Comedy Central (Australia and New Zealand)

Comedy Central
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia, New Zealand
NetworkComedy Central
Programming
LanguageEnglish
Picture format1080i (16:9 HDTV)
(downscaled to 720p for the Australian feed)
Ownership
OwnerParamount Networks UK & Australia
Sister channels10
10 HD
10 Comedy
10 Drama
MTV
Club MTV
MTV Hits
MTV 80s
Nickelodeon AU & NZ
Nickelodeon AU (free-to-air)
Nick Jr.
NickMusic
History
Launched1 April 2009 (2009-04-01) (New Zealand)
1 April 2016 (2016-04-01) (Australia)
ClosedMarch 2025 (2025-03) (Australia)
2 December 2025 (2025-12-02) (New Zealand)
Replaced bySky Comedy (New Zealand)
Links
Websitewww.comedycentral.com.au
Availability
Streaming media
Sky Go (New Zealand)skygo.co.nz
Paramount+ (Australia)paramountplus.com

Comedy Central was an Australian and New Zealand 24-hour linear subscription television channel dedicated to comedy programming owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation, launched on 1 April 2009 in New Zealand, and on 1 April 2016 in Australia. The channel was closed down in 2025.

The channel was exclusively broadcast on the Sky TV platform in New Zealand. It was also broadcast via Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV in Australia, and was one of the first Comedy Central franchises to be launched outside the United States. The channel had a strong blend of animation, stand-up and scripted programs. The core audience demographic covered the 15–48 age bracket. It featured well known international titles, as well as some local content. It had strong viewership and was one of the top entertainment channels on the Sky TV platform.[1]

History

On 29 February 2016, it was announced that following discussions since mid-2015, Fetch TV had finalised discussions with Viacom on Friday 26 February 2016 to launch Comedy Central.[2] The launch came following increased local presence by Comedy Central.[2][3] The channel, which would be advertisement free and be exclusively available via Fetch TV,[4] would be broadcast from Australia. Viacom hired additional local personnel for operations.[2] The launch of Comedy Central coincided with the initial closure of sister channel MTV Classic prior to its eventual rebrand.[5]

On 15 February 2018, Comedy Central was made available in HD for Fetch TV customers.[6]

Comedy Central programming was also available across Australia via the SVOD service Paramount+, which replaced 10 All Access on 11 August 2021.[7]

On 31 March 2025, the channel closed down via Fetch TV,[8] with its programming moving to Paramount+ and 10 Comedy. In New Zealand, the channel was closed on 2 December, being replaced by Sky Comedy. The final programme to air was the South Park episode "White People Renovating Houses".[9]

Programming

The network aired content from its U.S. counterpart, with 90% of the programming at launch coming from the ViacomCBS library, in addition to local productions – which initially was in short form.[2][4][10] Although Viacom had existing agreements with the Foxtel-owned the Comedy Channel, content was made available to both Comedy Central and the Comedy Channel at the same time.[2]

Original programming

Acquired programming

Some programmes available included:

References

  1. ↑ "Comedy Central to Debut in New Zealand Barring April Fool's Bait n' Switch". Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Mason, Max (29 February 2016). "Viacom signs deal with Fetch TV to launch Comedy Central". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Knox, David (14 January 2016). "Comedy Central launches Aussie website". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Comedy Central comes to Fetch TV". mUmBRELLA. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Fetch TV (28 February 2016). "Get ready to laugh your face off". Facebook. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Fetch". Facebook. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  7. ↑ Marsh, Peter (11 August 2021). "Shortcuts guide: All you need to know about Paramount+". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  8. ↑ Barrett, Dan (6 March 2025). "No laughs with decline of Fetch TV as it says goodbye to Comedy Central". Always Be Watching. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Media Insider: Sky launching new channels – Sky Kids and Sky Comedy to replace Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central and Cartoon Network; music channels to replace MTV". The New Zealand Herald. 10 November 2025. Archived from the original on 11 November 2025.
  10. ↑ Knox, David (29 February 2016). "Comedy Central coming to Fetch TV". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  11. ↑ Knox, David (7 May 2016). "Comedy Central launches first Aussie comedy shorts". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Barrett, Dan (30 March 2016). "Comedy Central Australia – 8 things you need to know for its launch". Media Week. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Today Is The Day! Comedy Central's Australian Fetch TV Channel Is Launching At 7pm!". Comedy Central Australia. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
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