Full Circle: Ryman Hospitality Properties plans to "wind down" its joint venture ownership in country lifestyle television network Circle. The decision was noted in yesterday's (11/6) third quarter financial report. "In September 2023, we determined to pivot from television network ownership in favor of a distribution approach," the report says. "Therefore, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down the Circle joint venture, with operations expected to cease December 31, 2023." Launched in early 2020 in partnership with Gray Television (CAT 10/17/19), Circle's programming includes a broadcast of the Coffee, Country & Cody morning show from Ryman Hospitality's WSM-AM/Nashville, and a weekly broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, hosted by Bobby Bones.

A Ryman Hospitality spokesperson tells Country Aircheck, "The Circle brand isn’t going away. The linear TV network will wind down at the end of the year along with the joint venture. Programming like Opry Live and Coffee, Country & Cody will continue to be produced and made available digitally on FAST, streaming and other digital distribution platforms. We also expect Opry Live to air on network television, just not on a dedicated Circle network. Opry Live will also air on Sky Arts in the UK."