Expanded Reach for Comedy Central Asia

KUALA LUMPUR/MANILA: Viacom International Media Networks has secured expanded carriage for Comedy Central across Asia, inking new distribution agreements in Malaysia and the Philippines.

In Malaysia, the channel has rolled out on ASTRO’s B.yond IPTV with Maxis Home Fibre Internet package, while in the Philippines it’s now on SKYcable and Cignal Digital TV. Next month, Cablelink will begin carrying Comedy Central Asia. The channel, which launched in the region in November 2012, is now available across 15 platforms in nine markets: Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Mongolia and Thailand.

“To have Comedy Central Asia’s reach grow to nine markets within the first six months of operation demonstrates the strong demand for comedy and its world-class content is bound to win fans across all of them,” said Indra Suharjono, VIMN Asia’s executive VP and managing director. “Our research has shown that 7 out of 10 people see Comedy as a form of healthy escapism from the stresses of life, so it is no surprise why the channel is our fastest growing brand both globally and in Southeast Asia.”

In related news, MTV Live and Nick Jr. have been added to the lineups of SKYcable and Cablelink.