Fox Funny

Fox Funny (formerly 111 funny, pronounced as "triple one") was an Australian pay television channel focused on airing popular American sitcoms from the mid-2000s to present, complementing the 1980s–2005 schedule of sister network Fox Comedy. The channel was closed on 1 March 2023.[2]

Fox Funny
CountryAustralia
HeadquartersSydney[1]
Programming
Picture format576i (SDTV 16:9)
1080i (HDTV 16:9)
Ownership
OwnerFoxtel Networks
Sister channelsFoxtel Networks channels
History
Launched1 November 2008
Closed1 March 2023 (2023-03-01)[2]
Replaced byFox Comedy (channel slot)
Real Life
Former names
  • 111 Hits (2008–14)
  • 111 (2014; 2015)
  • 111 Greats (2014–15)
  • 111 funny (2015–19)
Links
Websitefoxtel.com.au/channels.html
Availability
Streaming media
Foxtel GoChannel 114

History

On 24 October 2008, the channel was launched with a promo loop on Foxtel as 111 Hits, running in 16:9 widescreen in a run-up to its official 1 November 2008 launch as a companion to The Comedy Channel. Its first programme was a special edition of Countdown with guests Jenna Elfman and Jermaine Jackson.[1][3] On 1 March 2009, the channel became available to Austar subscribers.[4] The timeshift channel 111+2 launched 15 November 2009.

After a revised logo and branding campaign rolled out over the holidays of 2013, the channel's name was officially shortened on 1 January 2014 to 111 with the launch of TV Hits.[5] After only four months, on 20 April 2014, it was rebranded to 111 Greats, before reverting simply to 111 on 1 August 2015. The channel launched on Fetch TV at the end of February 2017.

On 7 November 2019, 111 funny was rebranded as Fox Funny as part of Foxtel's rebranding and takeover of several networks.[6] A high-definition feed of the network was launched alongside the rebranding.

On 26 January 2023, it was announced the channel would close on March 1, with content moving to sister channels Fox Comedy and Fox8, with Fox Comedy shifting from channel 119 to Funny's former channel 114 berth.[2][7]

Programming
Final logo as "111"

Programming primarily consisted of American sitcoms from Warner Bros., 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Television, and CBS Studios International.

As 111 launched, programming was slowly revealed through promotions on other Foxtel channels, with presenters discussing a show and their memories of it.

At launch, a majority of its shows were moved from Arena, FOX8, The Comedy Channel, TV1 and Fox Classics.

On 1 January 2014, with the addition of TV Hits following the closure of TV1, there was a change in direction to the networks catalogue of programs, with a large amount of newer material (mainly sitcoms and dramas) moved from 111 Hits to TV Hits. As a result, 111 Hits was shortened to 111. New additions to programming (which were previously shown on TV1) included classics such as Cheers, Frasier, and Get Smart, as well as newer shows such as Rules of Engagement.[5][8]

On 1 November 2015, the network changed its focus solely to sitcoms. This saw the sitcoms which were moved to TV Hits the year prior returned and the removal of drama programming (with a large majority moved to other Foxtel-owned channels).[9]

With the rebrand to Fox Funny, the channel removed sitcoms from the 1980s and 1990s (which moved to sister channel Fox Comedy) and became home to more recent sitcoms from the 2000s and 2010s.

Former programmes

See also

References
  1. Knox, David (20 October 2008). "111 Hits will target 24-54's". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  2. "FOX FUNNY, NAT GEO and NAT GEO WILD channels to be removed from FOXTEL and FETCH platforms". tvblackbox.com.au. 26 January 2023.
  3. "Foxtel". Archived from the original on 25 October 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  4. Knox, David (6 January 2009). "111 Hits to join Austar". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  5. "Better TV Blog". 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  6. "Foxtel launches new FOX-branded entertainment channels". Mediaweek. 6 November 2019.
  7. "Support". help.foxtel.com.au. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  8. "Foxtel's TVH!TS is the new channel destination for TV's greatest hits from Wednesday, January 1". 16 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  9. "We're now the home of your favourite sitcoms! 111 – very funny! Keep an eye out for the new programs coming to 111 from today…". Facebook. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
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