The Comedy Network

The Comedy Network
	The Comedy Network logo
Launched	October 17, 1997
Owned by	Bell Media
Picture format	1080i (HDTV); (2012-present); 480i (SDTV); (1997-present)
Slogan	Canada's #1 Comedy Network
Country	Canada
Broadcast area	National
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Sister channel(s)	Comedy Gold
Website	The Comedy Network
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV	625 (East) (SD); 626 (West) (SD); 1740 (East) (HD)
Shaw Direct	547 (West) (SD); 548 (East) (SD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systems	Check local listings, channels may vary
IPTV
Bell Aliant TV	208 (East) (SD) 431 (East) (HD)
Bell Fibe TV	625 (East) (SD); 626 (West) (SD); 1625 (East) (HD); 1626 (West) (HD)
MTS	115 (East) (SD); 116 (West) (SD)
Optik TV	173 (West) (SD); 710 (East) (HD)
SaskTel	74 (West) (SD)

The Comedy Network (often referred to as Comedy) is 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).

History [edit]

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 and was renamed CTVglobemedia in 2007, then Bell Media in 2011 following its acquisition by Bell Canada. (See CTVglobemedia and Bell Media for history of Baton ownership).

The channel was launched on October 17, 1997,^[2] 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]

Programming [edit]

Further information: List of programs broadcast by The Comedy Network

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.

Relationship with Comedy Central [edit]

The Comedy Network, since its beginning, has held a relationship with its American counterpart, Comedy Central. The Comedy Network has broadcast many Comedy Central programs 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]

Successes and awards [edit]

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 [edit]

Further information: Comedy Gold (TV channel)

Comedy Gold is an offshoot of Bell Media's specialty 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]