The Comedy Channel

This article is about the Australian television channel. For other uses, see The Comedy Channel (disambiguation).
The Comedy Channel
The Comedy Channel Logo
Launched 30 June 1996[1]
Owned by Foxtel Networks
Picture format 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

The Comedy Channel (promoted on air as comedy) is an Australian subscription television channel available on Foxtel, Austar, 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

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. ↑ "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.
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