Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ Webster PR) - The Country Network (TCN), America's newest broadcast network, has made several recent hires to help lead the network as it begins its expansion across the nation. TCN began broadcasting last month and is now airing in 23 markets, including on WNAB Channel 58.2 in Nashville. It has agreements in place to be on in several additional markets, which will provide it coverage of 25% of US television homes by early next year.
TCN is available over the air as well as on the majority of cable systems in its markets. Unlike its competitors who have largely abandoned the format, TCN embraces its 'all country music, all the time' philosophy by devoting itself to airing videos, hosted by real country stars such as Charlie Daniels, Steel Magnolia, Rodney Adkins, Cowboy Troy, Chad Brock, and Craig Morgan.
Leading this drive is a seasoned executive team with experience in the television, radio, and music industries. Making the appointments was Warren Hansen, co-founder and CEO of TCN:
Chris Butterick has been named President of TCN Broadcasting. Chris will oversee sales, affiliate relations and network distribution. He joined TCN in March 2010 as General Manager of the network's initial affiliate in Montgomery, Alabama. His background includes executive positions within Cumulus Media and Sinclair Broadcasting, working both radio and television.
Tammy Genovese, as announced in April, is President of TCN Nashville. Tammy is uniquely situated to serve as the liaison to the creative community and personally oversees special promotions. Previously Tammy was President and CEO of the CMA.
Kim Bullard assumes the post of Executive Vice President of TCN Nashville. He brings a rich history as a musician/arranger/producer who operates his own production company, and has toured with numerous groups including his current engagements with Elton John. He most recently helped develop a multi-million dollar creative content structure for Code Jawa, an Indonesian based mobile technologies corporation and provides TCN a breadth of production and operations skill.
Chad Brock, VP of Artists Relations for TCN. In addition to his corporate duties, Chad will also be the co-host of various programs and interview artists at concert locations across the country. Along with Warren Hansen, Chad is co-founder of the network. Chad has had several top ten hits including his No 1 hit 'Yes'.
Bill Jones is serving TCN in the capacity of Consulting Program Director, bringing 30 years of broadcasting and the management and executive management levels, most recently with Cumulus Media where he oversaw programming of the radio group's country formats.
Matt Golden, VP/Creative Director for TCN, began his association in the fledgling stages of the new venture, beginning in 2008 with his establishment of the visual identity of the company and brand prior to TCN's soft launch in January 2009 on DirecTV. Prior to assuming his new role Golden served asCreative Video Services Director at Moseley Studios, where he was the creative director of projects which included the annual BamaJam Music Festival.
Bill Hutcherson has been appointed VP of Regional Sales, coming to the network from Cumulus Radio where he served for the past eight years as General Sales Manager for the Country Stations.
David Reid is the Director of Traffic for TCN. He brings a strong career history in broadcasting/computer applications both in creative development and applications of systems. He has over 18 years of traffic experience of which the past 12 years has been spent with Harris OSI as a trainer and traffic software specialist.
'While we are a young organization, we have the depth and breadth of experience of an established network,' said Hansen. 'I am confident we have assembled the necessary executive talent essential to ensuring that TCN will continue to grow.'
