NASHVILLE (AP) — The state of Tennessee plans to invest $1 million in an upcoming Ken Burns documentary on country music.

At a budget hearing Monday, Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell said the famed documentarian's project includes eight two-hour sessions slotted to air this fall on PBS. It will also be made available in other formats.

Ezell said the second payment of the $1 million total committed by the state is included in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development's upcoming budget proposal. Ezell called it an excellent deal for the state.

Ezell said that Burns will travel with state officials for a promotional tour with musical artists in March.

Ezell said 40 million viewers are expected in the first showing of the series, which will include filming in Bristol, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.