Officially saying goodbye to its namesake and publishing brand, TV Guide Network will roll out a new look and new name next year as it transforms into POP.
As POP, the network’s new priority will be the fans, according to TVGN President Brad Schwartz, who expects the channel to relaunch as early as January 2015. POP’s programming lineup will include syndicated series 7th Heaven and Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as reality shows Rock the Boat: New Kids on the Block, The Story Behind and Big Brother: After Dark.
Schwartz identifies POP’s audience as “the modern grown-up,” according to The Hollywood Reporter, socially engaged viewers who put a priority on keeping up with pop culture. POP is meant to a be a TV brand that seeks out and provides a place for diehard fans of recent and popular fare, whether that is TV, film, music, or characters, like Gladiators, Twihards and the ever-growing group of Katniss followers. The new network will take a more upbeat tone, celebrating fandom in all forms.
The redesign takes the network out of TV Guide’s brand umbrella, which also operates TV Guide Magazine and TVGuide.com. TV Guide Network is owned by Lionsgate and CBS Corp.
Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.
Brief Take: As POP, TVGN will differentiate itself from its magazine namesake and be more able to define itself as a precise TV brand.
[Image courtesy of TVGN]
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