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LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SING IT ON, a docu-reality television series inspired by the blockbuster movie “Pitch Perfect” and produced by CORE Media Group, the co-producers of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” and John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co. will premiere on Pop on Wednesday, May 13 at a special time, 10:00 p.m., ET/PT. SING IT ON will find its regular time slot with new episodes airing every week on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT starting on May 20.
“SING IT ON will capture all of the fan excitement, heart and incredible talent in an aca-amazing series that viewers will love.”
Academy Award® winner and nine-time Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend, who performed in an a cappella group at his alma mater University of Pennsylvania, will serve as executive producer of SING IT ON along with his production partners at Get Lifted Film Co., Ty Stiklorius and Mike Jackson. During his college years, Legend directed the UPenn Counterparts, which made it to the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Finals at Carnegie Hall in 1997, and that same year, he was named Best Soloist in the quarter finals.
“I had so much fun singing a cappella in college. 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,” said Legend.
Featuring eight one-hour episodes, SING IT ON captures the real life stories, high stakes and personal triumphs of the country’s top collegiate a cappella teams as they compete to win the ICCA. Cameras capture the behind-the-scenes journey of five top-ranked a cappella teams (listed alphabetically)—AcaBelles (Florida State University), All Night Yahtzee (Florida State University), No Comment (University of Illinois), Nor’easters (Northeastern University), and Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)—as they battle it out to earn a spot at and win the ICCA Finals.
“Collegiate a cappella has never been more relevant in fan culture with a sold-out ICCA finals in New York City in April and the second ‘Pitch Perfect’ movie arriving in theaters in May,” said Paul Adler, Senior Vice President and Head of Original Programming and Development, Pop. “SING IT ON will capture all of the fan excitement, heart and incredible talent in an aca-amazing series that viewers will love.”
Five teams representing three colleges are highlighted in the series (listed alphabetically):
AcaBelles (Florida State University): The Belles are the on-campus rivals to co-ed All Night Yahtzee. Soaring high from the success of their viral cover of Lorde’s “Royals” this year (8.4 million views and counting), this all-female group still has plenty to prove in the fiercely competitive world of collegiate a cappella. They might have to fight for the respect they deserve within their own FSU community, but these ladies are planning to take the ICCA’s by storm.
All Night Yahtzee (Florida State University): This coed group lives up to its name – they like to have fun. Some of the prerequisites to join the group are talent and looks and not always in that order. They have made it to the ICCA Finals in the past, but last year were ousted in the first round. They’re determined to make a comeback, but their on-campus rivals the AcaBelles are not going to make it easy for them.
No Comment (University of Illinois): Midwestern favorites No Comment are a tight-knit group of friends on and off the stage. They made it to the 2013 ICCA Finals but, with an unfortunate turn of events, last year, they hit a low note, literally, and were eliminated early in the competition. They chalked their loss up to poor leadership and fired their musical director. With fresh blood in place, they’re hoping to make a comeback.
Nor’easters (Northeastern University): Coming off of their 2013 ICCA Finals Championship and whirlwind year of touring, the Nor’easters are ready to claim the Championship title once again. Only thing is, half the winning team has graduated, leaving a large group of newbies to take their space. Additionally, Nor’easters have to face unexpected adversity while in the spotlight. Will they be able to reclaim their victory?
Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University): One of the newest contenders on the ICCA scene, this all-female a cappella group is out to prove that their signature gold heels and talent can take them all the way. On the same campus as the championship-winning Nor’easters, these girls have always been in the shadow of their rivals. Do they have what it takes to steal the spotlight?
SING IT ON is produced by CORE Media Group, with Jennifer O’Connell, Teri Wagner Flynn, and Kallissa Miller serving as Executive Producers. Jenny Ramirez, Amanda Newman, and J McMahon serve as Co-Executive Producers. John Legend, Ty Stiklorius and Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co. also serve as Executive Producers.
ABOUT POP:
Fans don’t sit at the outskirts of pop culture making snarky comments. They live right smack in the middle of it, sharing, creating, and connecting their passions with others. At Pop, fans finally have a destination that celebrates the fun of being a fan. Fans aren’t even fans anymore – they’re gladiators, tributes, human beings and blockheads. Seen in more than 80 million homes, Pop gives fans a dedicated channel that loves being a fan as much as they do. A channel that respects talent over celebrity. A channel filled with optimism, passion, humor, and excitement. A channel that understands the fun doesn’t stop when the credits roll… it’s really just the beginning.
Pop is a joint venture of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF). The partnership combines CBS’s programming, production and marketing assets with Lionsgate’s resources in motion pictures, television and digitally delivered content. Pop’s ownership structure is comprised of the company with the #1 broadcast network and many of the top first-run syndication series (“Entertainment Tonight,” “The Insider”) and the studio that produces and distributes the blockbuster “Hunger Games,” “Twilight” and “Divergent” franchises and produces such award-winning TV series as “Mad Men” and “Orange is the New Black.”
ABOUT GET LIFTED FILM CO.
Get Lifted Film Co. is a film and television production company based in Los Angeles. The principals are John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius. Collectively they have produced five independent feature length films, including: The Human Contract, written and directed by Jada Pinkett Smith and starring Idris Elba, Paz Vega and Jason Clarke, which made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, it was released by Sony Pictures; The Lather Effect, starring Connie Britton and Peter Facinelli, which was released by Anchor Bay in 2009; and the teenage dramatic thriller Triple Dog, starring Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland), and Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars).
Get Lifted Film Co. has sold several projects in television to networks including Showtime, NBC, HBO, USA, MTV, OWN and FOX. In addition to these sales GLFC was previously in an overall deal for television with Comcast/Universal owned studio Universal Cable Productions(UCP) and is currently in an overall deal with Legendary Television. They will serve as Executive Producers on the new docu-series Sing It On which premieres on the Pop Network in May 2015.
Get Lifted Film Co. has several feature projects in various stages of development/production some of which include: The Black Count(2014 Pulitzer Prize Winner), to be written and directed by Cary Fukunaga for Sony Pictures; Southern Rites, a documentary that premieres on HBO in May 2015; and projects with such notables as Chadwick Boseman, Will Packer, IM Global and Brad Pitt’s Plan B.
ABOUT CORE MEDIA GROUP
CORE Media Group is a content company that creates quality programing through its in-house creative team and a myriad of partnerships with well-established industry leaders such as Sharp Entertainment, Howie Mandel’s Alevy Productions, Noreen Halpern’s Halfire Entertainment and B-17 Entertainment. Through 19 Entertainment, the company co-produces “American Idol,” the gold standard of music competition programs, the enduring franchise, “So You Think You Can Dance” and manages the careers of numerous “American Idol” winners and finalists. Together, CORE’s dynamic group of content creators is producing quality entertainment for over 30 networks.