Bell Media Clinches Comedy Central Content for Canada

TORONTO: As part of a multiyear deal, Bell Media has picked up Comedy Central’s entire content library for multiplatform broadcast in Canada.

The agreement is an expansion of Bell Media’s 2007 agreement with Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). The new deal delivers exclusive rights for Comedy Central’s first-run original programming, as well as its extensive library of scripted and unscripted series and specials, including rights to international Comedy Central original productions for multiple platforms such as broadcast, digital, EST and SVOD. These rights will be exploited across Bell Media brands, among them The Comedy Network, Much and CraveTV.

As part of the agreement, Bell Media has retained rights for Comedy Central’s branded app, Comedy Central Play, which offers clips, full episodes and exclusive content from programming and stand-up specials. Included titles are The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, South Park, Inside Amy Schumer and Broad City.

“VIMN continues to be a valued partner for Bell Media, and we were thrilled to work with them to extend our relationship with Comedy Central,” said Tracey Pearce, the senior VP of specialty and pay at Bell Media. “Comedy Central sets the bar for relevant, sticky comedy content, and we’re happy to bring that to audiences via The Comedy Network, Much and CraveTV.”

“We’re very happy to continue supplying Comedy Central’s award-winning programming to Canada via our friends at Bell Media,” said David Bernath, the general manager of Comedy Central. “In the event there is a mass exodus this fall to north of the border, it is reassuring that American ex-pats will still have access to their favorite shows across a multitude of platforms.”

“We are very excited to finalize this deal with Bell Media, one of our long-term partners in delivering VIMN’s high-quality content in Canada,” said Pierluigi Gazzolo, the president of VIMN Americas. “We will now be able to further expand our presence in this important market and provide our audiences with even more ways to access Comedy Central’s renowned programming.”