| Pop TV (American TV Channel) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Launched | 1981, (as a barker channel service) January 14th, 2015 (channel) |
| Owned by | Paramount Media Networks (Paramount Skydance Corporation) DreamWorks Animation (NBCUniversal) Studio71 (ProSiebenSat.1 Media) Sony Pictures Television |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Slogan | Powered by Pop |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast Area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | One Astor Plaza, New York City, New York |
| Parent | Pop Media Group, LLC. |
Pop, commonly referred to as Pop TV (formerly known as Electronic Program Guide, Prevue Guide, Prevue Channel, TV Guide Channel, TV Guide Network and TVGN), is an American pay television channel co-owned and operated as a joint venture with Paramount Media Networks (MTV Entertainment Group), DreamWorks Animation, Studio71, (run by Paramount Skydance, NBCUniversal and ProSiebenSat.1 Media respectively) and Sony Pictures Television.
Launched in 1981, The channel began as a simple scrolling TV guide called the Electronic Program Guide (later the Prevue Channel), serving as a key utility for cable users before the internet. In 1999, after acquiring TV Guide magazine, it was rebranded as the TV Guide Channel and expanded into original entertainment programming, aligning its identity with the well-known publication. After Lionsgate acquired TV Guide Network in 2009, the channel shifted to general entertainment. CBS joined in 2013 with a 50% stake, rebranding it as TVGN and phasing out its original listings service due to digital TV guides. In 2015, it became Pop, focusing on pop culture content. CBS took full control in 2019, and the network has since been managed under Paramount Skydance Corporation.
In June 2024, it was confirmed that the channel would relaunch as a children's network targeting viewers aged 7 to 18 (including kids, tweens, and teens) while continuing to embrace its pop culture roots since its inception in 2015. As part of the relaunch, NBCUniversal, ProSiebenSat.1 Media (via DreamWorks Animation and Studio71 respectively) and Sony Pictures Television ultimately acquired portions of the Paramount's stake, and that joint venture signaled a broader strategic investment in the channel's new direction.
The channel currently features programming from Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation (primarily from its Netflix and Nickelodeon eras) as well as titles from Sony’s back catalogue and various acquisitions from third-party distributors.
As of November 2023, Pop was available to approximately 60 million pay television households in the United States-down from its 2007 peak of 84 million households.
History[]
Early History (1981-2009)[]
The origins of the channel date back to 1981, when United Video Satellite Group introduced the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). This innovative software solution, deployed at cable headends, delivered a continuously updated scrolling grid of television listings directly to subscribers’ screens. The guide covered a four-hour programming window and refreshed every half hour. Despite its usefulness, the system’s slow refresh rate meant viewers frequently waited several minutes for current show information. In response to evolving viewer expectations, the late 1980s saw the channel transform into the Prevue Guide and subsequently the Prevue Channel. This period ushered in a new era, as the channel began featuring interstitial content such as brief entertainment news updates and promotional video clips within the scrolling listings. This shift reflected a broader transition from a purely functional service to a channel blending information with entertainment value.
In 1998, United Video made a strategic acquisition of TV Guide magazine, a move that led to the channel’s rebranding as TV Guide Channel in 1999. Leveraging the magazine’s widespread brand recognition, the channel expanded its offerings to include a diverse lineup of full-length programming. Viewers were introduced to entertainment news shows, live red carpet event coverage, and an array of reality series, all while the familiar scrolling guide remained a fixture at the bottom of the screen. The channel’s integration deepened that same year when Gemstar-TV Guide International acquired United Video, unifying the TV Guide brand across both print and television platforms. As digital cable boxes and interactive on-screen guides became increasingly common, however, the original utility of a dedicated channel for listings began to fade into obsolescence.
Shift to General Entertainment (2009-2015)[]
In 2009, Lionsgate acquired the TV Guide Network from Gemstar. Under Lionsgate, the channel began airing syndicated dramas and sitcoms, including Blue Bloods and Gilmore Girls. In 2013, CBS Corporation purchased a 50% stake in the network, and it was rebranded as TVGN. This era marked a full departure from the guide format. TVGN focused on general entertainment, targeting viewers with a mix of reruns and light original programming. It was a transitional phase, laying the groundwork for a more defined brand identity. By 2014, the guide function was completely phased out, especially in HD broadcasts.
Rebranded as Pop[]
On September 18, 2014, CBS Corporation and Lionsgate Entertainment jointly announced their plan to rebrand TVGN (formerly known as TV Guide Network) into a new entertainment channel called Pop. The relaunch was scheduled for early 2015, with the official transition taking place on January 14 of that year. The reimagined network aimed to celebrate pop culture and fandom, launching with a robust slate of 400 hours of original programming. Among its early highlights were Rock This Boat: New Kids on the Block, a reality series chronicling fan experiences aboard a themed cruise, and Schitt’s Creek, a Canadian sitcom co-produced with CBC. Though modest at first, Schitt’s Creek would become Pop’s flagship success, eventually earning multiple Primetime Emmy nominations—including Outstanding Comedy Series—and winning nine awards in its final season.
Pop expanded its distribution footprint when it was added to AT&T U-verse on March 1, 2016, increasing its reach among U.S. households. In March 2019, CBS acquired Lionsgate’s remaining 50% stake in the network, making Pop a wholly owned subsidiary. Later that year, following the merger of CBS and Viacom, Pop was folded into the newly formed ViacomCBS (later Paramount Global and now Paramount Skydance Corporation) and placed under the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division. This integration led to operational restructuring and job reductions due to overlapping roles. Viacom’s preference for internally produced content prompted a strategic shift: second-season renewals for Flack and Florida Girls, along with a planned series titled Best Intentions, were canceled. However, the company allowed all three projects to be shopped to other platforms without penalty.
Following the significant reduction of Pop’s original programming slate prompted by the then-ongoing merger of ViacomCBS the network shifted its focus to airing a limited selection of procedural dramas, including Law & Order, ER, NCIS, and Scorpion.
As a kids channel (2024-present)[]
On June 2024, Paramount has officially announced the relaunch of Pop TV as a youth-focused entertainment network, marking a strategic shift toward animated and live-action programming for kids and tweens. As part of the relaunch, Paramount entered into a joint venture agreement with DreamWorks Animation, Studio71, and Sony Pictures Television. Under the terms of the deal, each partner acquired a minority stake in Pop TV, with Paramount retaining a controlling interest. The collaboration brings together creative and distribution powerhouses—DreamWorks Animation (a division of NBCUniversal), Studio71 (operating under ProSiebenSat.1 Media), and Sony Pictures Television—to jointly revamp the rebranded network.
The new Pop channel will preserve its legacy as a pop culture-centric brand while expanding its reach to younger audiences through a curated slate of original series, animated adventures, and influencer-driven formats. With DreamWorks contributing high-quality animation, Studio71 delivering creator-led digital storytelling, and Sony providing access to globally recognized IP, the network aims to redefine youth entertainment across linear and digital platforms. The joint venture reflects a shared commitment to innovation, diversity, and cultural relevance, positioning Pop as a next-generation destination for fandom, creativity, and cross-platform engagement.
Programming[]
Reflecting the creative partnerships established through the joint venture, Pop’s programming schedule prominently features reruns of youth-oriented content from Nickelodeon—its sister channel under Paramount Media Networks; as well as titles from DreamWorks Animation, particularly those produced during its Netflix and Nickelodeon collaboration era. The lineup also includes selections from Sony Pictures Television’s extensive children’s catalog, with notable contributions from Adelaide Productions and Silvergate Media. In addition to these core offerings, Pop curates a diverse mix of acquired series from other studios, reinforcing its identity as a pop culture-driven destination for kids and tweens.
Programming Blocks[]
- PU15E- A late-night programming block featuring bold, visually striking shows—often action-packed, dramatic (with touches of comedy), and occasionally intense or eerie designed to challenge and captivate a slightly older audience, typically middle or high schoolers beyond the standard 7–12 age demographic.