 | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Australia, New Zealand |
| Network | Comedy Central |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (16:9HDTV) (downscaled to720p for the Australian feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Paramount Networks UK & Australia |
| Sister channels | 10 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 | |
| Launched | 1 April 2009; 16 years ago (2009-04-01) (New Zealand) 1 April 2016; 9 years ago (2016-04-01) (Australia) |
| Closed | 31 March 2025; 7 months ago (2025-03-31) (Australia) 2 December 2025; 8 days' time (2025-12-02) (New Zealand) |
| Replaced by | Sky Comedy (New Zealand) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Sky Go(New Zealand) | skygo.co.nz |
| Paramount+(Australia) | paramountplus.com |
Comedy Central is an Australian andNew Zealand 24-hour linearsubscription television channel dedicated tocomedy programming owned byParamount Skydance Corporation, launched on 1 April 2009 in New Zealand, and on 1 April 2016 in Australia. The channel is exclusively broadcast on theSky TV platform in New Zealand. It was also broadcast viaAustralian IPTV providerFetch TV in Australia and one of the firstComedy Centralfranchises to be launched outside theUnited States. The channel has a strong blend of animation, stand-up and scripted programs. The core audience demographic covers the 15–48 age bracket. It features well known international titles, as well as some local content. It has strong viewership and is one of the top entertainment channels on the Sky TV platform.[1]
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 launchComedy Central.[2] The launch comes following increased local presence byComedy Central.[2][3] The channel, which will be advertisement free and be exclusively available via Fetch TV,[4] will be broadcast from Australia and as a result see Viacom hire additional local personnel for operations.[2] The launch ofComedy Central coincided with the initial closure of sister channelMTV 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 is also available across Australia via theSVOD serviceParamount+, which replaced10 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+. In New Zealand, the channel will close on 2 December, being replaced by Sky Comedy, ultimately meaning the channel will shutdown completely.[9]
The network airs content from itsU.S. counterpart, with 90% of the programming at launch coming from theViacomCBS library, in addition to local productions – which initially is in short form.[2][4][10] Although Viacom have existing agreements with theFoxtel-ownedThe Comedy Channel, content is made available to both Comedy Central and The Comedy Channel at the same time.[2]
Some programmes available include:
