Comedy Central sets up studio

Viacom-owned cablenet Comedy Central in the US is setting up its own studio production entity.

Kent Alterman

Comedy Central Productions will partner with comedy writers, producers and on-screen talent to develop content and bring it to market via distribution partners and buyers on all TV and digital platforms.

It has first-look deals in place with Paul W Downs and Lucia Aniello’s Paulilu, writer/producer Anthony King, Daniel Powell and Alex Bach’s Irony Point and producer Stuart Miller.

“For years we’ve been successfully expanding the trustworthy Comedy Central brand beyond linear, extending to digital, social, podcasts, radio and live events. The next logical step is to establish Comedy Central Productions,” said Kent Alterman, president of Comedy Central, Paramount Network and TV Land.

“By leaning into our development expertise and production capabilities, and by partnering with some of the smartest and funniest talent in comedy, this is another way we can thrive. And putting more great comedy in the world couldn’t hurt.”

The move comes as Viacom aims to increasingly work with third-party platforms and buyers via its international studio and brands such as Nickelodeon.