CMT has BIG MONEY trouble ... as in the cast of their highest rated show "
Party Down South" wants more of it -- and won't film another second of footage until they get it.
TMZ has learned the 'PDS' gang is in talks with a high profile management team to negotiate a new deal before filming resumes next month. The show premiered in January, and is already a runaway hit for CMT.
Sources close to the deal say the 8 cast members are making a paltry $500 per episode -- but in order to tape the show they have to take time off from their real jobs ... so they're struggling.
One source says the cast isn't looking for "
Jersey Shore" money, they just want to live a little more comfortably.
Translation: New beer bongs, please.
FUN FACT: The producers of 'PDS' also created 'Jersey' ... and faced a similar sitch with Sitch and co. Good news for the 'Party' kids -- the 'JS' cast was making 6 figures per episode at the end of their run.