Comedy Central grows Snapchat slate

Viacom-owned Comedy Central is poised to expand its Discover channel on Snapchat after unveiling a host of original series created exclusively for the platform.

Kent Alterman

The Snapchat slate includes greenlights for nine series encompassing animation, sketch, stand-up, reality and late-night, with premiere dates yet to be revealed.

The shows, all of which will be available globally, include 7 Mins in Purgatory, which has been created by Ian Abramson and focuses on five comedians who must perform their acts in an empty space devoid of an audience.

Animal-Lolz details the antics of comedic creatures, while another animated show, Bert’s Dreams, explores comedian Bert Kreischer’s dreams.

Reality spoof Deadliest Chef and Guber Pool, from sketch team Dollar Pizza, are also among the shows greenlit.

Kent Alterman, president of original programming at Comedy Central in the US, said the firm had been “experimenting with established and emerging talent” for the service.

“We launched our Snapchat Discover channel internationally just two months ago and are thrilled with the response from fans,” said Jill Offman, senior VP and head of Comedy Central International.

“With a mission to become the home of funny across every platform internationally, this fresh new content lets us give our audiences more of what they love and expect from Comedy Central around the world.”

Snapchat shuttered its own Snap Channel business and ended its brief foray into original content creation last year with the exit of former Fox comedy exec Marcus Wiley.