ITV

Tag: Comedy Central

  • Comedy Central reaches two million fans on Facebook

    Comedy Central reaches two million fans on Facebook

    MUMBAI: It has been two years since Comedy Central launched in India. The channel dedicated to comedy has surely made its inroads into its audience’s heart. The proof is the two million fans on Facebook in just two years.

     

    In a time wherein social media platforms make or break a brand’s market presence, Comedy Central has used them effectively to engage audiences and maintain a presence in their lives even when the television is off. 

    Growth chart of Comedy Central India Facebook page

    Commenting on the achievement, Viacom18 sr VP and head English entertainment Ferzad Palia said, “Our Facebook page is the epicentre of all our social activity online. We are delighted to reach this milestone especially considering we went from one to two million in a matter of only eight months!  This is symbolic of our fans loyalty. We will continue to strive to provide the best of comedy entertainment both on & off air”

     

    One of the engagements that had outstanding results was Suits Season 2 FB App: Are You a Real Suitor? The objective was to capitalise on the show’s wide appeal and provide a refresher to audiences before the second season. Over 10,000 participants signed up to test their “Suits Quotient” giving the page 60,000 page views and 40,160 unique views. Social media conversations around the show increased by 200 per cent generating over 200,000 impressions and the show hashtag #SuitsS2onCC trended in India.

    “A big thank you to all our fans for helping us reach this mark. It truly feels wonderful to see this FB page reach this milestone. This only goes to prove their loyalty. CC India re-affirms the endeavour to provide its fans with cult entertainment,” added Viacom18 digital media VP and business head Rajneel Kumar.

     

    Comedy Central India since its inception prides itself of having the right mix for the diverse audience it caters to. The channel’s reach has grown five times in the past one year. Smaller cities have shown a steady growth in contribution while the channel maintains number one position in the metros.

  • Laugh 2013 Off’ with Comedy Central

    Laugh 2013 Off’ with Comedy Central

    MUMBAI: For those who prefer to sit and homes and enjoy, Comedy Central has something exciting to offer. The channel believes that the only memories one should have are those filled with uncontrollable laughter.

     

    So to relive those memories, the channel has geared for ‘Laugh 2013 Off’ which kicked off on the Christmas day and will continue till 31 December. Viewers will get a chance to see the reruns of the best shows in the year 2013.

     

    The year started with the channel airing Anger Management followed by Suits. Apart from them, other famous American sitcoms such as ‘Whitney’, ‘Awkward’ and ‘Outsourced’ were also aired by the channel.

     

    These three shows have also been picked for the week and that makes it the Fantastic Five for ‘Laugh 2013 Off!’ Harvey Spector’s antics, Charlie’s debacles, Whitney’s daily hilarity, Jenna’s humorous teenage struggles and Todd’s fun encounter the perfect laughter riot!

  • Comedy central gives more reasons to laugh it off this festive season with brand new shows

    Comedy central gives more reasons to laugh it off this festive season with brand new shows

    MUMBAI: Promising a gleeful end to this eventful year, Comedy Central adds excitement to the festive spirit with its amazing show line up, assuring primetime laughter buzz continues. Pioneering the art of catering the viewers with bespoke comedy, Comedy Central India launches the third season of two astounding shows to its already exciting December show lineup. Having received worldwide applause the shows are now making their way into the Indian homeland at the primetime slot.

    The show embellishment includes – Season 3 of ‘Key & Peele’ which project the two protagonist in front of a live studio audience bantering about a topic weaved between filmed shorts and sketches. The show premieres on December 17, 2013 Monday to Wednesday at 10.30 pm.

    While Christmas Eve, will see the Indian premiere of Season 3 of ‘The Exes’ which revolves around a group of divorced friends who are trying to get back to their single life. The show premieres on December 24, 2013 Monday to Wednesday at 10.00 pm.

  • Two new shows set to spice up CCs programme line-up

    Two new shows set to spice up CCs programme line-up

    MUMBAI: The best in English comedy available on the television tube in the country just added some more spice to their show line-up. Come December, the primetime laughter buzz continues on India’s 24×7 laughter destination, Comedy Central as it launches the latest season of two widely popular shows.

     

    The channel best known to deliver refreshing comedy content to its viewers consistently, month after month is now all geared up to introduce two new shows in the timeslot  between 10:00 pm – 12:00 pm, adding new definition to primetime.

     

    The show spread includes – Season 3 of Awkward at 10:00 pm and Workaholics at 11:00, premiering 2 December, 2013, every Monday to Wednesday on the channel.

    Awkward: This American teen comedy encapsulates the journey, up’s and down’s of an unpopular 15 year old girl, Jenna Hamilton. She gains immediate, yet unwanted, popularity at her high school when the student body mistakes an infamous accident she has for a suicide attempt. However, embracing her misfortune, she becomes well-known to her peers through her blog.

     

     The show has received nominations for ‘Critics’ Choice Television Awards, 2012’ for ‘Best Comedy Actress’ followed by the triumph at  ‘Teen Choice Awards, 2012’ for ‘TV Breakout Star: Male’ and the recent ‘People’s Choice Awards, 2013’ for ‘Favorite Cable TV Comedy.’

     

    Workaholics: This American sitcom-drama based in Rancho Cucamonga, California is predominantly written by its stars Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, Anders Holm, and co-creator Kyle Newacheck who play, respectively, three recent college dropouts, roommates, and co-workers at a telemarketing company. Accompanying them is their drug dealer.

     

    The show captures the life of these unmotivated college graduates as they venture into the real world is all about. From now on they will be forced to follow dress codes, make deadlines and above all wake up before noon. After realising they are no longer responsible for making the grade in school, they will do whatever it takes to avoid work and have a good time.

  • Everybody is getting into Suits

    Everybody is getting into Suits

    This October get ready as Comedy Central lines up the biggest show of the year – Suits. After two super hit seasons, Comedy Central brings back Harvey Spector and Mike Ross on Suits-Season 3. Premiering on October 7th Season 3 promises to be bigger & better than the previous two super hit seasons with more drama & sharp witty one liners than ever before!

     

    The third season premieres with a shift in the dynamics at New York’s top law firm. After merging with a top British firm, Harvey is at odds with his boss and mentor, Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres). Meanwhile, Mike and Rachel Zane’s (Meghan Markel) romance has its up’s & down’s as well. The script beautifully captures the inner conflict of the characters as well as their personal bond and conflict with each other.
    The season has been described as “Intense, Witty & with fine performances” by Tom Gliatto of People Weekly & Denise Warner from Entertainment Weeks says “The result finds the actors inhabiting their characters’ backstabbing natures as comfortably as their outfits.”

     

    Commenting on the new season, Ferzad Palia, Senior VP and GM – English Entertainment, Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd, says “With two brilliant previous seasons Suits has developed a cult following in India much like it has in many other countries the world over. Season three has been huge in the US garnering record audiences & we intend on making it really big in India as well. Keeping in mind the popularity of the show, we’ve planned a 360 degree marketing campaign that will take viewer interest to the next level”

     

    To further promote the Suits fever among fans, the channel has undertaken a 360 degree marketing strategy ‘Everybody in Suits’. This campaign will engage Comedy Central fans through on-air promotion, on-ground activities and digital media. One of the activities the channel is undertaking as a part of its marketing strategy is to partner with Cafe Coffee Day. On launch day,all patrons wearing Suits at Cafe Coffee day outlets across the country will be offered a free cup of coffee. Another interesting concept that will be executed during the launch period will be in partnership with Pressto, where all customers bringing in their SUITS to be dry-cleaned will find communications in their freshly cleaned Suits asking them to tune in to the show on launch day.

     

    On premiere day, one will witness the suits fever with people dressed in Suits at the most unlikely locations like Gyms, Petrol Pumps and Parks all across the leading metro’s – Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata.

     

    The season will also be promoted through a contest amongst both viewers & media agencies which will urge them to wear Suits on the day of the launch. Participants will have to take a picture of themselves in suits and send them to Comedy Central India. All images will be collated and the lucky winners will be gratified with a vacation fit for Harvey Spector where winners will enjoy a once in a lifetime experience at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. Accommodated in one of the luxury lake-view rooms for two nights & three days, Winners will enjoy Spa sessions, a fine dining experience, a Jaguar for travel services & the whole experience of the Harvey life!

  • Everybody is getting into Suits

    Everybody is getting into Suits

    MUMBAI: This October get ready as Comedy Central lines up the biggest show of the year – Suits. After two super hit seasons, Comedy Central brings back Harvey Spector and Mike Ross on Suits-Season 3. Premiering on October 7th Season 3 promises to be bigger & better than the previous two super hit seasons with more drama & sharp witty one liners than ever before!      

     

    The third season premieres with a shift in the dynamics at New York’s top law firm. After merging with a top British firm, Harvey is at odds with his boss and mentor, Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres). Meanwhile, Mike and Rachel Zane’s (Meghan Markel) romance has its up’s & down’s as well. The script beautifully captures the inner conflict of the characters as well as their personal bond and conflict with each other.

     

    The season has been described as “Intense, Witty & with fine performances” by Tom Gliatto of People Weekly & Denise Warner from Entertainment Weeks says “The result finds the actors inhabiting their characters’ backstabbing natures as comfortably as their outfits.”

     

    Commenting on the new season, Ferzad Palia, Senior VP and GM – English Entertainment, Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd, says “With two brilliant previous seasons Suits has developed a cult following in India much like it has in many other countries the world over. Season three has been huge in the US garnering record audiences & we intend on making it really big in India as well.  Keeping in mind the popularity of the show, we’ve planned a 360 degree marketing campaign that will take viewer interest to the next level”

     

    To further promote the Suits fever among fans, the channel has undertaken a 360 degree marketing strategy ‘Everybody in Suits’.  This campaign will engage Comedy Central fans through on-air promotion, on-ground activities and digital media. One of the activities the channel is undertaking as a part of its marketing strategy is to partner with Café Coffee Day. On launch day,all patrons wearing Suits at Café Coffee day outlets across the country will be offered a free cup of coffee. Another interesting concept that will be executed during the launch period will be in partnership with Pressto, where all customers bringing in their SUITS to be dry-cleaned will find communications in their freshly cleaned Suits asking them to tune in to the show on launch day.

     

    On premiere day, one will witness the suits fever with people dressed in Suits at the most unlikely locations like Gyms, Petrol Pumps and Parks all across the leading metro’s – Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata

    The season will also be promoted through a contest amongst both viewers & media agencies which will urge them to wear Suits on the day of the launch. Participants will have to take a picture of themselves in suits and send them to Comedy Central India. All images will be collated and the lucky winners will be gratified with a vacation fit for Harvey Spector where winners will enjoy a once in a lifetime experience at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. Accommodated in one of the luxury lake-view rooms for two nights & three days, Winners will enjoy  Spa sessions, a fine dining experience, a Jaguar for travel services & the whole experience of the Harvey life!

  • Comedy Central streams James Franco Roast

    Comedy Central streams James Franco Roast

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central is taking one of its showcases and streaming it free across multiple platforms. The “Roast of James Franco” will be accessible via CC.com, mobile platforms and an Xbox app.

    A red carpet pre-show will also be available. The network is hoping to drum up considerable social media activity with the sharing of video clips and animated GIFs on its Web site, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine and Tumblr.

    The roast debuts Monday at 10:00 p.m. For a re-air later that night, Comedy Central is trying a “social version” with real-time tweets and Facebook posts on-screen.

    Among the social media activity the network has used to drum up interest in the special is allowing “super users” to take control of Comedy Central’s Vine account.

    Franco’s real-life grandmother will be co-hosting the “#FrancoRoast Red Carpet Pre-Show.” Grandma Mitzie Verne will interview celebrities on a couch. The 15-minute red carpet show will be produced by Comedy Central’s in-house digital studio.

    Seth Rogen serves as the roast master with Jonah Hill and Andy Samberg among those taking a turn at the mike.

  • Times TV’s plans to romp ahead with Romedy

    Times TV’s plans to romp ahead with Romedy

    MUMBAI: Indian audiences already have a good list of channels to choose from if they want to turn to English entertainment. Keep switching channels and you will whisk through Star Movies, Movies Now, Star World, Zee Studio, Zee Café, HBO, World Movies, Comedy Central, CBS Spark, CBS Love etc. and what have you. Does there seem to be a dearth that needs to be filled? Is there space for more? According to the Times Television Network (TTN) there is absolutely space for another fighter in the league. With that, it has added a companion Romedy Now to its existing movie channel Movies Now which is expected to be launched in the next 15 days.

     

    Feeling the need to make people happy, the genres Romance and Comedy will be seen on the new channel as both movies and series. A new format is also being experimented with that is being outsourced and is still under process. “We are in talks with foreign distributors to acquire content but we will edit them in a different style,” says Romedy Now business head Harsh Sheth. Going with the tagline ‘Live. Laugh. Love’ it aims to target the urban affluent masses in the major metropolitan cities at first and gradually extend to the one million+ towns, targeting SEC A and B in the age group 15-44.

     

    70 per cent content will be movies and the rest shows. The movies will be contemporary on the lines of Devil Wears Prada, 27 dresses, Bride Wars, The Ugly Truth etc. Its target is to get about 20 million viewers. Enough content is in stock to be utilised for eight months. These include offerings from big studios such as Warner Bros, Fox, Regency, MGM and Sony as well as another 40 small ones from the US and Europe. New shows will have first runs on Romedy Now.

     

    Romedy Now will be available in both HD and SD on cable TV, satellite, DTH and IPTV as a pay TV service. The SD channel will be available in eight metro cities on the launch day at a price of Rs 17.66 while the HD channel called Romedy Now Plus is priced at Rs 149. The content team is common for both the sister channels while the exclusive team consist of 45 people.

     

    Romedy Now will see 10 minutes of advertising while, just one or two minutes of air time has been kept aside for Romedy Now Plus.  The start time of shows and movies will be the same on both the channels while the gap time on the HD channel will be filled with fillers. As of now no advertisers have been approached but plans are to first go to the top 100 starting with those being managed by Group M, Madison etc. The affluent audience is willing to spend and enough advertisers will be willing to target them, is what the management believes.

     

    A grand marketing plan is being chalked out with the support of the whole Times of India Group. A comprehensive rollout will take place closer to launch including print, sister and other channels, radio, mobile, online and emerging markets. “Watch out for the TOI. You will see a new language of love and laughter,” says Sheth.

     

    So what do media planners have to say about the channel? Most of them seem to be optimistic about its success. “The trend of watching English channels online, which normally not seen here is gaining momentum and Romedy Now will make its mark among the urban audience,” says Mindshare Leader South Asia Ravi Rao.

     

    “Segmentation is always a good idea,” says Madison Media Group CEO Gautam Kiyawat giving a thumbs up to the new entrant.

     

    The whole English entertainment genre of advertising and subscription is valued at above Rs 1,200 crore out of which Times Group MD and CEO Sunil Lulla claims Movies Now has a 20 per cent share and he believes that Romedy Now will outpace it.

     

    “English entertainment is growing at a fast pace but it is highly under monetised and undervalued,” says Times Group English Entertainment Channels CEO Ajay Trigunayat.

     

    The economy is at its lowest currently and Lulla is aware of this. “There is a short term panic in the economy and a consumer slowdown so the effort we have put behind it is a little more than Movies Now,” he says. Although he did not mention an estimated time to break even he pointed out that in the current situation three years is the minimum for any channel. “Television business is not about a break even. It’s about an enduring economic progressive journey,” he adds.

     

    As far as the television industry is concerned Lulla is positive that it will keep growing because currently 140 million homes are served, which means another 80 million are left out. Calculating the money, a consumer just pays 50 paise per hour for it. “This is the cheapest social service industry in the world. The price better go northward or else this social service industry will shut down,” he says.

     

    The team’s research showed that there is definitely space for Romedy Now to fit into the existing gargantuan list but whether the viewers will take a liking to it will be seen only after its launch.