TV Upfronts: Pop Partners With John Legend

April 09, 2015 11:04am PT by Lesley Goldberg

The former TV Guide Network also is developing a handful of new unscripted series.

Pop, formerly TV Guide Network, is teaming with Oscar winning songwriter John Legend.

The cabler has signed the Grammy winner and his Get Lifted Film Co., has signed a first-look development deal with the network in advance of the May debut of a capella entry Sing It On. (For Legend, the deal comes after he had an overall deal with Universal Cable Productions.)

Additionally, Pop's upfront slate also includes pop culture game show Doubt, from EPs Nigel Lythgoe, Gail Berman and Eric Levy of The Jackal Group and Celebrity Ink, featuring Mel B.

The pair of projects — which are both in development — join a slate that includes previously announced unscripted entries Losing It, the Elvis Duran docuseries and Jet to the Set, in addition to scripted comedy Schitt's Creek, among others.

Pop's slate includes more than 300 hours of original programming with 11 new and returning original series and specials.

"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,” Pop president Brad Schwartz said. “Backed by the support of CBS and Lionsgate, full-screen distribution in more than 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 grown-up’ audience who are seeking a channel that celebrates fandom as much as they do.”