The Comedy Channel

The Comedy Channel
The Comedy Channel Logo
Launched 30 June 1996[1]
Owned by Foxtel Networks
Picture format 16:9 (576i, SDTV)
Audience share 0.9%
timeshift 0.5% (September 2008, )
Country Australia
Language English
Headquarters Melbourne
Sister channel(s) Foxtel Networks channels
Website thecomedychannel.com.au
Availability
Satellite
Foxtel Channel 121
Channel 162 (+2)
Cable
Foxtel Channel 121
Channel 162 (+2)
Optus TV Channel 121
Channel 162 (+2)
IPTV
Foxtel Play Channel 121
Streaming media
Foxtel Go Channel 121

The Comedy Channel (promoted on air as comedy) is an Australian subscription television channel available on Foxtel, and Optus Television.

History

A joint venture between Artist Services (20%), Australis Media (40%), and Foxtel (40%),[2] the channel began broadcasting on the Galaxy platform on 30 June 1996, and became available on Foxtel on 1 August 1996.[1] After the collapse of Australis in 1998, Foxtel's share of the channel increased to 80%.[2] The channel became fully owned by Foxtel after it purchased Artist Services' (now Granada Australia) 20% stake in August 2002.[3][4]

In 2006-2007, the channel moved headquarters from Sydney to Melbourne, into the studios vacated by Fox Footy Channel.[5] Until the launch of Comedy Central in 2016, The Comedy Channel was the only channel in Australia specifically dedicated to comedy around the clock. It primarily features stand-up comedy, sitcoms, animated comedy series, sketch comedy, comedy films, and talk shows.

Comedy Channel personalities include Frank Woodley, who hosts Aussie Gold; Tim Ross and Merrick Watts, who together host The Merrick & Rosso Show; Cameron Knight, who amongst other things for the Comedy Channel hosted Stand Up Australia; and H.G. Nelson, who hosts Comedy Slapdown.

The Comedy Channel transferred from 4:3 to Widescreen 16:9 broadcasting on Thursday 1 April 2010 at 5:30am as part of Foxtel's plan to convert all of its channels to widescreen before the end of 2010.[6]

In July 2010, the channel dropped its late night talk shows, leading to disappointed viewers.[7] However, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has since returned to a late night timeslot.

Programming

Current programming

Original programming

  • Just For Laughs Sydney (2014–present)
  • Melbourne Comedy Festival's Big Three-Oh (2016–present)

Acquired programming

Former programming

Original programming

Acquired programming

References

  1. 1 2 Freeman, Jane; Andrew Conway (1996-06-30). "The Joke Stops Here". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  2. 1 2 Schulze, Jane (1998-07-28). "Foxtel takes more of comedy TV". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 5. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  3. ↑ Lee Lewes, Jacqueline (23 August 2002). "Burrells returns to run Foxtel's Comedy Channel". The Hollywood Reporter. 374 (45): 14. ISSN 0018-3660.
  4. ↑ Idato, Michael (19 August 2002). "Switched on". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 24 Feb 2010.
  5. ↑ Ricketson, Matthew (2006-11-29). "Foxtel handballs Comedy Channel to Melbourne". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 3. ISSN 0312-6307. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  6. ↑ Knox, David (15 March 2010). "Comedy Channel goin' widescreen, no foolin'". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  7. ↑ Knox, David (7 July 2010). "Comedy Channel: No reprieve for Letterman, Fallon & Leno". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  8. ↑ Knox, David (24 November 2016). "Airdate:Brexit at Tiffanys: The Best of the Edinburgh Fest". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 December 2016. The two hour special was filmed and commissioned by Foxtel.
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