Comedy Central (Australian and New Zealand)
Comedy Central is an Australian and New Zealand 24-hour linear subscription television channel dedicated to comedy programming owned by ViacomCBS, launched on April Fool's Day 2009 in New Zealand and on 1 April 2016 in Australia. The channel is exclusively available via Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV in Australia and is broadcast on the Sky TV platform in New Zealand. It was one of the first Comedy Central franchises to be launched outside the United States. The channel has a strong blend of animation, stand-up and scripted programs. The core audience demographic covers the 15–48 age bracket. It features well known international titles, as well as some local content. It has strong viewership and is one of the top entertainment channels on the Sky TV platform.[1]
Comedy Central | |
---|---|
Launched | 1 April 2009 (New Zealand) 1 April 2016 (Australia) |
Network | Comedy Central |
Owned by | ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia |
Picture format | 1080i (16:9 HDTV) |
Country | Australia |
Language | English |
Broadcast area | Australia, New Zealand |
Sister channel(s) | 10 / 10 HD 10 Peach 10 Bold 10 Shake MTV Club MTV MTV Hits MTV Classic Nickelodeon Nick Jr. NickMusic Spike |
Website | www |
Availability | |
Satellite | |
Sky (New Zealand) | Channel 011 |
IPTV | |
Fetch TV (Australia) | Channel 110 |
Vodafone TV (New Zealand) | Channel 11 |
History
On 29 February 2016, it was announced that following discussions since mid 2015, Fetch TV had finalised discussions with Viacom on Friday 26 February 2016 to launch Comedy Central.[2] The launch comes following increased local presence by Comedy Central.[2][3] The channel, which will be advertisement free and be exclusively available via Fetch TV,[4] will be broadcast from Australia and as a result see Viacom hire additional local personnel for operations.[2] The launch of Comedy Central coincided with the initial closure of sister channel MTV Classic prior to its eventual rebrand.[5]
Programming
The network airs content from its U.S. counterpart, with 90% of the programming at launch coming from the ViacomCBS library, in addition to local productions - which initially is in short form.[2][4][6] Although Viacom have existing agreements with the Foxtel-owned The Comedy Channel, content is made available to both Comedy Central and The Comedy Channel at the same time.[2]
Acquired programming
Some programmes available include:
- Adam Devine's House Party[8]
- Another Period[8]
- Broad City
- Chappelle's Show
- Comedy Central Roasts
- Drawn Together
- Drunk History
- Idiotsitter
- Nathan for You
- Not Safe with Nikki Glaser
- The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
- The Half Hour[9]
- The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore[9]
- @midnight[9]
- Tosh.0
- Futurama
- Balls of Steel
- The Inbetweeners
- Impractical Jokers
- The Office
- How I Met Your Mother
- Friday Night Dinner
- Hogan's Heroes
- Key & Peele
- Rude Tube
- Mr. Bean
- Saturday Night Live
- The Simpsons
- The Cleveland Show
- On The Buses
- American Dad!
- Family Guy
- Comedy Central Roasts
- South Park
- bro' Town
- The Benny Hill Show
- The Billy T James Show
- Workaholics
- M*A*S*H
- Russell Howard's Good News
- Fonejacker
- Facejacker
- Inside Amy Schumer
- Are You Being Served
- Live at the Apollo
- Robot Chicken
- Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza
- Only Fools and Horses
- Wipeout
- Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
- The Black Adder
- Bottom
- Friends
- Two and a Half Men
- The Big Bang Theory
- The Middle
References
- Comedy Central to Debut in New Zealand Barring April Fool’s Bait n’ Switch
- Mason, Max (29 February 2016). "Viacom signs deal with Fetch TV to launch Comedy Central". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- Knox, David (14 January 2016). "Comedy Central launches Aussie website". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- "Comedy Central comes to Fetch TV". mUmBRELLA. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- Fetch TV (28 February 2016). "Get ready to laugh your face off". Facebook. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- Knox, David (29 February 2016). "Comedy Central coming to Fetch TV". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- Knox, David (7 May 2016). "Comedy Central launches first Aussie comedy shorts". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- "Today Is The Day! Comedy Central's Australian Fetch TV Channel Is Launching At 7pm!". Comedy Central Australia. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- Barrett, Dan (30 March 2016). "Comedy Central Australia – 8 things you need to know for its launch". Media Week. Retrieved 9 May 2016.