9 Apr 2015
Pop (formerly TV Guide Network), a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Lionsgate, unveiled plans at UpFronts, starting with Brad Schwartz, President of Pop sharing “We are heading into the upfront season with a fresh, uniquely positioned media brand covering the landscape of what’s popping in culture and an original programming slate driven by enthusiastic content and award-winning talent.” Backed by the support of CBS and Lionsgate, full-screen distribution in over 80 million homes, and the momentum of seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year ratings growth, we are poised to capture and engage our passionate ‘Modern Grownup’ audience who are seeking a channel that celebrates fandom as much as they do.” Schwartz went on to state that the network would produce 300 hours of original programming with pop-culture connections of boomers and other viewers.
So what does Pop have lined up?
Singer John Legend partnering with CORE Media Group to bring a new reality series, Sing it On to Pop. The series is inspired by Pitch Perfect, and follows five university a cappella groups competing for a spot at the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella finals at Carnegie Hall. Legend himself was a student at the University of Pennyslvania where he and his Get Lifted partner Ty Stiklorius sang with one of several campus a cappella groups. “I had so much fun singing a cappella in college,” Legend, who wasn’t at the presentation, said in the Pop announcement. “The music, the friendships, the competitions were all a huge part of my college experience. We’re excited to be a part of a show that documents the real ups and downs of this interesting world that many know nothing about. It’s going to be an interesting journey, and I look forward to being a part of it.”
Legend’s company, Get Lifted Film co., has also signed a first-look development deal with Pop. It will look at developing shows that fit within the popular-culture mission of the network.
Sing it On will premiere Wednesday, May 13 at 10 PM ET/PT and will move to its regular Wednesday scheduled time of 9:00 PM PT/ET beginning May 20th.
Other programs on Pop’s slate for Spring/Summer include the following:
- The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards: Hosted by Tyra Banks, produced by Michael Levitt (Michael Levitt Productions) and executive produced by Gary Tellalian and Mike Rothman, the live ceremonies will premiere Sunday, April 26 at 8:”00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.
- A new reality series, Queens of Drama starring fan-favorite soap stars Lindsay Hartley, Crystal Hunt, Vanessa Marcil, Chrystee Pharris and Hunter Tylo and with special appearances by Donna Mills and Joan Collins, the series is prdocued by Think Factory media. It will premiere Sunday April 26 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT and will move to Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET/PT starting April 29, 2015.
- A reality sitcom, Unusually Thicke, about the real-life Thicke family starring Alan Thicke, his sassy wife Tanya and know-it-all son, Carter. Unusually Thicke is produced by Peacock Alley Productions and will premiere Wednesday April 29 at 8:30 PM ET/PT.
- Sing it On (see above) – premieres Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 10:00 PM ET/PT- Moves to regularly scheduled time of Wednesdays at 9:00 PM ET/PT beginning May 20, 2015.
- Big Brother’s late night companion series Big Brother After Dark will premiere Thursday, June 25, at 12:00 AM ET/PT.
- Don’t Blink is a reality series that will take viewers inside the world of underground street magicians who will perform incredible tricks before general public and guest celebrities. The series is slated to premiere in Summer 2015.
Pop will also see shows return that are on it’s slate including:
- Season 2 of Schitt’s Creek which stars Emmy® Award-winners Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Chris elliott along with Daniel Levy and Annie Murphy. Season one still has thirteen episodes in production with the finale due to air May 6 at 10:00 PM ET/PT. The second season of the series is slated to premiere in early 2016.
- Season 2 of Unusually Thicke is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2015. Thirteen episodes of season one are still in production.
- ET a the Oscars® Live on Pop! and ET at the Grammys® Live on Pop! -Live red carpet specials produced by the top-rated entertainment show, “Entertainment Tonight,” at the Academy Awards® and the Grammy® Awards. Both awards shows will be in first quarter 2016.
- Season 2 of Rock This Boat – A docu-series that follows fans as they board a cruise for a week-long party on the high-seas with America’s favorite bands. Jarrett Creative Group produces with executive producers Donnie Wahlberg, Seth Jarrett and Julia Insogna Jarrett. Slated to premiere 2016.
- Season 2 of The Story Behind which goes behind the scenes of TV’s greatest hits and most iconic shows, as well as looks at how they got their start. Scheduled to premiere in 2016.
Pop also unveiled projects currently in development and their working titles.
- Untitled John Legend Project – no further details disclosed other than this project would be part of the first-look deal signed with Get Lifted Film Co. (see above).
- A pop-culture game show, Doubt, based on a simple TRUE or FALSE? query. Nigel Lythgoe, Gail Berman and Eric Levy (The Jackal Group) are executive producing the series. Contestants will quickly look at 20 facts about pop culture and put their knowledge to test as they decide whether the facts are right or wrong and then as stakes get higher through rounds of play, they begin to doubt their original responses.
- Celebrity, Inc. will showcase celebrities who are paired with aspiring innovators to create a dream product and launch it through a celebrity endorsement. In the pilot, Mel B. will be the celebrity star of the one-hour special, which is slated to release in 2015. Bungalow Media & Entertainment, LLC’s Robert Friedman will executive produce with Colby Gaines of Back Roads Entertainment.
- Losing it – Celebrity hosted reality series where the host will interview stars who will recount their real-life unforgettable and often hilarious stories of losing their virginity. Produced by warrior Poets and John Stamos Productions. Executive producers are Morgan Spurlock, John Stamos, Ethan Goldman and Jeremy Chilnick.
- A docu-series, Elvis Duran Project, following Elvis and his employees both at work and play, produced by Left/Right with EPs Ken Druckerman, Banks Tarver, Elvis Duran, David Katz and Mitchell Stewart.
- A travelogue, Jet to the Set, that mixes Hollywood lifestyle and adventure. Viewers will be transported to TV and film locations across the country. Produced by Rogue Atlas Productions in association with Lionsgate Television. Laurie Feltheimer, Carly Steel and Eli Frankel are executive producing.