Comedy Central

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comedy Central
Logo used since 2018[a]
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
Headquarters345 Hudson Street
New York, New York, U.S. 10014
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080p HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerParamount Media Networks (Paramount Global) (1991–present)
Time Warner (Home Box Office, Inc.; 50% stake) (1991–2003)
ParentMTV Entertainment Group
Sister channels
History
LaunchedApril 1, 1991; 32 years ago (1991-04-01)
ReplacedThe Comedy Channel
Ha! (Comedy Central is a merger of the two formerly separate channels)
Former namesCTV: The Comedy Network (April 1–June 1, 1991)
Links
WebcastCC Live (U.S. pay-TV subscribers only)
Websitewww.cc.com
Availability
Streaming media
Internet Protocol televisionFuboTV, Philo, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Vidgo TV

Comedy Central is an American adult-oriented basic cable channel owned by Paramount Global through its network division's MTV Entertainment Group unit, based in Manhattan. The channel carries comedy programming in the form of both original, licensed, and syndicated series, stand-up comedy specials, and feature films. It is available to approximately 86.73 million households in the United States as of September 2018.[1]

Since the early 2000s, Comedy Central has expanded globally with localized channels in Europe (including the United Kingdom), India, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand,[2][3] Middle East, Africa[4] and in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The international channels are operated by Paramount International Networks.

History[edit]

1989–1991: Pre-launch as The Comedy Channel[edit]

On November 15, 1989, Time-Life, the owners of HBO, launched The Comedy Channel as the first cable channel devoted exclusively to comedy-based programming. On April 1, 1990, Viacom (who owned MTV, VH1, and Nickelodeon) launched a rival channel called Ha![5] that featured reruns of situation comedies and some original sketch comedy.

The Comedy Channel's programs were broadcast from the HBO Downtown Studios at 120 East 23rd Street in Manhattan. The format prior to the merger with Ha! included several original and unconventional programs such as Onion World with Rich Hall and Mystery Science Theater 3000, as well as laid-back variety/talk shows hosted by comedians, including The Sweet Life with Rachel Sweet, Night After Night with Allan Havey, Sports Monster, and The Higgins Boys and Gruber, the latter of whom performed sketches in between showings of vintage television series like Supercar, Clutch Cargo, and Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp.

The standard format for The Comedy Channel's shows usually involved the various hosts introducing clips culled from the acts of stand-up comedians as well as classic comedies of the 1970s and 1980s, such as Young Frankenstein and Kentucky Fried Movie, presented in a style similar to music videos. In the early days, certain hours of the day when clips were shown without "host segments" were dubbed Short Attention Span Theater. In 1990, hosts under this title, Jon Stewart and Patty Rosborough, were introduced. Comedian Marc Maron also hosted the series.

While The Comedy Channel broadcast mostly low-budget original programming,[6] Ha!'s schedule featured sitcom and sketch comedy reruns (many of which had been previously licensed for sister network Nick at Nite) as well as complete 90-minute reruns of Saturday Night Live from the sixth through 16th seasons.

After two years of limited distribution, the two channels merged into one, relaunching on April 1, 1991, as CTV: The Comedy Network. On June 1, 1991, the network changed its name to Comedy Central[7] to prevent issues with the Canadian broadcast television network CTV, which would eventually be its Canadian content partner through The Comedy Network when that channel started operations six years later.

Around this time, the network introduced their now-iconic logo, which is a globe showing the Americas with tall buildings on the North American part and a black marquee ring (see below).

Comedy Partners was originally a partnership of Home Box Office, Inc., the subsidiary of Time Warner that owned The Comedy Channel and HBO's half and Viacom Hearty Ha! Ha! LLC, the subsidiary that owned Ha! and Viacom's half of the network during its first years on air.[8] Viacom bought out AOL Time Warner's half in April 2003 for $1.23 billion.[9] Despite HBO's exit from the venture, the Viacom Media Networks division in charge of Comedy Central is still called Comedy Partners, currently being a partnership of Paramount Global Content Distribution, the operating subsidiary of Paramount of which Paramount Media Networks is a division and Viacom Hearty Ha! Ha! LLC, the subsidiary that owned Ha! and Viacom's original half of the network.[10]

1991–2000[edit]

Comedy Central logo used from 1997 to 2000.

From the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, much of the programming on Comedy Central and its predecessors consisted of comedy films, sitcom reruns, half-hour specials, and clip shows featuring comedians. Except for the cult favorite Mystery Science Theater 3000, the channel had a relatively small viewership. A notable early success was Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, which after showing promise on Comedy Central was quickly snapped up by ABC. Additionally, The Daily Show had got its start with original host Craig Kilborn, although it would take a few more years for the show to reach high popularity (and a shift toward a focus on political humor) with the introduction of Jon Stewart in 1999[11] (who was former co-host of Short Attention Span Theater from 1991). The channel was first launched as a joint venture between Time Warner and Viacom, while Warner Home Video distributed the home media rights to the network's shows until 2003.

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist was also a notable original program from this era, as well as the game show Win Ben Stein's Money. Successful non-original programming included Canadian comedy group The Kids in the Hall and British shows such as the UK edition of Whose Line Is It Anyway? (the predecessor of the U.S. version, featuring much of the same American cast as would later be seen in the U.S.) and the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. Some later seasons of AbFab, as it was informally known, were partially financed by Comedy Central. Comedy Central also had the national rights to broadcast reruns of Seattle's Almost Live! between 1992 and 1993.

The channel made a breakthrough when South Park premiered in 1997. Being one of the first major basic cable shows to carry the TV-MA rating for mature audiences, the show was considered too controversial to be picked up by any mainstream network;[12] the Fox Broadcasting Company (known for The Simpsons) for example refused to pick up the series due to the over-the-top offensive content at the time. As word of mouth spread, the number of people who requested that Comedy Central should be added to their cable providers increased, and the channel became available in over 50% of American homes by 1998.

2000–2010[edit]

Comedy Central logo used from 2000 to 2010.

On October 30, 2000, Comedy Central introduced a modernized version of its globe logo, by straightening and modernizing the buildings as well as removing the transmitter and marquee. The management of the network said that the transmitter of the 1991 logo was said to "communicate the 1950s broadcast era". In 2002, Comedy Central Records was formed as a means of releasing albums by comedians that have appeared on the network.[13]

By 2003, Viacom gained full ownership of Comedy Central, and since 2003, Comedy Central has created a tradition of roasting comedians in the style of the New York Friars' Club roasts. During these roasts, friends of the roastee, along with other comedians, take turns making fun of the roastee, the other roasters, and occasionally audience members. So far, the roastees have included Denis Leary,[14] Jeff Foxworthy,[15] Pamela Anderson,[16] William Shatner,[17] Flavor Flav,[18] Bob Saget, Larry the Cable Guy, Joan Rivers, Rob Reiner, David Hasselhoff, Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen, Roseanne Barr, James Franco, Justin Bieber, Rob Lowe, Bruce Willis, and Alec Baldwin.

The success of South Park, despite its mature content, encouraged the network to continue to push the limits on adult language. Every late Friday (early Saturday morning) and Saturday night (early Sunday morning) at 1 am. ET, a movie, comedy special, or animated program is shown unedited for language as part of a block called the Secret Stash. It premiered on July 4, 2003, with the unedited cable television debut of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. Though no language is censored on the Secret Stash, most nudity in the programs is still edited out, except for limited nudity allowed in animated programs such as Drawn Together, and rear nudity.

In late 2004, it was reported that the four highest-rated shows on Comedy Central were, in descending order, South Park, Chappelle's Show, The Daily Show and Reno 911!. Shortly thereafter, Dave Chappelle backed out of the much-anticipated third season of Chappelle's Show.[19] Meanwhile, The Daily Show continued to climb in the ratings. In October 2005, on the occasion of a new three-year contract for South Park and the launch of Daily Show spin-off The Colbert Report, it was reported that South Park and The Daily Show were the two highest-rated shows on Comedy Central. Comedy Central chief Doug Herzog was reported as saying that he hoped to continue to air new seasons of South Park forever, and that The Colbert Report fulfilled a long-held plan to extend the Daily Show brand.

On April 5, 2006, in a controversial two-part episode arc titled "Cartoon Wars Part I" and "Cartoon Wars Part II", South Park touched the issue of the recent protest over the Danish cartoon drawings depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad. The image of Muhammad did not appear in the episode. The episode also mocked fellow cartoon Family Guy. On April 13, 2006, Comedy Central issued a statement[20] which appears to confirm that the network prohibited the show's creators from airing an image of Muhammad. The statement reads, "In light of recent world events, we feel we made the right decision." An anonymous source close to the show indicated[citation needed] that South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were informed of the policy several weeks earlier and wrote this story arc in protest. This was a change of policy for Comedy Central, having allowed South Park to portray an image of Muhammad in an earlier episode, "Super Best Friends". Oddly enough, an image of Muhammad was still briefly visible in the opening credits of the "Cartoon Wars" episodes (the image had been there as a call-back to "Super Best Friends").

On January 15, 2007, MTV Networks International launched Comedy Central in Germany which is available for free throughout Europe. The channel airs 33 shows either dubbed in German or subtitled while also airing locally produced shows.[21] On April 30, Dutch channel The Box was relaunched as the Dutch version of Comedy Central during the primetime and overnight hours timesharing with Nickelodeon.[22] On May 1, 2007, Comedy Central expanded to Italy, replacing Paramount Comedy.[23]

On June 27, 2007, CTVglobemedia-owned networks CTV and The Comedy Network obtained the exclusive Canadian rights to the entire Comedy Central library of past and current programs on all electronic platforms, under a multi-year agreement with Viacom, expanding on past programming agreements between the two channels. Canadian users attempting to visit Comedy Central websites were redirected to The Comedy Network's website. The Canadian channel retains its brand name, but the agreement is otherwise very similar to the earlier CTV–Viacom deal for MTV in Canada.[24] As of 2011, this geocaching no longer applies and both the Comedy Central and The Comedy Network websites can be accessed worldwide, except for videos which remain only accessible within each respective country.

In December 2007, Comedy Central picked up a show hosted by Lewis Black called Lewis Black's Root of All Evil,[25] which debuted in March 2008. On January 9, 2008, it was announced the Comedy Central and MTV would allow the streaming its programs online for free starting in February that year.[26] On January 24, Scott Landsman became the Vice President of Original Programming and Development at the network.[27]

On March 27, 2008, the Swedish Radio and TV Authority approved an application from Comedy Central regarding being allowed to air television programs in Sweden. The grant allowed Comedy Central to broadcast on the terrestrial television network between January 1, 2009, and March 31, 2014, after which a new request had to be submitted to continue broadcasting.[28] Comedy Central's U.S. flagship network picked up a remake of The Gong Show hosted by Dave Attell,[29] star of his former self-titled Comedy Central series Insomniac, which debuted in July 2008. Another new show called Reality Bites Back[30] premiered after The Gong Show with Dave Attell.

In June 2008, Comedy Central picked up the sketch comedy show Important Things with Demetri Martin, which began airing in February 2009.[31] On April 1, 2009, Comedy Central began airing in New Zealand as channel 010 on SKY Digital. On April 6, Paramount Comedy in the UK and Ireland rebranded as Comedy Central. On April 7, 2009, it was announced Comedy Central would air new stand-up comedy specials starring Christopher Titus, Gabriel Iglesias, Pablo Francisco, Jim Breuer, Mitch Fatel and Pete Correale, and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham.[32] An animated show entitled Ugly Americans was also picked up by the network.[33] In 2009, The Goode Family premiered.[34] Also in 2009, Thomas Lennon announced via Twitter that Reno 911! had been canceled[35] after six seasons, much to fan disapproval. The network also played a role in the revival of the animated series Futurama, which Fox had canceled in 2003. New episodes began airing on Comedy Central in 2010. But in May 2013, Comedy Central released a statement saying that the contract between Futurama and Comedy Central would not be renewed and that the summer of 2013 would be Futurama's final season on the air. However, episodes continue to run weekly on Comedy Central.[36]

In 2009, Comedy Central introduced an Internet viral video reaction show hosted by comedian Daniel Tosh called Tosh.0. During its second year in the summer of 2010, it was the most viewed show, overtaking The Daily Show and The Colbert Report for male audiences aged 18–49. Many of the segments in Tosh.0's past seasons have received more views on Comedy Central's YouTube channel than any other show.

South Park episodes "200" and "201" aired in April 2010, revisiting the issue of the Islamic religious figure Muhammad's perceived immunity to parody, for fear of violent retaliation. The Super Best Friends returned, but Muhammad was entirely covered by a black bar reading "CENSORED" through all of his screen time. By the second episode of the two-parter, Comedy Central decided to censor every instance of his name, as well as three entire monologues, from the end of the show. The monologues dealt with the subjects of censorship and intimidation but did not use Muhammad's name. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have since issued a statement to the press, confirming that the "bleeps" were added weeks after the show was finished and that Comedy Central has refused to let them post the original version of South Park, in addition to retroactively removing the original "Super Best Friends" episode. Trey Parker threatened to quit the show after this incident.[37]

2011–2018[edit]

Comedy Central logo used from 2011 to 2018, the two Cs are still used in the 2018 logo.

On December 9, 2010, Comedy Central introduced a new logo for the network that launched on January 1, 2011, which left behind the previous theme of a world-sized "tower" broadcasting the network/skyscrapers, in favor of an image of two "C"'s, with one of them and the word "Central" turned upside-down within the new logomark. The new logo was designed to represent the network's unique brand of comedy (with some drawing comparisons to the copyright symbol as inspiration for its design and use), and to provide the network with a logo that could be easily used across different platforms, such as social media. However, the "bars" version of the logo used from 2000 to 2011 was intended to be Comedy Central's new logo as part of a planned rebranding in 2010, and the network used it short-lived until the network started a logo nicknamed the "Comedymark".[38][39] The logo's resemblance to the one used by the Federal Communications Commission was also pointed out.[40][41] It went on to win several industry awards.[42]

The Polish version of the channel was the first international Comedy Central channel to switch to the new logo on February 20, 2011; followed by the Hungarian version on April 1, 2011. Versions of the channel in Germany and the Netherlands soon followed on October 1, 2011. Comedy Central New Zealand rebranded in April 2012. Viacom 18 launched the channel in India on January 23, 2012.[43] StarHub launched Comedy Central Asia in Singapore on November 1, 2012; the channel was added to its Basic Entertainment Upsize group.[44]

In 2012, Atom.com (formerly AtomFilms) was absorbed into Comedy Central.

On April 1, 2012, Comedy Central launched a Russian-language version of Comedy Central branded as Paramount Comedy in Russia.[45] On March 1, 2023, «Paramount Comedy» was renamed to «Comedy Central» and broadcasts in CIS countries (except Russia and Belarus).[46] [47]

On October 21, 2013, the network premiered a nightly comedy-game show series @midnight hosted by Chris Hardwick. @midnight served as an expansion to the network's nightly late-night programming. Due to low ratings, it was canceled on August 4, 2017, with the show airing its 600th and final episode as an hour-long special.[48]

On May 14, 2014, Comedy Central expanded to Spain, replacing Paramount Comedy.[49]

In 2014, it was announced that Stephen Colbert would leave Comedy Central to host The Late Show on CBS, following the retirement of David Letterman, the first host of Late Show. The final episode of The Colbert Report aired on Comedy Central on December 18, 2014, after nine years and a total of 1,447 episodes. The final episode of The Colbert Report was watched by 2.481 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode ever in the show's history. The finale was the most-watched cable program of the night in its time slot, beating The Daily Show which was seen by 2.032 million viewers.[50][51] The Colbert Report was replaced on Comedy Central by Larry Wilmore from The Daily Show, who began hosting his series The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore on January 19, 2015. The show aired until August 18, 2016, when it was canceled due to low ratings.[52] On February 10, 2015, Jon Stewart also announced his retirement and that he would also leave the network and The Daily Show after 16 years. Stewart's final episode aired on August 6, 2015, and Trevor Noah succeeded Stewart as new host on September 28, 2015.[53]

On January 5, 2017, the Finnish Government granted television programming licenses in the UHF band. The grant applied by Nickelodeon International Ltd allows Comedy Central to broadcast from May 17, 2017, to January 10, 2027.[54]

On November 16, 2017, Comedy Central launched a Ukrainian-language version of Comedy Central branded as Paramount Comedy in Ukraine. Ukrainian-language version of the channel is operated under the license purchased.[55]

2018–present[edit]

In July 2018, Comedy Central refreshed its branding, maintaining the existing double-C logomark, but introducing a new in-house typeface, and changing the network's corporate color to amber (while also using other colors to denote flagship programs).[56]

On February 11, 2019, Jimmy Kimmel announced on his talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! that former show Crank Yankers will be revived on Comedy Central for a fifth 20-episode season.[57] The new season will include pranks on social media and other platforms. Kimmel's brother Jonathan Kimmel will serve as showrunner and executive producer.

On May 1, 2019, the Viacom-owned Pluto TV launched two Comedy Central networks titled Comedy Central Pluto and Comedy Central Stand Up. The former airs classic Comedy Central original series such as Reno 911!, Crank Yankers and more, while the latter airs the network's stand up specials.[58] Later on December 15, 2020, the Comedy Central Stand Up channel was removed and a new Comedy Central Animation channel was added.[59]

On December 4, 2019, Viacom re-merged with CBS Corporation to form ViacomCBS.[60]

In 2020, Comedy Central began shifting its programming towards adult animation, with series pickups of Beavis and Butt-Head, a reboot of The Ren & Stimpy Show, and Daria spin-off Jodie (later changed to a television movie). The first title of these was shifted to Paramount+. The network also launched a new weekday animation block initially branded as Animation Contamination, featuring reruns of South Park, Futurama and The Cleveland Show.[61] In turn, Comedy Central has decreased its live-action slate, announcing the cancellations of Drunk History[62] and Tosh.0,[63] as well as the migrations of South Side and The Other Two to HBO Max[64] and Alternatino with Arturo Castro to Quibi, which did not materialize after the platform folded.[65]

High definition channels and service[edit]

The 1080i high definition simulcast feed of Comedy Central launched in 2009[66] and is available on all major cable and satellite providers. The standard definition Comedy Central downscales the HD feed and broadcasts in 16:9 letterboxed to fit the 4:3 ratio.

Programming[edit]

Criticism[edit]

Comedy Central has been a target of criticism from some advocacy groups, including the Parents Television and Media Council. The PTC criticizes their programming not merely for mature content, but also for what they perceive as bigotry and blasphemy,[67] The PTC has used their criticisms against Comedy Central for their support of the Family and Consumer Choice Act of 2007, which would require American cable television companies to allow their subscribers to choose which channels they subscribe to and impose the same content prohibitions that are already in place on broadcast TV.[68] The PTC has also persuaded some advertisers to lower their interest for the channel.[69] PTC founder and former president L. Brent Bozell III said the channel has managed "to reach the top of its field in spite of – or, better put, because of – the network's sheer lack of comedic talent" by its "extensive reliance on shocking or disgusting humor."[70]

On November 5, 2007, an open letter[71] was written by VideoSift to protest the blocking of Comedy Central's embedded video content for non-American viewers.

On April 21, 2010, Comedy Central censored the South Park episode "201" in response to a death threat issued by users of a radical Muslim website over the episode's planned depiction of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which led several newspaper columnists to condemn the network's actions as tantamount to abetting terrorism. As a rare result in the series' history, "201" and the episode that preceded it were heavily edited and are never aired as reruns.

International channels[edit]

Polsat Comedy Central Extra is a Polish secondary channel of Comedy Central Poland is owned between Paramount Networks EMEAA and Polsat it was launched in 2010. As programing block on VH1 Poland and in 2011. As channel in 2012 become a full hour TV channel 12 June 2012, along with Comedy Central Poland switched to 16:9 picture format. On 22 February 2018, from 8pm CET started airing Comedy Central Extra block. In January 2020 it was announced that the name would change to Polsat Comedy Central Extra on 3 March 2020.

Comedy Central Family is a Hungarian family-based television channel with air comedy and animation for family. the brand presented on 2008 on Netherlands in 2010 brand presented on Poland as block on VH1 Poland in 2011, as channel who replaced VH1 Poland but VH1 Poland continue to broadcast as night programing block. On 24 April 2012, VH1 Poland was relaunched as again as channel on 2 May 2012. VH1 Block removed on Comedy Central Family Poland. On 3 November 2017, channel launched on Hungary as replacement of VIVA Hungary. On 31 May 2018, the channel stopped broadcast in Netherlands but the following programs moved to Comedy Central Extra. On 22 February 2018, the block Comedy Central Extra was launched on Comedy Central Family Poland as night programing block on 8pm CET. In 2019, Comedy Central Family changed their logo to yellow. On 3 March 2020, Comedy Central Family Poland changed name to Polsat Comedy Central Extra. As of 2023, Hungary is the only country to still have the Comedy Central Family brand.

Comedy Central Extra is a British and Irish comedy-based television channel, it was second brand of Comedy Central UK and Ireland. It was launched on 2003 as Paramount Comedy 2 in 2009 as Comedy Central Extra. In 2011, channel launched on Netherlands. In 2018, Comedy Central Extra Netherlands started airing Comedy Central Family programs due to close this channel on Netherlands on 31 May 2018. In 2019, channel rebranded logo to yellow. On 31 December 2022, Comedy Central Extra has ceased broadcasting on Netherlands but the following programs moved to Comedy Central Netherlands. As of 2023, Comedy Central Extra is broadcasting on the UK & Ireland.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The logo's symbol has been in use since January 1, 2011.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (September 10, 2018). "Nielsen coverage estimates for September see gains at ESPN networks, NBCSN, and NBA TV, drops at MLBN and NFLN". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Strömberg, Jari (January 5, 2017). "Suomeen kuusi uutta televisiokanavaa – kolme maksutonta". Yle. Archived from the original on March 15, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  3. ^ Szalai, Georg (July 31, 2012). "Viacom to Launch Comedy Central Extra in Adriatic Region". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  4. ^ "Home". Comedy Central Africa. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  5. ^ Hall, Jane (November 15, 1989). "Cable Comedy—Will HBO Have the Last Laugh? : Television: The 24-hour Comedy Channel premieres tonight, but Viacom has plans to launch its own comedy channel, HA!, in the spring". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  6. ^ Boone, Brian (January 12, 2012). "The Origin and Early Programs of Comedy Central". Splitsider. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  7. ^ Vidani, Peter. "The naming of Comedy Central". Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  8. ^ (Name change to Comedy Central within a month of launch due to a lawsuit with CTV in Canada) [1]
  9. ^ "Viacom buys Comedy Central". CNN Money. April 22, 2003. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  10. ^ United States Patent and Trademark Office. "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval: Serial no. 85181456". Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2013. (see "Current Owner(s) Information")
  11. ^ Manly, Lorne (February 12, 2015). "Comedy Central Ponders How to Replace Jon Stewart". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Carter, Bill (November 10, 1997). "MEDIA: BROADCASTING; Comedy Central makes the most of an irreverent, and profitable, new cartoon hit". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  13. ^ "Home". Press Central. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  14. ^ "Official site". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  15. ^ "Comedy Central Roast of Jeff Foxworthy". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  16. ^ "Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on November 16, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  17. ^ "Roast of Shatner". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  18. ^ "Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav official site". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  19. ^ Comedy Central to air Chappelle remainders Archived February 21, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, MSNBC, December 12, 2005.
  20. ^ "'South Park' Creators Skewer Own Network". Newsvine. April 13, 2006. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  21. ^ Tzortzis, Andreas (February 18, 2007). "Comedy Central plays to a German sense of humor". International Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on June 27, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  22. ^ "Dutch launch for Comedy Central". Broadbandtvnews.com. March 23, 2007. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  23. ^ "SatEuropa Forum / Comedy Central coming to NL". September 30, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  24. ^ CTV Strikes Multi-Platform Content Deal With Comedy Central Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, CTV press release, June 27, 2007
  25. ^ tvsquad.com Archived May 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Comedy Central picks up Lewis Black's show
  26. ^ Jones, K.C. (January 9, 2008). "Free MTV And Comedy Central Online". Information Week. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  27. ^ Eggerton, John (January 24, 2007). "Landsman Gets VP Stripes at Comedy Central". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
  28. ^ "Announcement regarding new DVB-T channels going live in Sweden on April 1, 2008". Archived from the original on April 4, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
  29. ^ Weprin, Alex (May 8, 2008). "Comedy Central Resurrects 'The Gong Show'". NextTV. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  30. ^ Barrett, Larry (July 2, 2008). "Comedians Square Off In 'Reality Bites Back' Series". NextTV. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  31. ^ "Stewart stamp on 'Martin'". Hollywoodreporter.com. October 3, 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  32. ^ Lafayette, Jon. "TV Week April 7, 2009 Comedy Central Commits to Stand-Up Specials". Tvweek.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  33. ^ "Comedy Central Orders Animated Show, Gets Righteous". The Live Feed. May 14, 2009. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  34. ^ latimes.com Archived December 30, 2018, at the Wayback Machine New life for 'Goode Family' – Canceled last season by ABC, the series is getting another chance to catch on, this time via Comedy Central.
  35. ^ gawker.com Archived December 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Reno 911! Canceled By Comedy Central
  36. ^ "'Futurama' Canceled ... Again!". HuffPost. April 22, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  37. ^ 201 (South Park)#cite note-NYT Arts Blog-2
  38. ^ "Comedy Central Unveils Serious New Logo". Vulture. December 9, 2010. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  39. ^ "Comedy Central Flips With New Logo". NextTV. December 9, 2010. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  40. ^ Labarre, Suzanne (January 25, 2012). "Comedy Central Unveils Ironic New Logo, and Nobody Gets the Joke". fastcodedesign.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  41. ^ Crider, Michael (December 10, 2010). "Comedy Central Rebrands Itself With New Logo, New Look". screenrant.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  42. ^ "The Lab Wins Awards". The Lab. February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  43. ^ Pereira, Priyanka (February 17, 2012). "For a Few Laughs". The Indian Express. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  44. ^ "Comedy Central Asia, Asia's First and Only 24/7 All-Comedy Network Available to All StarHub TV Subscribers". Archived from the original on November 29, 2012.
  45. ^ Paramount Comedy Lands in Russia on Wings of Wacky Viral Video – Viacom blog, April 11, 2012
  46. ^ "Paramount Comedy переименовался в Comedy Central... | Animation News | VK".
  47. ^ "Из Paramount Comedy в Comedy Central (01.03.2023)". YouTube.
  48. ^ Ryan, Patrick (October 20, 2013). "Late-night newcomers hope to enliven the midnight shift". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  49. ^ "Paramount Comedy se convierte en Comedy Central a partir del próximo 14 de mayo - FormulaTV.com". February 22, 2017. Archived from the original on February 22, 2017.
  50. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda. "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Thursday Night Football' Tops Night + 'The Colbert Report' Finale, NBA Basketball, 'The Daily Show' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  51. ^ Pallotta, Frank (December 19, 2014). "'Colbert Report' says goodbye with record ratings". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  52. ^ Carter, Bill (May 9, 2014). "Larry Wilmore to Take Place of Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central until August 18, 2016. After Which @Midnight hosted by Chris Hardwick continues to indefinitely run at 11:30 and still retain the name @midnight". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  53. ^ Levin, Gary (February 10, 2015). "Jon Stewart is quitting 'The Daily Show'". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  54. ^ "Television programming licences have been granted". Ministry of Transport and Communications. January 5, 2017. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  55. ^ "Paramount Comedy". 1plus1. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. (in Ukrainian)
  56. ^ "An Exclusive Look Behind the Scenes of Comedy Central's Redesign". Adweek. November 21, 2018. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  57. ^ "'Crank Yankers' Revived at Comedy Central With Jimmy Kimmel Producing". Variety. February 11, 2019. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  58. ^ "Viacom Channels to be Added to Pluto TV Today". May 2019. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  59. ^ Pluto TV [@PlutoTV] (December 15, 2020). "Beavis and Butt-Head, Daria, Drawn..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  60. ^ Weprin, Alex (December 4, 2019). "Bob Bakish's Memo to ViacomCBS Staff: Merger "A Historic Moment"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  61. ^ "Comedy Central: Animation Contamination Schedule For Week Of March 30th; Crank Yankers Gets Official Start Date/Time". Bubbleblabber. March 28, 2020.
  62. ^ "'Drunk History' Not Moving Forward With Season 7, Ends Comedy Central Run With Final Emmy Hurrah". Deadline Hollywood. August 19, 2020.
  63. ^ "'Tosh.0' To End With 12th Season As Comedy Central Continues Shift To Animation; ViacomCBS & Daniel Tosh Will Shop Series". Deadline Hollywood. August 20, 2020.
  64. ^ "The Other Two Season 2 Will Premiere on HBO Max". Vulture. August 13, 2020.
  65. ^ "Quibi Picks Up Arturo Castro Sketch Series 'Alternatino'". Deadline Hollywood. May 12, 2020.
  66. ^ "Comedy Central Launches HDTV Network". NextTV. January 13, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  67. ^ "Comedy Central Shows God in One-Night Stand" (Press release). Parents Television Council. March 9, 2007. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  68. ^ Isett, Dan (June 14, 2007). "Remarks Presented by Dan Isett of the PTC at the News Conference Regarding the "Family and Consumer Choice Act of 2007"". Parents Television Council. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  69. ^ Bozell, L. Brent III (September 6, 2005). "Letter to Advertisers Concerning their Sponsorship of the August 16th Roast of Pamela Anderson on Comedy Central". Parents Television Council. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  70. ^ Bozell, L. Brent III (March 24, 2006). "The Arrested Adolescent's Channel". CNS News. Creators Syndicate. Archived from the original on April 4, 2006. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  71. ^ "VideoSifts open letter to Comedy Central and Viacom". Videosift.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.

External links[edit]