Latest news with #AComedyThing
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Channel 4 Launches Comedy YouTube Channel As Digital Boss Reveals Strategy Insight: 'The Show Starts At Minus 10 Seconds'
EXCLUSIVE: Having kickstarted the careers of David Mitchell, Chris Morris and Jamie Demetriou, Channel 4 is taking its rich comedy heritage to YouTube with the launch of a new channel. The Gogglebox network has expanded its YouTube strategy by rolling out A Comedy Thing, which will publish weekly long-form programming for YouTube plus content on TikTok and Instagram. The move is one of the biggest bets taken by Channel 4 having three years ago launched Channel 4.0, the network's digital first brand that is looking to supercharge YouTube per Channel 4's much-vaunted Fast Forward strategy. A Comedy Thing will live alongside Channel 4.0 as a separate channel. More from Deadline News UK Expands Original IP Ambitions With 14 Projects In Development Based On Its Archive Channel 4's Head Of Creative Diversity Exits Prince Harry, Paddington Bear & Keir Starmer Puppets Lined Up For 'Spitting Image: The Rest Is Bulls*!t' YouTube Series A Comedy Thing launches with a cast of seven up-and-coming comics who have emerged from YouTube and the UK stand-up circuit: Vittorio Angelone, Finlay Christie, Olga Koch, Gbemi Oladipo, Micky Overman, Mike Rice and Dan Tiernan. The comics will feature in social entertainment formats produced by Strong Watch Studios and commissioned by Charlie Hyland, with a 'play along element,' explained Sacha Khari, Channel 4's Head of Digital Commissioning. 'We are trying to make the formats feel very simple at the start because if they are too complex then they become abstract,' he added. 'The formats derive from what works well on YouTube but the big difference here is that we are combining the sensibilities of the [digital] talent with that kind of night where all you want to do is watch stand-up.' Khari went on to describe the shows as a 'YouTube proposition for modern audiences who are digital first but also love stand-up,' as he pointed out that around 30% of viewing to Channel 4.0 is on smart TVs rather than mobile phones, suiting an audience that craves long-form. 'If we talk about the stand-up crowd then a fair ambition is saying, 'What does the live version of these formats look like?',' he added. 'All the best creators now are selling out stadiums, they are getting people to purchase energy drinks, and buy t-shirts and hoodies.' He described the seven comics as a 'fresh and formidable lineup.' 'They have really leaned in to the importance of socials and understand that social isn't an enemy but can help and give us the opportunity to talk directly to our audience.' Some content will be clipped for Channel 4's Instagam and TikTok, a strategy that Khari said his team is 'agonizing' over to the same extent as YouTube, while a 'phase two ambition' for the comedy channel is to make podcasts and vodcasts. Khari's team has been in constant communication with Channel 4 comedy boss Charlie Perkins over the YouTube channel but Khari stressed that A Comedy Thing is first and foremost about YouTube, as he pointed out that popular collective The Sidemen made it big on the platform before switching their show Inside to Netflix. 'We are talking about cross departmental opportunities [with Charlie Perkins] but I think that what we have learned with Channel 4.0 is that if we saw this stuff as a nursery slope it's just going to fail,' added Khari. 'The Sidemen didn't immediately think their content had to fit on Netflix – they created something so successful that Netflix came calling.' Having said this, Channel 4 did pilot a 4.0 unscripted format recently, Tapped Out Prank Stars, which featured rapper ArrDee, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and JLS singer Aston Merrygold. Khari revealed this pilot was ordered after Tapped Out became one of the top five most-searched Channel 4 shows on YouTube. 'We couldn't just ignore that,' he added. although he noted that discussions are still taking place over a full series of Tapped Out Prank Stars. 'The Show Starts At Minus 10 Seconds' In less than three years, Channel 4.0 has amassed 2.5 million subscribers leading to more than one billion views, with 85% of the audience under the age of 34 – the target market, Khari said. According to Khari, it has taken Channel 4.0 less than half the time it took YouTube star Mr Beast to reach these numbers. 'The speed of growth has been startling yet we've never compromised on where we want to go,' he added. 'Our briefs have been massively consistent and we haven't really taken anything from outside of those briefs.' Khari's core strategy centers on what he describes as 'the show starts at minus 10 seconds.' In effect, this is a reference to Channel 4.0 videos finding ways to reach the top of audiences' YouTube feeds by hooking them in with a clicky thumbnail. Once they have clicked, they need to know they are viewing something of Channel 4 quality, Khari said. 'This is the interesting thing about behavioral commissioning,' he added. 'Our viewers need to stay until the end. If they do then it tells the algorithm that people from their demographic are interested in the types of show we are doing and that pushes them up the newsfeed.' Khari shouted out recently-departed Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon for understanding these challenges and manifesting a culture that placed YouTube front and center. 'She knew that YouTube is not the enemy but is a distribution platform,' he added. 'There are still loads of people coming to linear but what YouTube affords is the ability to transcend those remits, values and programmes worldwide. That is a new model.' Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery Solve the daily Crossword
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Channel 4's new digital channel A Comedy Thing to launch with four fresh shows
The new channel will be managed by Strong Watch Studios, which has produced the first episodes of The Split, The Front Row, Joke Swap, and The Lying Game for it. Charlie Hyland, digital commissioner at Channel 4, said: 'Channel 4 has always been at the forefront of fresh new comedy. The Lying Game is one of the comedies that will air on A Comedy Thing (Channel 4/PA) 'This new comedy channel is built on a deep understanding of what people love to watch online and where we want to be creatively. 'We're working with incredible talent, both on and off screen, to create a bold, diverse and brilliantly funny channel and our first shows are an eclectic array of comedy formats. 'From smart, quickfire jokes that grab attention, to longer-form, podcast-style shows where audiences feel part of the conversation, and classic panel shows that continue to resonate, we're genuinely excited about the range and quality of comedy this new channel will offer.' The Split will see comedians pair up to decipher what side of a binary line public participants will fall in, while The Front Row will see comedians compete for points by working with a studio audience to find out who they are through a Q&A game. Joke Swap will see comedians write jokes for ordinary people to deliver, testing whether comedy is all in the delivery, and The Lying Game will see comedians each tell an anecdote about the same randomly selected topic, with their task being to find which two of them are lying. The shows' casts will include comedians Vittorio Angelone, Finlay Christie, Olga Koch, Gbemi Oladipo, Micky Overman, Mike Rice and Dan Tiernan. Thom Gulseven, co-founder of Strong Watch Studios, said: 'We couldn't be happier to be working with Channel 4 and this group of super-talented comedians on this channel, it is a genuinely fresh, exciting approach to how content like this is made. 'We love where digital comedy is at the moment in the UK, and what we're doing is trying to reflect that brilliant place through a bunch of games that tap into the things that people love on different platforms. 'Part of the joy of the new way we make things is the freedom to respond to the audience, and how ideas evolve, change and grow over time; we're looking forward to seeing where this channel takes us.' The new channel comes after the debut of the broadcaster's food channel Channel 4 Served earlier this year. A Comedy Thing by Channel 4 will launch on Monday, July 21, on YouTube.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Channel 4's new digital channel A Comedy Thing to launch with four fresh shows
The new channel will be managed by Strong Watch Studios, which has produced the first episodes of The Split, The Front Row, Joke Swap, and The Lying Game for it. Charlie Hyland, digital commissioner at Channel 4, said: 'Channel 4 has always been at the forefront of fresh new comedy. The Lying Game is one of the comedies that will air on A Comedy Thing (Channel 4/PA) 'This new comedy channel is built on a deep understanding of what people love to watch online and where we want to be creatively. 'We're working with incredible talent, both on and off screen, to create a bold, diverse and brilliantly funny channel and our first shows are an eclectic array of comedy formats. 'From smart, quickfire jokes that grab attention, to longer-form, podcast-style shows where audiences feel part of the conversation, and classic panel shows that continue to resonate, we're genuinely excited about the range and quality of comedy this new channel will offer.' The Split will see comedians pair up to decipher what side of a binary line public participants will fall in, while The Front Row will see comedians compete for points by working with a studio audience to find out who they are through a Q&A game. Joke Swap will see comedians write jokes for ordinary people to deliver, testing whether comedy is all in the delivery, and The Lying Game will see comedians each tell an anecdote about the same randomly selected topic, with their task being to find which two of them are lying. The shows' casts will include comedians Vittorio Angelone, Finlay Christie, Olga Koch, Gbemi Oladipo, Micky Overman, Mike Rice and Dan Tiernan. Thom Gulseven, co-founder of Strong Watch Studios, said: 'We couldn't be happier to be working with Channel 4 and this group of super-talented comedians on this channel, it is a genuinely fresh, exciting approach to how content like this is made. 'We love where digital comedy is at the moment in the UK, and what we're doing is trying to reflect that brilliant place through a bunch of games that tap into the things that people love on different platforms. 'Part of the joy of the new way we make things is the freedom to respond to the audience, and how ideas evolve, change and grow over time; we're looking forward to seeing where this channel takes us.' The new channel comes after the debut of the broadcaster's food channel Channel 4 Served earlier this year. A Comedy Thing by Channel 4 will launch on Monday, July 21, on YouTube.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Channel 4's new digital channel A Comedy Thing to launch with four fresh shows
Charlie Hyland, digital commissioner at Channel 4, said: 'Channel 4 has always been at the forefront of fresh new comedy. The Lying Game is one of the comedies that will air on A Comedy Thing (Channel 4/PA) 'This new comedy channel is built on a deep understanding of what people love to watch online and where we want to be creatively. 'We're working with incredible talent, both on and off screen, to create a bold, diverse and brilliantly funny channel and our first shows are an eclectic array of comedy formats. 'From smart, quickfire jokes that grab attention, to longer-form, podcast-style shows where audiences feel part of the conversation, and classic panel shows that continue to resonate, we're genuinely excited about the range and quality of comedy this new channel will offer.' The Split will see comedians pair up to decipher what side of a binary line public participants will fall in, while The Front Row will see comedians compete for points by working with a studio audience to find out who they are through a Q&A game. Joke Swap will see comedians write jokes for ordinary people to deliver, testing whether comedy is all in the delivery, and The Lying Game will see comedians each tell an anecdote about the same randomly selected topic, with their task being to find which two of them are lying. The shows' casts will include comedians Vittorio Angelone, Finlay Christie, Olga Koch, Gbemi Oladipo, Micky Overman, Mike Rice and Dan Tiernan. Thom Gulseven, co-founder of Strong Watch Studios, said: 'We couldn't be happier to be working with Channel 4 and this group of super-talented comedians on this channel, it is a genuinely fresh, exciting approach to how content like this is made. 'We love where digital comedy is at the moment in the UK, and what we're doing is trying to reflect that brilliant place through a bunch of games that tap into the things that people love on different platforms. 'Part of the joy of the new way we make things is the freedom to respond to the audience, and how ideas evolve, change and grow over time; we're looking forward to seeing where this channel takes us.' The new channel comes after the debut of the broadcaster's food channel Channel 4 Served earlier this year. A Comedy Thing by Channel 4 will launch on Monday, July 21, on YouTube.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New free channel is launching in just DAYS with four fresh comedy shows – but you won't find it on your TV guide
The new channel will feature a number of brand new comedy shows ONE TO WATCH New free channel is launching in just DAYS with four fresh comedy shows – but you won't find it on your TV guide Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW free TV channel is launching in just a few days with four new comedy shows set to come with it. The new channel will be entirely digital so you wont be able to find it on your TV guide. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The new channel will only be available digitally Credit: Getty Channel 4 is launching the new digital only channel with the name A Comedy Thing. It is set to bring four new unscripted comedies along with it when it launches in just a few days time. The new channel will be managed by Strong Watch Studios. All four of the new comedies coming with the channel were produced by Strong Watch Studios. The first episodes of the new comedies The Split, The Front Row, Joke Swap and The Lying Game are due to air on the channel when it launches. A Comedy Thing is set to launch on YouTube on Monday, July 21. It comes after Channel 4 successfully launched a new food channel called Channel 4 Served earlier this year. Charlie Hyland, digital commissioner at Channel 4, said: "Channel 4 has always been at the forefront of fresh new comedy. "This new comedy channel is built on a deep understanding of what people love to watch online and where we want to be creatively. "We're working with incredible talent, both on and off screen, to create a bold, diverse and brilliantly funny channel and our first shows are an eclectic array of comedy formats. Police Crack Down on Illegal Sky Sports Streaming: Risks and Consequences "From smart, quickfire jokes that grab attention, to longer-form, podcast-style shows where audiences feel part of the conversation, and classic panel shows that continue to resonate, we're genuinely excited about the range and quality of comedy this new channel will offer." New show The Split will see comedians pair up to decipher what side of a binary line public participants will fall in. The Front Row will see comedians compete for points by working with a studio audience to find out who they are through a Q&A game. Joke Swap will test whether comedy is all in the delivery with comedians writing jokes for ordinary people to deliver. 2 Hand holding and pressing television remote while pointing straight ahead Credit: Getty The Lying Game will see comedians each tell an anecdote about the same randomly selected topic. They will then be tasked with finding out which two of them are lying. The shows' casts will include comedians Vittorio Angelone, Finlay Christie, Olga Koch, Gbemi Oladipo, Micky Overman, Mike Rice and Dan Tiernan. Thom Gulseven, co-founder of Strong Watch Studios, said: "We couldn't be happier to be working with Channel 4 and this group of super-talented comedians on this channel, it is a genuinely fresh, exciting approach to how content like this is made. "We love where digital comedy is at the moment in the UK, and what we're doing is trying to reflect that brilliant place through a bunch of games that tap into the things that people love on different platforms. "Part of the joy of the new way we make things is the freedom to respond to the audience, and how ideas evolve, change and grow over time; we're looking forward to seeing where this channel takes us."
