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Fueled by spectacular new original programming and new music by the superstars, CMT and country music soared in 2002. While other genres took a sales dive, country music was hot, hot, hot-increasing album sales by more than 12%. USA Today said, "Bright spots in the pervasive gloom were few, and mainly located in Nashville. Country music registered the only significant sales increase." In comparison, rap sales declined 27%; R&B dropped 17.8%; and rock fell 8.7%. Four of the year's Top 10 albums (all genres) were country. And, with 40 million listeners a week, country radio is the nation's largest format.
Driven by exclusive programs with megastars Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and more, CMT reached incredible heights: 2002 was the network's most-watched year; fourth quarter its most-watched quarter; and December its most-watched month in history. CMT was among the nation's fastest-growing cable networks, with much of its growth in key A &...