Comedy Central (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)

Comedy Central is an Australian and New Zealand 24-hour linear subscription television channel dedicated to comedy programming owned by Paramount Global, 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
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia, New Zealand
NetworkComedy Central
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i (16:9 HDTV)
(downscaled to 720p for the Australian feed)
Ownership
OwnerParamount Networks UK & Australia
Sister channels10 / 10 HD
10 Peach
10 Bold
MTV
Club MTV
MTV Hits
MTV 80s
Nickelodeon AU & NZ
Nickelodeon AU (free-to-air)
Nick Jr.
NickMusic
History
Launched1 April 2009 (New Zealand)
1 April 2016 (2016-04-01) (Australia)
Links
Websitewww.comedycentral.com.au
Availability
Streaming media
Fetch Mobi (Australia)Channel 110
Sky Go (New Zealand)skygo.co.nz
Paramount+ (Australia)paramountplus.com

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]

Comedy Central programming is also available across Australia via the SVOD service Paramount+, which replaced 10 All Access on August 11, 2021.[6]

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][7] 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]

Original programming

Acquired programming

Some programmes available include:

References
  1. "Comedy Central to Debut in New Zealand Barring April Fool's Bait n' Switch". Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  2. Mason, Max (29 February 2016). "Viacom signs deal with Fetch TV to launch Comedy Central". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  3. Knox, David (14 January 2016). "Comedy Central launches Aussie website". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  4. "Comedy Central comes to Fetch TV". mUmBRELLA. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  5. Fetch TV (28 February 2016). "Get ready to laugh your face off". Facebook. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. Marsh, Peter (11 August 2021). "Shortcuts guide: All you need to know about Paramount+". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  7. Knox, David (29 February 2016). "Comedy Central coming to Fetch TV". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  8. Knox, David (7 May 2016). "Comedy Central launches first Aussie comedy shorts". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  9. Barrett, Dan (30 March 2016). "Comedy Central Australia – 8 things you need to know for its launch". Media Week. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  10. "Today Is The Day! Comedy Central's Australian Fetch TV Channel Is Launching At 7pm!". Comedy Central Australia. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
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