CMT is expanding with a new division focusing on made-for-television movies including romantic comedies and music-related projects.
CMT Original Movies already has two projects in the works. To The Mat stars Ricky Schroder and Laura Bell Bundy, and Reel Love stars LeAnn Rimes.

Mary Beth Cunin, SVP, Programming, CMT, explains, "We’ve had great ratings success programming with acquired theatrical romantic comedies, so it is only natural for us to create original stories that are tailor made for the CMT audience."

The department’s previous incarnation, CMT Films, produced and distributed films from 2005-2010. It was a full-service film studio that used theatrical and network premieres to distribute the films before premiering them on CMT, and releasing them for DVD sales. Films included Broken Bridges (Toby Keith, Kelly Preston), Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith, Rodney Carrington), the Emmy-nominated Dale about NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, and Petty Blue, a documentary about NASCAR’s royal racing family.

As for the new projects, To The Mat (working title) was written by C. Jay Cox (Sweet Home Alabama), and stars Schroder (24, NYPD Blue) and UMG Nashville artist Bundy (Legally Blonde: The Musical, How I Met Your Mother). It tells the story of a laid-back ex-wrestler (Schroder) who’s trying to keep his family’s down-and-out southern wrestling school above water. Bundy is the uptight consultant from New York charged with getting the books in order to save the business. Directed by Rob Iscove (She’s All That), To The Mat is currently in production and is set to premiere in August on CMT. It is taping in British Columbia.

Reel Love stars Rimes as a successful, big city girl who returns to her small town roots after a family emergency, and reconnects with family and friends and finds romance along the way. Written by Sharon Weil Aaron and directed by Brian K. Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), Reel Love is set to begin production in late April and will premiere in September on CMT. It is taping in Ontario.

Both films will be produced by Entertainment One Television with John Morayniss, Noreen Halpern, Margaret O’Brien and Ira Pincus as Executive Producers. Lisa Silfen, Robin Palmer, Lewis Bogach and Mary Beth Cunin serve as Executive Producers for CMT.

» awe.sm