ABC is not joking about comedy
THE AUSTRALIAN Broadcasting Commission (ABC) has announced the December 4 launch of ABC Comedy, a new multi-platform brand that spans a TV channel - replacing ABC2 - ABC iview, ABC listen and key social media platforms.
A statement from the ABC said the new brand would be "devoted to providing Australian audiences with an unrivalled comedy offering". ABC Comedy is a mix of scripted and non-scripted, long and short form TV shows, and podcasts.
Tonightly with Tom Ballard will screen on the ABC Comedy TV channel weeknights at 9pm and stream live through ABC Comedy on iview, Facebook and YouTube. 
"It’s a show made for today's audiences — fast moving, irreverent, topical, talent driven, and just plain funny — with bite-sized packages released throughout the day on social media," the ABC spokesperson said.
"Lovers of snackable short form comedy will enjoy six all new Australian ABC Comedy series available on iview from December 4. These include Nakkiah Lui’s new series Kiki and Kitty; #CelesteChallengeAccepted from comedian and Instagram star Celeste Barber; The Chinaboy Show from YouTube sensation John Luc (aka MyChonny); Neel Kolhatkar’s Virgin Bush; the charming Other People’s Problems; new Indigenous comedy Aussie Rangers; plus the next series of When TV Was Awesome as well as 60 new bite-sized films from the new batch of Fresh Blood teams."
New ABC Comedy YouTube and Facebook feeds will feature short form content, exclusive edits and live streams. A new and fast-growing series of comedy podcasts on ABC listen will also give audiences opportunities to listen and laugh.
Over summer viewers can also binge on ABC Comedy on iview with the full series of Rosehaven, Get Krack!n’, The Ex-PM, The Edge of the Bush, The Katering Show, Upper Middle Bogan, Almost Midnight, DAFUQ, Goober, Fancy Boy, Growing Up Gracefully, Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am, The Letdown, Lost in Pronunciation, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival showcases and Comedy Up Late.
There is a plethora of premium international titles to launch the ABC Comedy channel including: Game Face, Catastrophe Season 3 (S3), Episodes (S4&5), Murder in Successville,Inside Amy Schumer (S3&4) and every weeknight a chance to enjoy Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Office, 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation. 2018 titles include Fleabag (S1), Plebs (S3), Asian Provocateur, and Idiot Sitter (S1). More titles are to be announced soon.
"The laughs will continue on the ABC’s main channel, with a raft of returning favourites in 2018 including Gruen, Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Black Comedy and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018 in addition to new series from some of Australia’s best.
"Squinters stars Tim Minchin plus a stellar ensemble cast including Jacki Weaver. It follows five car-loads of Sydney commuters squinting into the sun and riffing on their days. Sando is a new family comedy that follows the trials of lovable larrikin Victoria ‘Sando’ Sandringham. Don Angel (Wayne Hope) returns in Back in Very Small Business. And Corey White’s Road Map to Paradise tackles the big issues of the day and aims to solve them — with a laugh or two — in 15 minutes."
David Anderson, ABC director of television said, "The ABC is committed to investing in great content for all Australians. We have a long and impressive history of entertaining Australians through iconic comedy and entertainment programs. Our announcement today reaffirms this commitment and underscores the ABC as a powerhouse of great Australian comedy into the future."
#ABCCOMEDY
ends