TV Ratings Spur CMA Awards Bidding War

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host it, but which major network will be the home of the upcoming 45th annual CMA Awards? Although ABC has partnered with country music's biggest awards show for the past five years, reports have surfaced that the top three three-letter networks have engaged in a bidding war to the rights of the telecast.

Adding to its impressive ratings track record for the past five CMA Awards broadcasts, ABC has announced that nearly seven million people tuned in to this past Sunday night's 'CMA Music Festival: Country Music's Night to Rock,' making for the network's biggest summertime numbers in the time period in nearly five years. Now, NBC, the network responsible for making 'The Voice' celebrity judge Blake Shelton a household name, has reportedly entered into negotiations to broadcast the November awards show. CBS, the original 34-year home of the CMA Awards, is also rumored to be bidding on the red-hot franchise.

With Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina's country music clean-sweep during the most recent season of 'American Idol,' and Blake's high-profile gig with pop heavyweights Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine of Maroon 5, country music has never been as visible as it has been in 2011. Who will win the bidding war for the hottest commodity in country music? A decision is expected to be announced by the end of the month.

The 2011 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on November 9 at 8:00 PM ET. This year's telecast marks Brad and Carrie's fourth consecutive year as co-hosts.