Make It Pop Premieres September 9 on YTV

• Live-action musical comedy debuts with back-to-back episodes Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. ET/PT
• Series co-created by Thomas W. Lynch and Nick Cannon

TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment's YTV is introducing Make It Pop, a brand new, live-action, musical-comedy series that stars three unique and talented girls who forge a friendship at boarding school and form their own K-Pop-inspired band called XO-IQ. The series will premiere with two back-to-back episodes at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9 ET/PT on YTV. Make It Pop features original songs and performances with a modern pop twist from the show's emerging, real-life group, XO-IQ. The series is co-created by Thomas W. Lynch and multi-faceted entertainer Nick Cannon and produced by DHX Media. Lynch and Cannon will serve as executive producers together with DHX Media's Steven DeNure and Anne Loi. Watch the Make It Pop trailer here.

"We're excited to bring the fun musical energy of Make It Pop to our YTV fans," said Jamie Piekarz, Director of Content, Corus Kids. "Viewers will be glued to the day-to-day life of school infused with breakout dance-offs and catchy new pop songs."

Make It Pop follows Sun Hi (Megan Lee), Jodi (Louriza Tronco) and Corki (Erika Tham), three freshmen girls who meet when they are randomly selected to room together at boarding school and soon discover that they share a taste for adventure and a love of music. With the help of fellow classmate and aspiring DJ, Caleb (Dale Whibley), the girls grow from roommates to bandmates as their group, XO-IQ, becomes a school-wide sensation. At the same time, they compete for a place in the upcoming school musical all while balancing music, grades, relationship and crushes.

"Make It Pop explodes with the fresh energy of a whole new generation, brought to life by an incredibly talented cast of irresistible young superstars," says series co-creator Thomas Lynch. "The appeal is universal, and we can't wait to share all the fun with Canadian audiences."

Original songs from the series will be available to fans on iTunes and major online music stores later this month allowing YTV's audience to download the music ahead of the premiere.

Megan Lee stars as Sun Hi, the funky, fresh and free-spirited bandmate who is the driving force of the band. Megan is a young rising superstar, widely known as a triple threat, mastering the arts of acting, singing and dancing. A Southern California native, she started her career at the age of ten. Her television credits include guest appearances on Nickelodeon's iCarly, BrainSurge and Disney's Get Connected and 3 Minute Game Show. She has also guest starred on the Starz Original series Crash. Megan's YouTube channel of original songs and music covers, led her to South Korea where she officially debuted her first K-Pop singles 8days and OST Ready for Love in Korea.

Louriza Tronco stars as Jodi, the fashionista and choreographer of the group. Raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Louriza landed her first professional theatre gig at eight as part of the children's choir in a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." After attending The Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, British Columbia, Lourizo got her first break on the CW's Cult. Her subsequent television credits include Lifetime's Behind the Hit: Saved By the Bell, Disney Channel's Zapped, My Boyfriends' Dogs and My Life as a Dead Girl. Tronco can be seen on the big screen in the feature film Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb.

Erika Tham stars as Corki, the bandmate who is shy, private and not prepared for most typical teenage girl experiences like boys, school dances, or concerts. A Canadian, Tham was born in Singapore, she is of Malaysian, Chinese, Dutch, Ukrainian heritage and has lived in seven different countries in her 15 years. Make It Pop is her first television starring role.

Dale Whibley stars as Caleb, a fellow freshman, beat maker and aspiring DJ who believes he has the perfect sound to catapult the girls to stardom. Hailing from Barrie, Ontario, Whibley began his acting career at the age of five in television commercials. Whibley has appeared on YTV's Life with Boys and Max & Shred and  has had a recurring role on Degrassi: The Next Generation.

About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel's after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Follow YTV on Twitter @YTVofficial

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

Jonathan Schwartz, Director of Communications, Make It Pop, [email protected], 416.873.0096; Kate Calder, Communications, Corus Entertainment, [email protected], 416.479.6319