The Nashville Network , usually referred to as TNN , was an American country music -oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos , taped concerts , movies , game shows , syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows. On September 25, , after an attempt to attract younger viewers failed, TNN's country music format was changed and the network was renamed The National Network , and eventually became Spike TV in and Paramount Network in On November 1, , the network was revived as a digital broadcast television network.
However, this lasted only 11 months, and the channel changed its name to Heartland on October 9, The Nashville Network was launched as a basic cable and satellite television network on March 7, , operating from the now-defunct Opryland USA theme park near Nashville, Tennessee. Daniels, beat TNN's launch by two days to become the first country music cable television network. TNN even created stars, such as wily professional fisherman Bill Dance. One of the most popular shows that aired on the network during this time was a variety show hosted by the country music quartet The Statler Brothers.
CMT continued to show country music videos exclusively throughout Gaylord's ownership. Following the acquisition, TNN quickly phased out its music video blocks, while directing viewers to CMT for such fare. In , Emery began a short-lived retirement from broadcasting, and left Nashville Now in the process. In , Crook and Chase left the show to relaunch their eponymous program in daytime syndication; it would return exclusively to TNN in TNN Motor Sports was responsible for production of all of the network's auto racing and motorsports coverage.
In , the network's motorsports operations were moved into the industrial park located at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina , where TNN had purchased controlling interest in World Sports Enterprises, a motorsports production company founded by motorsports editor and commentator Ken Squier and Fred Rheinstein.
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The outdoors and motorsports programs were so successful that, by the early s, only those shows were seen on Sundays, with no musical programming. Most of the original entertainment-oriented programming ceased production during this period, and the network began to rely more on TNN Outdoors and TNN Motor Sports for programming. Only one-third of them were between the ages of 18 and 49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
