| The Comedy Network | |
|---|---|
| The Comedy Network logo | |
| Launched | October 17, 1997 |
| Owned by | Bell Media |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Sister channel(s) | Comedy Gold |
| Website | The Comedy Network |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 625 (East) Channel 626 (West) |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 547 (West) Channel 548 (East) |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV | Channel 208 (East) |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 625 (East) Channel 626 (West) |
| MTS | Channel 115 (East) Channel 116 (West) |
| Optik TV | Channel 173 (West) |
| SaskTel | Channel 74 (West) |
The Comedy Network (often referred to as Comedy) a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media specializing in comedy programming.
The channel operates two time shifted feeds, East (Eastern Time) and West (Pacific Time).
Contents |
In September 1996, 1155636 Ontario Inc. (a company majority controlled by Baton Broadcasting, with the remaining interests held by Shaw Cable, Astral Broadcasting, and Les Films Rozon inc.) was granted a television broadcasting licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for the Comedy Network.[1]
Through various acquisitions over the years, Shaw, Astral, and Les Films Rozon sold their interest in the service to Baton, which became Bell Globemedia in 2001, later renamed CTVglobemedia in 2007, and Bell Media in 2011 following Bell Canada's acquistion of CTVgm. (see CTVglobemedia and Bell Media for history of Baton ownership).
The channel was launched on October 17, 1997.[2] The network was launched with the slogan Time Well Wasted, a variation of the U.S.-based channel A&E's slogan "Time Well Spent". The slogan was used until the network's overhaul on November 1, 2011.
The Comedy Network maintained a consistent look since its incarnation in 1997. The 'yellow oval' logo (which has undergone slight modifications throughout its use) was in use since the network's launch in 1997 until November 1, 2011 when the Comedy Network was relaunched with a new look, consisting a new simplified logo and new on-air presentation.[3]
| 1997-2011 | 2011–present |
|---|
The Comedy Network airs a variety of comedy-related programming including sitcoms, sketch comedy series, reality TV series, talk shows, stand-up comedy programs, animation, and more.
The Comedy Network, since it beginnings, has had a long-held relationship with its American counterpart, Comedy Central. The Comedy Network has often acted as a forum to broadcast many Comedy Central programming in Canada. This relationship was strengthened in June 2007 when the Comedy Network's parent company announced a deal with Comedy Central for exclusive Canadian rights to the entire Comedy Central library of past and present programs on all electronic platforms, under a multi-year agreement with Viacom.[4]
Some original Comedy Network shows like Puppets Who Kill, Odd Job Jack, and Kevin Spencer developed cult followings with loyal fan bases. Several original programs including Puppets Who Kill, Comedy Now!, and The Gavin Crawford Show have won Canadian Comedy Awards, and several shows produced in partnership with the parent network CTV have also been quite successful, including Corner Gas's Canadian Comedy Award wins, six Gemini Award wins, seven Leo Award wins and an International Emmy nomination.
Comedy Gold is an offshoot of Bell Media's speciality channel, the Comedy Network, which took over TV Land Canada on August 2, 2010. Comedy Gold focuses primarily on sitcoms from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.[5]
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