The Comedy Network

Last updated

The Comedy Network
The Comedy Network.svg
LaunchedOctober 17, 1997;21 years ago (1997-10-17)
Owned by Bell Media
Picture format 1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Country Canada
Broadcast areaCanada
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Sister channel(s) CTV
Bravo
Space
Gusto
Much
Website www.thecomedynetwork.ca OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV Channel 625 (East; SD)
Channel 626 (West; SD)
Channel 1740 (East; HD)
Shaw Direct Channel 547 (West; SD)
Channel 548 (East; SD)
Channel 85/585 (East; HD)
Cable
Available on most cable systemsChannel slots vary on each operator
IPTV
Bell Aliant Fibe TV Channel 208 (East; SD)
Channel 431 (East; HD)
Bell Fibe TV Channel 625 (East; SD)
Channel 626 (West; SD)
Channel 1625 (East; HD)
Channel 1626 (West; HD)
Bell MTS Channel 115 (East; SD)
Channel 116 (West; SD)
Optik TV Channel 173 (West; SD)
Channel 710 (East; HD)
SaskTel Channel 74 (West; SD)
Channel 374 (East; HD)
VMedia Channel 50 (East; HD)
Zazeen Channel 110 (East; HD)

The Comedy Network (often shortened to Comedy) is a Canadian English-language specialty channel owned by Bell Media, which focuses primarily on comedy programming. The channel operates two time-shifted feeds, running on Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules.

Canada Country in North America

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest country by total area. Its southern border with the United States, stretching some 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the world's longest bi-national land border. Canada's capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

A specialty channel can be a commercial broadcasting or non-commercial television channel which consists of television programming focused on a single genre, subject or targeted television market at a specific demographic.

Bell Media Inc. is the mass media subsidiary of BCE Inc.. Its operations include television broadcasting and production, radio broadcasting, digital media and Internet properties including Sympatico.ca.

Contents

On September 12, 2019, The Comedy Network will rebrand as CTV Comedy Channel.

CTV is a Canadian English-language terrestrial television network launched in 1961. Since 2000, it is owned by the CTV Inc. subdivision of the Bell Media division of BCE, Inc. It is Canada's largest privately or commercially owned network, and has consistently been placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival Global Television Network in key markets.

History

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] The channel launched on October 17, 1997 [2] as The Comedy Network with the slogan Time well wasted, a variation of the U.S.-based channel A&E's slogan at the time, Time well spent.

Shaw Communications Canadian communications company

Shaw Communications Inc. is a Canadian telecommunications company which provides telephone, Internet, television, and mobile services all backed by a fibre optic network. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Shaw provides services mostly in British Columbia and Alberta, with smaller systems in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario. Through its subsidiary Freedom Mobile, Shaw provides mobile services in urban areas of British Columbia, Alberta, and Southern Ontario. The company's chief competitor is Telus Corporation.

Astral Media Canadian media company

Astral Media was a Canadian media corporation. It was Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 84 radio stations in eight provinces, and was a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including 23 specialty channels and two conventional stations. Astral also had numerous billboards for outdoor advertising through its Astral Out-of-Home division.

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is a public organization in Canada with mandate as a regulatory agency for broadcasting and telecommunications. It was created in 1976 when it took over responsibility for regulating telecommunication carriers. Prior to 1976, it was known as the Canadian Radio and Television Commission, which was established in 1968 by the Parliament of Canada to replace the Board of Broadcast Governors. Its headquarters is located in the Central Building of Les Terrasses de la Chaudière in Gatineau, Quebec.

Original logo, used from 1997 to 2011 Thecomedynetwork.svg
Original logo, used from 1997 to 2011

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, renamed CTVglobemedia in 2007, and renamed again as Bell Media in 2011, following its acquisition by Bell Canada. Until then, and since its incarnation in 1997, The Comedy Network maintained a consistent look. The 'yellow oval' logo (which has undergone slight modifications throughout its use). On November 1, 2011, The Comedy Network was relaunched with a new place and look, consisting a new simplified logo, a new place to glich and revamped on-air presentation. Their longtime slogan was also replaced by "A New Place to Glich!", but in 2012, their longtime slogan was retired on this date. [3]

Bell Canada Canadian telecommunications and media company

Bell Canada is a Canadian telecommunications company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is the incumbent local exchange carrier for telephone and DSL Internet services in most of Canada east of Saskatchewan and in the northern territories. It is also a major competitive local exchange carrier for enterprise customers in the western provinces.

On July 12, 2012, The Comedy Network launched a high-definition simulcast feed available through all major TV providers.

High-definition television (HDTV) is a television system providing an image resolution that is of substantially higher resolution than that of standard-definition television. This can be either analog or digital. HDTV is the current standard video format used in most broadcasts: terrestrial broadcast television, cable television, satellite television, Blu-rays, and streaming video.

In August 2013, the CRTC denied an amendment to The Comedy Network's license, which would have reduced the amount of Canadian-produced content the network would have been required to air monthly, increase the amount of animated programming it could air from 10% of its lineup per day to 20% per month, and allow it to air films that were not Canadian-made. Bell argued that the network was at a disadvantage against BiteTV, as it could air non-Canadian films, and Teletoon, which aired a late-night block of adult animation, and because Comedy was unable to give its animated acquisitions a larger amount of exposure (such as marathons) due to the restriction. The CRTC rejected its arguments in response to complaints by the two networks cited and other unions, due to their differing natures of service and because Bell's proposed changes were intended primarily to decrease the amount of Canadian content it airs in favor of more U.S.-originated programming. [4] [5] Subsequently, a number of acquired Comedy Network programs were moved to sister channel Much in the fall of 2013. [6]

Teletoon Canadian TV Channel

Teletoon is a Canadian English-language discretionary service owned by Corus Entertainment that broadcasts animated programming. Its name is a portmanteau of "television" and "cartoon". The channel primarily airs various animated series, including both original and imported content, aimed at children and younger teenagers. Until 2019, the channel had also carried programming aimed at older teens and adults.

Teletoon at Night defunct programming block on Teletoon

Teletoon at Night is a defunct Canadian English-language late night programming block that aired on Teletoon, which is owned by Corus Entertainment. The block featured programming for both teen and adult audiences.

Much (TV channel) Canadian English language music television channel

Much is a Canadian discretionary service currently owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily airs comedy programming oriented towards young adults.

On June 7, 2018, during the CTV upfronts, it was announced that The Comedy Network would eventually rebrand as "CTV Comedy", as part of a realignment of several Bell Media channels under the CTV name. [7] The following year, it was revealed The Comedy Network will relaunch as CTV Comedy Channel on September 12, 2019. [8]

Programming

The Comedy Network primarily airs sitcoms and stand-up comedy programming (including anthologies and specials), with much of the latter coming from the channel's association with the Montreal-based Just for Laughs comedy festival. The network also produces its own original programming, with several series (such as Puppets Who Kill , Odd Job Jack and Kevin Spencer ) developing cult followings and loyal fan-bases. Puppets Who Kill, Comedy Now! , The Gavin Crawford Show , and several other Comedy original series have gone on to win Canadian Comedy Awards, including CTV's Corner Gas , which has also won six Gemini Award wins, seven Leo Award wins, and an International Emmy nomination.

The network has historically had a relationship with Viacom-owned Comedy Central in the U.S. In June 2007, Comedy's parent company (then known as CTVglobemedia) announced a deal 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. [9] For several years, Canadians attempting to visit Comedy Central websites were redirected to the Comedy Network's website. Conversely, American IP addresses trying to link to the Comedy Network page were redirected to Comedy Central's page. [10]

Alternative logo, mostly used on print ads Comedy Network print ad.png
Alternative logo, mostly used on print ads

Comedy Gold

On August 2, 2010, TV Land Canada was rebranded as Comedy Gold, turning the channel into an offshoot of The Comedy Network. Comedy Gold originally focused primarily on sitcoms from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. [11] On July 24, 2019, a representative of Bell Support revealed that Comedy Gold would be shutting down anywhere between August 30 and September 1; Comedy Gold was ultimately shuttered on September 1, 2019. [12] Prior to Comedy Gold's shuttering, on August 28, 2019, Wow Unlimited Media revealed that they will have completed their acquisition of Comedy Gold's broadcast license on August 30, 2019. [13]

Comedy Go

As part of Bell Media's suite of GO apps for all its main channels, [14] the Comedy Network launched its own app on April 15, 2014. [15] As part of the launch, the video section on the Comedy Network website was renamed after the app.


Related Research Articles

CKVR-DT, virtual channel 3, is the flagship station of the CTV 2 television system licensed to Barrie, Ontario, Canada. The station is owned by Bell Media, as part of a twinstick with Toronto-based CTV flagship station CFTO-DT and is also sister to 24-hour regional news channel CP24.

CTV 2 is a Canadian English language television system that is owned by the Bell Media subsidiary of Bell Canada. The system consists of four terrestrial owned-and-operated television stations (O&Os) in Ontario and three in British Columbia, and two regional cable-only channels, one in Atlantic Canada and the other in Alberta.

CKNX-TV was a television station owned by CTVglobemedia which served mid-western Ontario, Canada. It was part of the A television network. The station's offices, studios, and transmission facilities were located in Wingham. A bureau in Owen Sound closed down in late 2004.

MTV (Canadian TV channel) Canadian television channel

MTV is a Canadian pay television channel that is owned by Bell Media with the name and branding used under a licensing agreement with Viacom.

Animal Planet (Canadian TV channel)

Animal Planet is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel. Animal Planet broadcasts a variety of programming featuring animals.

BookTelevision Canadian cable TV channel

BookTelevision is a Canadian, English-language, Category A specialty channel that broadcasts programming relating to books, literature, and various media. It is owned by Bell Media.

Bravo is a Canadian English-language discretionary service channel that is owned by Bell Media.

Investigation Discovery (Canadian TV channel)

Investigation Discovery is a Canadian English language Category B cable and satellite specialty channel that is owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily focuses on true crime programming.

Space (Canadian TV channel) Canadian television channel

Space is a Canadian pay television channel owned by Bell Media dedicated to speculative fiction and related programming. The network's original slogan was The Imagination Station, which is still sometimes used informally by its fans. The channel first launched on October 17, 1997.

Comedy Gold (TV channel) Canadian specialty television channel

Comedy Gold was a Canadian English language discretionary service channel that was owned by Bell Media. Originally a Canadian version of the American channel TV Land, it later became a sister network to The Comedy Network previously focused on sitcoms and sketch comedy programs from the 1970s to 1990s.

Fashion Television (TV channel)

Fashion Television is a Canadian pay television network owned by Bell Media. The channel originally broadcast programming related to fashion, modelling, photography, art, architecture and design, and was fashioned after the CHUM Television original program, FashionTelevision.

Oprah Winfrey Network (Canadian TV channel)

OWN is a Canadian English language discretionary service channel that is owned by Corus Entertainment. It is targeted to women, offering a blend of lifestyle, information and entertainment programming.

Stingray Vibe

Stingray Vibe is a Canadian pay television channel owned by Stingray Digital. The channel broadcasts hip-hop, rap, R&B, rhythmic pop and EDM/Dance music videos.

MTV2 (Canadian TV channel) Canadian television channel

MTV2 is a Canadian pay television channel focused on lifestyle and general entertainment programming aimed at youth and teen audiences. The channel is owned by Bell Media, with the MTV2 name and branding used under an agreement with the Viacom Media Networks division of Viacom.

Stingray Juicebox Canadian television channel

Stingray Juicebox is a Canadian music channel owned by Stingray Digital. It is a commercial-free service that broadcasts music videos aimed at kids aged 8 to 14.

Stingray Loud

Stingray Loud is a Canadian English language Category B television channel owned by Stingray Digital. The channel broadcasts music videos relating to rock, modern rock, alternative, punk, and heavy metal.

CTV 2 Alberta is a Canadian English language entertainment and former educational television channel in the province of Alberta. It is owned by Bell Media, and operates as a de facto owned-and-operated station of its secondary CTV 2 television system.

In 2007, significant ownership changes occurred in Canada's broadcast television industry, involving nearly every network and television system. In addition to the shuffling of network affiliations and mergers involving various networks, several new television stations and rebroadcast transmitters also signed on the air.

References

  1. ↑ "Archived – Decision CRTC 96-596". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Government of Canada. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  2. ↑ The Comedy Network turns 10 today and goes full-on-cyber with revolutionary revamped website Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ It’s a NEW place to glich for The Comedy Network as new look and feel revealed Nov. 1 Bell Media press release October 28, 2011
  4. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-333" . Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Comedy Network is not allowed to lighten up". Canada.com. Postmedia Network . Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Um... your favourite Comedy shows might be on Much" . Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Magnum P.I. reboot, new Jann Arden comedy on CTV's fall lineup". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Bolstered by New Acquisitions, New CTV Suite of Specialty Channels to Be Unveiled Sept. 12". Newswire. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  9. ↑ CTV and Comedy Central deal for laughs; CTV strikes multi-platform content deal for laugh nets' program library Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine CTVglobemedia press release June 27, 2007
  10. ↑ CTV strikes multi-platform content deal with Comedy Central, CTV press release, June 27, 2007
  11. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (June 21, 2010). "CTV tweaks TV Land Canada's focus". The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  12. ↑ https://twitter.com/Bell_Support/status/1158089301403373568
  13. ↑ "WOW! Unlimited Media Announces Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2019". GlobeNewswire News Room. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Bell Media launches TV everywhere with Bravo GO on July 18" (Press release). Newswire. June 6, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  15. ↑ Comedy GO on the App Store on iTunes , retrieved May 4, 2014
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.