One year after a major branding overhaul, cable network Pop touted first-year growth, a slate of new shows that focus on original programing and plans to close the advertising gap among competing cable networks whose ratings are down.

Formerly TV Guide Network, the joint venture of CBS and Lionsgate relaunched as Pop in January 2015 to disassociate itself from the channel with the scrolling guide of what to watch, and better align itself with a more millennial-friendly audience.

“One year following our rebrand, Pop is defying the industry trend with growth in ratings and growth in distribution, along with a programming line-up that is uniquely poised to capture our target audience of ‘Modern Grown-ups’ — socially engaged, passionate entertainment fans who love celebrating the good times in life,” Pop president Brad Schwartz said in a statement.

RELATED: Brand/Rebrand: Pop

Heading into this year’s upfront, executives presented a 2016-2017 slate that includes more than 400 hours of original content that taps into cultural trends and topics. Pop confidently highlighted its recent growth, and encouraged advertisers to shift their spending to the network.

“We are heading into this upfront season with great momentum, increased distribution and a diverse portfolio of original programming that delivers on our promise of celebrating fan-driven content and exceptional talent,” Schwartz said.

Pop emphasized that it’s defying the industry with rising ratings, while many competitors’ ratings remain flat or down. Pop has seen growth among its core sales demographic of women 25-54, as well as among adults ages 18-49 - while the same can’t be said for Lifetime, Oxygen and Bravo, Schwartz told Adweek.

The network is hoping its programming will continue to attract new advertisers—another metric that has grown significantly in the last year according to Michael DuPont, executive vice president, ad sales.

“Since Pop’s rebrand, we’ve added nearly 100 new blue-chip advertisers and are well-positioned for this year’s upfront offering a premium cable environment at an efficient price,” he said. “Advertisers view Pop as an attractive and more competitive alternative to other lifestyle and entertainment networks,” DuPont said.

The lineup includes the return of the original scripted comedy Schitt’s Creek and the new Nightcap, a 10-episode half-hour comedy that starts Ali Wentworth as a producer on a fictitious late-night talk show. The show dives into behind-the-scenes chaos before the show goes on air.

Hollywood Darlings, a new docu-comedy spotlighting child stars of the ‘90s, and focusing on the friendship between Jodie Sweetin from Full House, Christine Lakin from Step by Step and Beverly Mitchell of 7th Heaven.

Pop is also developing a scripted comedy The Joey McIntyre Project starring the New Kid on the Block singer, and unveiled a pop-culture trivia game show Easiest Game Show Ever.

Sing it On and Rock This Boat, New Kids on the Block and Unusually Thicke will also return, along with the fan-engaging live late night after-show Big Brother After Dark.

RELATED: Upfronts: Pop Teams with John Legend, Tyra Banks

[Image courtesy of Pop]

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