CMT Enters Gaming Market

Country music network CMT has formed a new division, CMT Games, and partnered with Konami Digital Entertainment to enter the gaming industry. The partners will release their first collaboration, "CMT Presents: Karaoke Revolution Country," March 28. The title, designed for PlayStation2 systems, features 35 hit songs and is believed to be the first country music karaoke video game on the market. Among the songs included on the game are "9 To 5," "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Crazy," "Friends In Low Places" and "Redneck Woman."

CMT Games will partner with additional game publishers to develop, produce and promote games tailored to the CMT audience.

On the "Karaoke" title, CMT provided music selection, creative content and direction for the game's look and feel. CMT will also provide marketing support for the title across multiple platforms, including on-air support and online sweepstakes. The title is an extension of Konami's "Karaoke Revolution" music video game franchise, and the first designed for a specific music genre.

CMT Games will be overseen by Paul DeGooyer, senior VP of CMT parent MTV Networks Music and Logo Enterprise Group. Tony Calandra, senior director of MTV interactive products, will manage the new division while Joseph Varet, senior director of MTV's business development and strategy department, will oversee CMT Games' business partnerships and strategic relationships.