DISH Network’s CMT Front Row
After reading InternetLion.com’s other articles you probably don’t want to hear us go on again about how superior DISH Network®’s prices, customer service and technology are to DIRECTV®’s. That’s why this time around we’re dropping our usual spiel and concentrating on one of the satellite TV provider’s most entertaining offerings: Its CMT Front Row concert series.
This concert series comprises monthly events DISH Network holds in conjunction with subscription network CMT, or “Country Music Television.” It is only available to DISH Network subscribers, for whom it is a free, live, On Demand HD and SD program on DISH Network channel 101.
CMT Front Row - Available Only On DISH Network
DISH Network first partnered with CMT to produce the CMT Front Row series after the TV service provider’s rival, DIRECTV, began offering exclusive airings of NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” in 2008. Though DISH Network’s series didn’t come complete with a cult following its first season, it has shown its mettle having drawn enough interest that DISH Network renewed its contract with CMT for a second season.
What’s more, the subscription TV provider is now considering expanding its exclusive music offerings to include similar concerts from VH1 and MTV. Such a deal with MTV could be a major DISH Network win because of the long-standing success of the network’s “Unplugged” concerts, which over the past two decades have resulted in the definitive live recordings of bands such as Nirvana.
So far, though, CMT Front Row has likely had relatively short seasons because DISH Network wanted to test the exclusive-concert-series waters with it. Each season only includes four, hour-long episodes, with each episode featuring a different performer. And reruns of each episode air for only three to four weeks—on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10 p.m. EST—following the initial live broadcast. Then the concerts leave “exclusive” status and air on CMT as part of the network’s regularly scheduled “Invitation Only” series.
One of the best parts is that CMT Front Row shows take place in front of small crowds in intimate settings and often feature unrehearsed questions from audience members that catch performers off-guard. Furthermore, only DISH Network subscribers receive free tickets to the events.
The final hour-long live concert of the series’ second season aired October 24, 2010. The series launched June 2, 2009, and its first season featured concerts by Dairus Rucker, Reba McEntire, Sugarland and Brad Paisley. Its second season launched July 25, 2010, and featured the following list of performers during the corresponding intervals:
Miranda Lambert: July 25 – August 22, Kenny Chesney: August 29 – September 16, Toby Keith: September 19 – October 7, Rascal Flatts: October 24 – November 14
To date, neither DISH Network nor CMT have commented on whether they will partner for a third season of Front Row. But such an agreement seems likely considering DISH Network’s talks with MTV and VH1. If a third season does materialize, TV watchers can be sure they’ll only have access to it if they subscribe to one of DISH Network’s—meaning that for country-music diehards there’s no better satellite TV service than DISH Network. Click here to learn more about switching to DISH Network today.
Disclaimer: Please note that this article was written when the satellite TV provider DISH was branded as DISH Network. As of 2/1/2012 DISH Network has changed their branding name to DISH. Article post date: 11/06/2010.
