WMZQ had twice the ratings of its nearest three competitors combined. Every night you could find a nearly a half dozen clubs in the Mid Atlantic featuring live country music. These were the days when Alan, Dwight, Suzy, Faith and Garth ruled and everyone knew who Radney was and Raul and the Mavericks were the hippest. I interviewed them all. Then the likes of Dream Works and Disney planted their flags on 16th Avenue and it was downhill from there. (Yeah, simplistic … but keeping it concise here.) It sickened me, and then one day I just did not renew my CMA membership. Country needs to get back to its roots and stay there, (which it has in some meaningful, and some modest wasys) or it will go the way Motown. Radio is much to blame as anything … but that is another rant.
August 9, 2015 @ 5:22 am
So, I have to ask; if the numbers are this bad across radio and TV, why is the mainstream doubling down on what is not working?
August 9, 2015 @ 7:32 am
That’s the million dollar question. Perhaps they’ve spent so much effort defending Bro-Country and the current direction in the mainstream, they’ve begun to believe their own marketing. After these events, we tend to see an interview with one of the producers shortly thereafter. It will be interesting to see what they have to say.
August 12, 2015 @ 11:00 pm
First time commenter but somewhat long time reader. I might be only 27 but I remember the country music scene of the mid 1990s and what a time it was. King George was really king, Alabama was still scoring hit after hit in one of the biggest hot streaks the genre has ever seen and Dwight was continuing to bring a little bit of rock and roll to country. Dave’s mention of the artists that I listened to when I was a kid and still do today is what drove me to say something. I did not see the CMAs this year but from the looks of things I did not miss anything at all. My area of the US (central Indiana) is saturated by bro-country radio stations with no one playing the classics or anything I remember from my childhood on a regular basis. The only FM Radio Disney affiliate was sold to iHeart Media and was turned into yet another bro-country outlet in an already over saturated market which made me sad to hear. We have a major hole when it comes to the legends and no one to fill it so in order to hear REAL country I must turn to either the internet or satellite radio.