The Comedy Network | |
---|---|
Launched | October 17, 1997 |
Owned by | Bell Media |
Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) (2012–present) 480i (SDTV) (1997–present) |
Country | Canada |
Broadcast area | National |
Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
Sister channel(s) |
Comedy Gold Much |
Timeshift service | Comedy East Comedy West |
Website | www |
Availability
|
|
Satellite | |
Bell TV | 625 (East; SD) 626 (West; SD) 1740 (East; HD) |
Shaw Direct | 547 (West; SD) 548 (East; SD) 85 / 585 (East; HD) |
Cable | |
Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
IPTV | |
Bell Aliant Fibe TV | 208 (East; SD) 431 (East; HD) |
Bell Fibe TV | 625 (East; SD) 626 (West; SD) 1625 (East; HD) 1626 (West; HD) |
Bell MTS | 115 (East; SD) 116 (West; SD) |
Optik TV | 173 (West; SD) 710 (East; HD) |
SaskTel | 74 (West; SD) 374 (East; HD) |
VMedia | 50 (East; HD) |
Zazeen | 110 (East; HD) |
The Comedy Network (often shortened to Comedy) is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that is owned by Bell Media. The channel specializes in comedy programming, including original and acquired series, films and stand-up comedy specials. The Comedy Network operates two time-shifted feeds, running on Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules.
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. The channel launched on October 17, 1997 with the slogan Time Well Wasted, a variation of the U.S.-based channel A&E's slogan at the time, "Time Well Spent".
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 look, consisting a new simplified logo and revamped on-air presentation. Their longtime slogan was also retired on this date.