CMT, Hulu claim new Nashville season

Nashville will air on CMT and Hulu

Recently axed ABC drama Nashville has been rescued by Viacom-owned US cablenet CMT and Hulu, which have picked up the show for a fifth season.

Lionsgate began searching for a new home for the country music drama last month after ABC announced the fourth season would be the last on the network.

Brian Philips, president of CMT, which stands for Country Music Television, said Nashville was the “perfect addition” to the cable channel’s line-up of music specials, documentaries and original series.

SVoD service Hulu has also played a part in the deal to revive the show and will make all new episodes of Nashville available to stream the day after they air on CMT.

The deal was negotiated by Lionsgate Television Group president Sandra Stern on behalf of Lionsgate and ABC Studios, Sarah Levy of Viacom Kids and Family Group on behalf of CMT, and Hulu executives.

Production on the new season will take place with Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment in Nashville.

The series, which was created by Callie Khouri and stars Connie Britton (American Crime Story) as a country music superstar, airs in 82 international markets on six continents, according to Lionsgate.