The Grand Ole Opry is Finally Returning to Television
Back on April 24th, the Opry Entertainment Group announced they would be launching a “Lifestyle television channel” in early 2020 with the help of Atlanta-based Gray Television to focus on “Country music artists and the passions, hobbies and love of music they share with their fans.”
With Gray Television’s presence in 93 separate media markets in the United States covering roughly 25% of U.S. households, and the Opry’s parent company Ryman Hospitality claiming they can reach a digital audience of 46.6 million people, the idea sounded promising from a business standpoint, but they didn’t really fill in a lot of information about exactly what country fans could expect. Would it include interesting country music programming similar to some of the programs RFD-TV currently serves, or would it be similar to CMT, running reruns of Smokey & The Bandit all day and bad reality TV competitions?
On October 17th, the name of the new network was finally announced. Called “Circle,” it promises to offer entertainment news, documentaries and movies, licensed programming and archival content, as well as, “Entertainment experiences celebrating the country lifestyle [to] enrich the artist-fan connection that is the backbone of country music,” according to President of the Opry Entertainment Group, Scott Bailey.
Again, this could mean just about anything. But the biggest piece of news to come out of the official announcement of the Circle Network is that it will finally mark the return of the Grand Ole Opry to television. Right now all they’re promising is a “…weekly broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry.” No word if it will be a live broadcast, taped, a compilation of Opry performances from a week of shows since the Grand Ole Opry regularly runs on multiple days during the week, or something else.
Though audio of the Grand Ole Opry has always been broadcast by WSM-AM out of Nashville, and though the longest-running program on radio was syndicated across the country for decades (and now can be streamed online via WSM’s website), it’s been many years since the program that made country music famous could be seen on any screen. Certain moments and performances may be released via the Opry’s YouTube channel, but it tends to be a very select amount of material, even though cameras are stationed throughout the Opry House, and the building was designed specifically to work for television broadcasts.
The appearance of the Grand Ole Opry on television was always sporadic, starting on the very early days of the show. Between 1955 and 1956, ABC aired a live, hour-long Opry show each month on Saturday nights. A syndicated show called Stars of the Grand Ole Opry was the first ever television show shot in color. When the Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville to the Opry House east of town in 1974, part of the emphasis was to expand the Opry to television. But even though the Opry House was regularly used for awards ceremonies and such that made it onto television screens, Opry presentations were rare aside from PBS airing live performances once a year from 1978 to 1981.
In 1985, The Nashville Network began airing a half hour version of Opry performances under the title The Grand Ole Opry Live. It eventually moved to CMT and expanded to an hour, and then moved to GAC (Great American Country) where the program eventually fizzled. RFD-TV will show older Opry shows under the title Opry Archive, but that’s about the only presence of the Grand Ole Opry anywhere that’s not a radio or the online audio stream currently.
One of the reasons the Grand Ole Opry has been unable to maintain a presence on television is due to a lack of widespread interest. But on a network owned by the Opry Entertainment Group (and named after the iconic wood circle in the Opry House stage brought over from the original Ryman stage), it could work as flagship programming and a promotional tool for the venerable country music institution. The Grand Ole Opry is also one of the few major country music programs that still includes many older stars, while also giving opportunities to up-and-coming acts other broadcasts don’t.
Despite it’s decline in stature, the history of the the Grand Ole Opry is still strong, and makes for powerful moments when artists step into the hallowed circle to make their debut, or get asked to become permanent members. For too long these moments have been relegated to YouTube clips or cellphone video taken by fans. Hopefully the new Circle Network will be the place to broadcast these moments into the foreseeable future.
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The Circle network is expected to launch in early 2020, with a companion digital premium entertainment service to launch in the late spring of 2020.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:08 am
Wow that’s great news. I’d gladly pay a streaming service fee if it gave me access to full Opry broadcasts.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:43 am
So would many others. Sure, it’s still niche programming, but I would have loved to have seen the Cody Jinks debut, or the Ray Wylie Hubbard debut, or Sturgill Simpson rip through a pure bluegrass set. It’s 2019. And the Opry already is capturing top quality audio AND video of every show. Share it.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:23 pm
From what I understand, niche markets are the way to go with the increasingly crowded streaming field. I would gladly pay $10 a month or so to have access to a regular live stream as well as archival performances.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:08 am
With Ken Burn’s Country Music Documentary fresh in everyone’s minds, this is probably a good time to bring this back.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:40 am
Good point.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:12 am
This could be really good for the future of country music.
October 22, 2019 @ 5:17 pm
Yes
October 22, 2019 @ 9:37 am
I really could care less about seeing the Opry Broadcast. They have their favorites, as do many others in Music Business. To think one of our very best Country Singers(MIRANDA LAMBERT) isn’t a member, Yet they will bring in the Kelsea Ballerini’s. Oh well neither is our Best Male Country Artist George Strait a member.Who knows, both Miranda and George may too, careless. Hasn’t slowed either down with their Country Music or Country Fans!
October 22, 2019 @ 11:11 am
Miranda rarely performs at the Opry, which would probably be a major reason she’s not a member. George has declined the invitation to become a member since he lives in Texas.
October 22, 2019 @ 11:26 am
Opry Membership also has performance requirements… many well known artists decline Opry membership until later in their careers because of these requirements and the conflicts they introduce to their touring schedules.
October 22, 2019 @ 11:05 pm
Exactly. Sounds like someone didn’t do their homework.
October 22, 2019 @ 11:35 am
Or Willie freakin’ Nelson.
I never placed a bumper sticker on any of my trucks, but if someone made me “My Favorite Country Artists Don’t Play the Opry,” I’d stick it.
I grew up an hour north of Nashville and the Opry played on WSM every Saturday night regardless of what I was doing. That was 22 years ago and the Opry just doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.
October 22, 2019 @ 6:02 pm
Willie was a member of the Opry briefly in the 1960s.
October 22, 2019 @ 4:23 pm
Until the Opry does the proper and respectful thing and reinstates Hank Sr. they could give it to me for free and I would refuse to watch it.
October 22, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
Hank, Sr. died in 1953 so he wouldn’t be able to perform anyway so reinstating a dead person will never happen
October 23, 2019 @ 12:52 am
Just because he isn’t alive doesn’t mean he couldn’t be reinstated as a purely symbolic gesture to the memory of one of the country musics greatest singer/songwriters and one of the Opry’s most popular performers of his era. They could memorialize his name on the past members list like they do with every other member who passes away.
November 10, 2019 @ 10:21 pm
I agree..
October 22, 2019 @ 5:19 pm
Jeannie, not being negative to your comment, but i believe there are many people who would love to see the Opry come back into their homes, on a weekly basis.
My Great – Grandfather absolutely looked forward to it, when it was airing.
Great memory.
November 21, 2019 @ 5:51 pm
Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry means the artist has certain commitments and someone else controlling their music. Those who aren’t members are not by choice. One of the greatest who isn’t a member is Gene Watson – pure country.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:41 am
Who has attended the “main” Saturday night show at the Opry? I’m thinking about taking a long weekend in Nashville in 2020 and would love to get a little peek behind the curtain.
October 22, 2019 @ 10:33 am
Absolutely do it. One of the things I love about the Opry is that it’s fast paced. If you don’t like whoever is playing, they’ll be gone soon. Artists play their best stuff. Opry Mills is a pain to navigate if you aren’t familiar with it but it’s worth it if you’ve never been.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
DEFINITELY go! It’s a great atmosphere and they do feature classic country performers who you won’t see anywhere else. I went in 2007 and got to see Porter Wagoner, Bill Anderson, Jimmie C. Newman, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, George Hamilton IV, and Lynn Anderson.
October 23, 2019 @ 2:43 am
My mother and I lived in Nashville for about 18 months. Attended the Zooey every week. It is truly an unbelievable experience. You will love it!
October 22, 2019 @ 9:47 am
Luke Bryan will be there tonight. Given the current talent pool, I’m only half excited about this.
Now bring back Hee Haw! 😀
October 22, 2019 @ 9:59 am
There has also been talk of returning Hee-Haw. This network might be the ideal spot for it.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:00 pm
Hee-Haw, in the age of the woke [sic] scold? Maybe if its writers are led by Dave Chappelle…
October 22, 2019 @ 4:00 pm
Wait. You don’t think the All Jug Band would fly today? 😀
October 22, 2019 @ 4:47 pm
There are many aspects of Hee Haw that would be funny if updated. The Gloom Despair guys would be strung out on opioids. The barbershop would be in ebonics. The Honeys would all be strippers. Justice requires Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett reprise the Hager Twins. Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle for pickin and grinnin. Dolly Parton in the Minnie Pearl spot. And on and on.
Fish in a barrel.
October 22, 2019 @ 6:51 pm
Country Artist Kenny Lee has a great show of this nature in the Nashville area.
October 26, 2019 @ 11:01 pm
How about a universe of no? That show was just a stupid attempt to compete with Laugh-In anyway.
October 27, 2019 @ 3:13 pm
A stupid attempt that lasted for 19 years. They must’ve been doing something right.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:20 pm
It just wouldn’t be the same without Buck and Roy, Minnie and Grandpa, Lulu, the Hee Haw Honeys, and the rest.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:32 pm
We watch Heehaw every week just like we did when it first was on TV. It’s on the RFD network
October 22, 2019 @ 10:13 am
Whoa Kinky’s new album is out on Spotify now. What a nice surprise.
October 22, 2019 @ 10:13 am
The original Hee Haw shows are rerun on RFD-TV but updated shows would fit Circle perfectly.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
TNN was a favorite channel growing up. I would love to see this channel do something similar.
October 22, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
Any indication of where this will be broadcasting / streaming?
I’m off the cable train, so hoping there’s a Roku channel for this.
October 22, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
As soon as we have more information on specific channels and such, I’ll be sharing that. Gray Television owns over-the-air affiliates, so I don’t think this will be a cable deal. I think they’ll try to get it into as many TV networks as possible, and later offer a full access online option. I think the hope is anyone could see it anywhere, and hopefully outside the U.S. as well.
October 22, 2019 @ 11:27 pm
To speak to what Trigger mentioned, it will probably be on the digital subchannels of local NBC/ABC/CBS/Fox affiliates owned by Gray Television among other affiliates (i.e., the weird channels like 12.2, 11.3, and so on). In the wake of the Heartland network’s sharp decline (which is probably more on Luken’s continued struggles) and the cord-cutting epidemic that is plaguing cable companies (who provide the bulk of views for local affiliates), it remains to be seen if audiences will be receptive to another try at a country subchannel. However, way more niche subchannels are apparently surviving (e.g., Grit, Bounce TV, MeTV), so between the powerhouses of Gray and Opry, they should be able to make that part work.
However, they definitely should not bet on a “companion digital premium entertainment service” to make Circle profitable or keep it afloat. The Circle app will not be the must-have Netflix of country music, and Gray and Opry could sink the whole thing by sinking millions of dollars into a paid digital concept that will not draw the masses.
October 22, 2019 @ 1:58 pm
Great article and news! I have questioned for years why CMT has not capitalized on Nashville being the “it” city. The reruns of “Smoky and the Bandit” and “Steel Magnolias” has made the network outdated. I like the video countdown show on Saturday morning, but unfortunately, the network never shows videos. Now is the time to have a Crook and Chase-type talk show, a “Nashville Now”-type weekly variety show and shows showcasing Nashville eateries. Also, how about a few Nashville-based Home Makeovers shows? In addition, with Dollywood being such a success, why is Gaylord not considering opening Opryland, Part Two? I believe theme/amusement parks are no longer just for summer. Dollywood’s Fall Fest, Christmas lights, etc. is the new model of how to make money. This would be a boom for the Donelson area of Nashville.
October 23, 2019 @ 6:15 am
Dolly had a deal to open a theme park in Nashville, but that deal went sour (Trigger wrote about it recently). I think there is a market for it. CMT seems to have a missed opportunity, as it mainly shows Last Man Standing reruns and re-airings of The Blind Side everyday.
October 22, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
It would be wonderful if The Grand O’l Opry would be back on TV. I just hope it will be on a channel i can watch. I can’t afford Cable.
October 22, 2019 @ 3:24 pm
you can’t make everyone happy.just bring it on.i am 77 yrs old that was the music back then.if you don’t like it turn it off***************************
October 22, 2019 @ 3:51 pm
About time!
October 22, 2019 @ 5:26 pm
If they’re going to stick to traditional country music, which is the foundation and something that the industry apparently doesn’t care about, I’d watch it. If they follow the trend, however, it’ll become MTv lite, or in other words, crap.
October 22, 2019 @ 5:49 pm
Put some good country on channels you don’t half to pay extra for. When you are a senior you can afford all this. Every week end sports on every channel. That’s unneccesay. Everyone doesn’t like sports. Every channel every week end we don like paying for nothing but sports. Put country on regular channels!!
October 22, 2019 @ 6:42 pm
The Gray Television stations this would air on would not be cable. These are local, over-the-air affiliates. The only catch is they are not in every media market, so there would be gaps in coverage. That is where digital options would come into play.
October 22, 2019 @ 5:57 pm
Did anyone else get the Circle reference? If that’s meant to be a subtle nod to the Opry’s origin, which I’m pretty sure it is, hopefully it signals a direction the programming might take.
Please, baby Jesus.
October 22, 2019 @ 6:01 pm
Would love to see the Opry return to television..I am a classic country fan but listen to new country as well. Miss the TNN Network that had a lot of the country artists autobiography movies as well. The talk shows interviewing the artist was always a favorite of mine such as Ralph Emery, Gary Chapmen, Crook and Chase…creativity energized can produce interesting fodder for educating and entertainment….
October 22, 2019 @ 6:07 pm
Hey Trigger, could you review HARDY’s new “Hixtape” album? I am curious to know your thoughts on it.
October 22, 2019 @ 6:44 pm
There have been a TON of releases lately and I am trying to post as many reviews as I can. I give priority to independent artists first, but the Hardy album is on my radar and I’ll get to it if I can.
October 23, 2019 @ 6:44 am
I’ll review it.
Never listened to it but I can safely say I would give it a 0/10.
October 22, 2019 @ 7:00 pm
I think it could be as good. Similar… Maybe even better
October 22, 2019 @ 9:13 pm
would love to see the country shows again.
October 22, 2019 @ 9:46 pm
Maybe they’ll showcase real country artists… and air re-runs of Fandango!
Someone commented about a possible weekly ‘Nashville Now’ type show. What a tremendous undertaking to produce a show of this caliber and quality EVERY weekday night…and it did very well for a nightly, LIVE program airing on a secondary, cable-only network. In our mid twenties, it was our nightly show to watch.
And I wonder what Ralph Emery is up to these days…????????????????????
October 22, 2019 @ 9:59 pm
I would love to see the Grand Ole Opry on TV again!!! Please let it be affordable to watch!
October 22, 2019 @ 11:14 pm
I have tons of vcr tapes with the Grand Ole Opry on it when it was on TNN & GAC. This is great news for me, and I look forward to any updates here on this site.
The only thing I don’t look forward to is Mr. John Conlee in mom jeans. I say this with no ill will intent. Can we get this legendary crooner a wardrobe stylist, please?!
October 23, 2019 @ 12:19 am
The Ken Burns County Music Documentary was mentioned. I watched part of it. Was not pleased. We did NOT need to hear Ray Charles say GD. That was totally unnecessary and Mr. Burns should have edited it out. Totalled ruined it for me.
October 23, 2019 @ 8:47 am
Donna,
So 16 hours (or whatever) of really good television was ruined for you by one word that you hear in every middle school hallway? Religious or not, that is ridiculous.
October 24, 2019 @ 2:56 pm
You are crazy.
October 23, 2019 @ 6:21 am
I have hope this will be good,but I have a bad feeling it will be mostly about bro country “stars” and what they do when they aren’t assaulting us with their “music”.
Archival content would be great.I would pay for that.
October 23, 2019 @ 8:04 am
NOTHING DEFINITE,INFO.
October 23, 2019 @ 10:37 am
I’ll watch if they let Trig host a “Saving Country Music” program.
October 23, 2019 @ 4:04 pm
It’s about time. That’s one thing to say. Missed TNN for years now, and only thing that came close has been great programming on RFD (except for occasional things on CMT or GAC). I grew up loving traditional country music and the artists in ’80s and ’90s who carried it on pretty well. Hope carriers like Directv or Comcast will carry the new network, though. Our internet is so bad a lot of the time, I have problems with it for work purposes, let alone streaming anything.
October 23, 2019 @ 5:33 pm
Wouldn’t be The Grand Ole Opry if it wasn’t LIVE !
I hope they don’t go back to that drinking cheating woe is me music;
Rather play the New Country, Upbeat, such as Sara Evans, LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry, Rodney Atkins, Tim McGraw, Eric Church, and roots music like more Blue Grass.
October 23, 2019 @ 8:29 pm
That will be excellent to listen to the old country music
October 23, 2019 @ 8:39 pm
Will we be able to get this in Ontario Canada
October 26, 2019 @ 11:23 pm
No, we won’t. If we can’t get the digital OTA American channels on cable here, we’re not getting this one.
October 24, 2019 @ 4:07 am
I would love to watch this as long as it sticks to the Grand Old Opry’s roots. That means none of the current “Tractor Rap” and those blonde New York/California girls with the fake southern accents.
An Opry show every week would be great. I know The Marty Stuart Show on RFD-TV has many great guests with terrific music every week.
October 24, 2019 @ 8:14 am
If its the new country, forget it
October 24, 2019 @ 2:04 pm
Please no bubble gum country, show traditional young artist such as Cody Jinks, William Micheal Morgan, .Mo Pitney and Ashley McBride along with legendary artists such as George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks, Trace Atkins, Patti Loveless, Reba, Dolly and all the other great traditionalists of country. Show the PBR and the NFR and maybe the George Strait team roping competition. Have a show about songwriters and what inspired them to write the songs. I could go on and on.
October 24, 2019 @ 10:14 pm
I would love to see Grand Ole Opy every week on RFD-TV!!!! That’s the most channel that we watch because they have alot of country music on there!!!!
November 5, 2019 @ 9:35 am
Hopefully they go about this in the right way and make a great service available to fans of country music. I got to see a show at both the Ryman and the new Grand Ole Opry last year and they were amazing things to witness. With how many cameras they have, I am sure that there are hundreds of performances that people would pay for a TV channel to watch. Hopefully they take this channel in an exciting direction while being faithful to the music they are representing. I would be very interested in watching the amazing Opry acts and debuts without having to make my way down to Tennessee each time.
May 8, 2021 @ 7:22 pm
The ad aid the Opry live on Circle TV. S here I am in the Philadelphia area on Sat night and Circle; Channel 57.5 is carrying something called Southern Weekend. What’s going on?