Comedy Central Sets Up Digital Studio

NEW YORK: CC Studios is a new in-house creative initiative from Comedy Central that will focus on developing content, concepts and talent for digital platforms.

CC Studios aims to be a place where comedy and technology come together across multiple platforms, delivering original content that is for millennials. The studio will be embracing both established comedians, directors, writers and animators as well as new talents.

Allison Kingsley has been named VP of digital development for Comedy Central, with oversight for CC Studios and the development of original digital content. Kingsley and her CC Studios team are also responsible for developing and initiating branded-entertainment projects in collaboration with Comedy Central’s integrated marketing and sales teams.

Current projects include Couched, which sees host Ben Hoffman spending a weekend crashing in a house full of college guys; Bro-Dependent, featuring H. Michael Croner and Greg Worswick of the Groundlings comedy troupe; and Behind Amy Schumer, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the life of Amy Schumer as she creates and stars in her first TV series.

"Allison uses techy words I don’t understand, so I know she’s the right person for the job,” said Kent Alterman, the president of content development and original programming at Comedy Central. “Plus, as an added bonus, she has a great comedy sensibility."

"Allison not only gets the Comedy Central filter, but she is helping to expand it by developing content beyond video as well," added Erik Flannigan, the executive VP of digital media at Viacom Entertainment Group. "CC Studios talent will be playing with everything from animated GIFs to voice mail to comic strips."

“CC Studios is an outlet for veteran and upcoming comedians to develop and incubate their ideas for whichever platform best serves the content,” commented Kingsley. “We’re excited to launch a supportive environment where the talent community can be inspired by social media and technology to create the work they love.”