Circle Country
A United States free ad-supported streaming television service focused on country music, Western films, and rural-oriented entertainment.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Circle Country is a United States free ad-supported streaming television service centered on country music, the Grand Ole Opry, Western films, and rural or blue-collar lifestyle programming. The service was previously branded Circle and operated both as a national streaming channel and as an over-the-air digital multicast network carried by affiliated broadcast stations. It is owned by Gray Media through its PowerNation Studios division and draws much of its programming from the Opry Entertainment Group catalogue and related country-music properties. The service emerged from a partnership announced in 2019 between Gray Television and Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties. The venture was designed to give country-music audiences a dedicated television outlet at a time when established country-oriented networks were moving toward broader Southern-culture or general entertainment formats. Its name referred to the circular section of the Grand Ole Opry stage, a symbolic part of both the Opry House and the historic Ryman Auditorium. Circle launched on January 1, 2020, with a substantial slate of original programs and a large initial collection of broadcast affiliates. Gray stations supplied much of the early distribution, while CBS Television Stations helped provide access in several major United States markets. The network combined music performances, artist interviews, Opry documentaries, lifestyle series, comedy, travel programming, acquired entertainment, and classic films. It also carried simulcasts and related programming from WSM Radio, including Coffee, Country & Cody, as well as selected Grand Ole Opry broadcasts under the Opry Live title. Its programming strategy emphasized access to performers and institutions associated with country music rather than relying solely on music videos. Series such as Backstage at the Opry, My Opry Debut, Opry Docs, The Dailey & Vincent Show, Bluebird Café Sessions, and The Write Stuff presented performances, artist profiles, songwriting, and the history of the genre. Other programs, including Authentic America, Craig's World, Bellamy Brothers' Honky Tonk Ranch, Southern Weekend, Better Half, and Upstream, extended the brand into travel, family, outdoor recreation, and regional lifestyle content. Circle's over-the-air distribution ended on December 31, 2023, as Gray changed the structure of its digital-subchannel network partnerships. The final regular film broadcast on the terrestrial service was Rio Lobo. The brand continued as a streaming service under the Circle Country name, retaining selected Circle productions and Opry-related programming while also carrying classic films. Opry Live and The Song were additionally made available through syndication. Circle Country therefore shifted from a hybrid broadcast-and-streaming network into a primarily streaming FAST service, while preserving its country-music and rural-entertainment identity.
History
Circle Country originated in a late-2010s effort by Ryman Hospitality Properties' Opry Entertainment Group to return to television-network ownership. Ryman's corporate predecessor, Gaylord Entertainment, had previously owned The Nashville Network and Country Music Television before selling those assets to CBS Corporation in 1997. Opry Entertainment later became involved in television production and sought a new outlet for country music after its carriage relationships with other country-oriented networks ended or changed direction. In 2018, Ryman began developing a dedicated broadcast network after concluding that country-music audiences were underserved. The company tested potential programs through a presentation reel and received favorable responses from focus groups. On April 24, 2019, Gray Television and Opry Entertainment Group announced a joint venture to launch a broadcast network in early 2020 and a streaming service afterward. The proposed service was intended to use Grand Ole Opry archives, performances from the Opry House, and material connected with Ryman's music venues. The partners announced the Circle name on October 17, 2019. The name referenced the circular wooden portion of the Grand Ole Opry stage, a physical and cultural symbol associated with performances at the Opry House and, previously, the Ryman Auditorium. Gray-owned stations were designated as charter affiliates. On December 16, 2019, the partners confirmed a January 1, 2020 launch and announced an initial slate of 16 original programs. CBS Television Stations also joined the affiliate group, giving the network access to several major markets. Circle's initial format combined original productions with acquired and archival programming. Music and interview series included Coffee, Country & Cody, The Dailey & Vincent Show, Bluebird Café Sessions, and Phil Vassar's Songs from the Cellar. Opry-focused programs included Backstage at the Opry, My Opry Debut, Opry Anniversary, Opry Docs, and Opry Live. The network also commissioned lifestyle and entertainment programs such as Authentic America, Craig's World, Southern Weekend, Better Half, Stand Up Nashville!, and Upstream. The initial catalogue also included surviving episodes of Hee Haw, along with films and off-network programming. The service used different feeds for terrestrial and digital distribution. The over-the-air feed was delivered through digital subchannels of broadcast stations and included a mixture of classic films, syndicated programs, and Circle content. The streaming feed, distributed through services including Peacock and other connected-TV platforms, placed greater emphasis on music-related and company-owned programming. The feeds could converge for live or near-live material, including Opry broadcasts and the WSM Radio morning show. Circle's over-the-air footprint expanded rapidly. It launched with agreements covering a large share of United States television households and later reported dozens of affiliates across numerous states. Nashville received a local Circle subchannel in January 2020 through WSMV-TV. Gray subsequently acquired WSMV's parent company, Meredith Corporation, in a transaction completed in December 2021. On November 10, 2023, Gray announced that Circle's over-the-air operations would end at the end of that year as Gray reorganized its digital-subchannel portfolio through Free TV Networks, a partnership involving Gray, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The terrestrial service ended on December 31, 2023, with Rio Lobo identified as its final regular program. The streaming channel continued under the Circle Country brand in 2024 and retained selected Circle productions, including Coffee, Country & Cody and Opry Live, while adding classic films. Some Opry-related programming also continued through syndication and other streaming ventures.
- 2024
Streaming service continues as Circle Country
[1]The brand remains available as a streaming channel under the Circle Country name.
- 2023
Over-the-air service closes
[1]The terrestrial Circle network ends on December 31 as Gray changes its digital-subchannel network arrangements.
- 2021
Gray completes Meredith acquisition
[1]Gray completes its acquisition of Meredith Corporation, the parent company of WSMV-TV.
- 2020
Network launch
[1]Circle launches on January 1 with original series, music performances, Opry programming, documentaries, lifestyle shows, and acquired content.
- 2020
Nashville over-the-air availability begins
[1]Circle becomes available in Nashville through a digital subchannel of WSMV-TV on January 31.
- 2019
Gray and Opry Entertainment announce their joint venture
[1]The partners announce plans for a broadcast network and subsequent streaming service built around country music and Grand Ole Opry programming.
- 2019
Circle brand is unveiled
[1]The partners reveal the Circle name and identify Gray-owned stations as charter affiliates.
- 2018
Ryman develops a new country-music network concept
[1]Opry Entertainment Group begins pursuing a television network after research suggested a dedicated country-music service could serve an underserved audience.
Products and positioning
A dedicated country-music and rural-lifestyle FAST service connecting contemporary programming with the heritage, performers, venues, and archives of the Grand Ole Opry.
Free ad-supported streaming television · 2024
Circle Country streaming channel
The current form of the brand is a free ad-supported streaming channel offering country-music performances, interviews, Grand Ole Opry programming, documentaries, classic films, and rural or Southern lifestyle content. It preserves selected programming from the former Circle broadcast network while shifting distribution to streaming platforms.
Digital multicast television network · 2020
Circle over-the-air network
The original Circle service operated through digital subchannels of affiliated United States television stations. Its terrestrial schedule mixed Circle originals, music and Opry programming, classic films, and syndicated entertainment. This part of the service ended on December 31, 2023.
Music performance television · 2020
Opry Live
A one-hour program presenting performances from the Grand Ole Opry. It initially operated in close connection with the WSM radio broadcast and later commonly used recorded live-to-tape segments from Opry broadcasts.
Music and entertainment talk show · 2020
Coffee, Country & Cody
A television simulcast of WSM Radio's morning program, combining country-music discussion, interviews, entertainment news, and performances. The program is associated with Bill Cody, Charlie Mattos, and Kelly Sutton and remains part of Circle Country's continuing schedule.
Original television programming · 2020
Circle original programming slate
The launch slate included music, interview, documentary, travel, comedy, reality, and outdoor programs. Notable titles included Backstage at the Opry, Bluebird Café Sessions, The Dailey & Vincent Show, Fandom, My Opry Debut, Opry Docs, Authentic America, Craig's World, Southern Weekend, Stand Up Nashville!, and Upstream.
Brand decisions
2023
End terrestrial distribution and prioritize streamingStrategyBackground
Gray announced changes to its digital-subchannel strategy connected with a new Free TV Networks partnership.
Action taken
The over-the-air Circle network was discontinued on December 31, 2023, while the digital service continued under the Circle Country name.
Aftermath
Circle Country remained available as a streaming channel, with selected Circle and Opry programs and additional classic films.
2019
Launch a dedicated country-music television networkProduct launchBackground
Opry Entertainment Group and Gray Television believed country-music viewers were underserved by existing television outlets and planned a service tied to the Grand Ole Opry and related music properties.
Action taken
The companies formed a joint venture, selected the Circle name, secured broadcast affiliates, and prepared an initial slate of original programs.
Aftermath
Circle launched on January 1, 2020 as a hybrid broadcast and streaming service.
Sources1 sources
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