The lineup looks very familiar, almost a TNN 2.0, minus the music videos and the nightly live variety show ("Nashville Now").
They are simulcasting the WSM-AM morning show hosted by Bill Cody, who has regular guests. Here's the press release:
NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 8, 2020 – Circle, the new country music and lifestyle television network that went on the air January 1, has launched a three-hour live morning show that features WSM-AM's popular Coffee, Country & Cody, hosted by Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame Inductee and television personality Bill Cody.
Cody is also a regular announcer on the Grand Ole Opry. With Cody each weekday is his longtime show partner Charlie Mattos. They are joined by new entertainment correspondent Jo Smith, a Vanderbilt University graduate and former Sony recording artist.
Cody and his team start every weekday off with great music—country, bluegrass, Americana, Opry cuts, live studio guests, the latest news, entertaining features, social media interaction, lively talk and some surprises. The inaugural TV broadcast featured Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill.
Coffee, Country & Cody airs LIVE Monday – Friday, 7–10 a.m. CT/ 8–11 am ET. It will continue to be heard on WSM-AM, WSMonline.com and the station’s mobile app. The show is broadcast from a newly renovated studio at the Opryland Hotel.
“In my many years of hosting Coffee, Country & Cody at WSM, there have certainly been many industry firsts, unforgettable milestones and history-making moments," said Bill Cody. "To now have the opportunity to share them with a national television audience this large is truly monumental.”
“No better way to start the day than a cup of coffee and Bill Cody,” said Drew Reifenberger, Circle general manager. “Amazing things happen on that show – from artists being asked to sign to a label to hearing one of their songs on the radio for the first time – and you never know who’s going to show up. Now, we’re able to capture some of those magical moments and share them with even more country fans on-air and through social. Artists universally love Bill, and there’s no one better to do this show.”
Circle is broadcast in markets covering more than 50 percent of U.S. TV households via an over-the-air digital multicast network and cable television providers. Circle’s affiliates include Gray Television stations across 56 markets throughout the country as well as on stations in markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tampa and Detroit through a separate distribution agreement with CBS Television Stations. More distribution deals and announcements will be forthcoming. For an updated listing of Circle’s broadcast affiliates and more information about availability in your market, please visit:
www.circleallaccess.com.