Is 'Comedy Central' in danger of being discontinued?

[TMC1982]

The basic gist of this article is that Comedy Central in wake of recent Viacom-CBS merger, has laid off top executives while looking for cheaper, unscripted shows to produce. Meanwhile, Comedy Central's schedule has become heavy in reruns of South Park, The Office, and Parks and Recreations. It's a similar strategy that MTV has applied with marathons of Ridiculousness, Jersey Shore, and Catfish: The TV Show.

 

[KeldeoKitty]

I don’t think so. ATM it’s still one of Viacom’s most popular channels. I’m not a fan of Comedy Central or any Viacom channel anymore but the bulk of it’s programming is still comedy related. Besides they still have South Park which is still popular. Also the less said about MTV the better.

 

[LinusFan303]

I'd be surprised if they did. I don't really watch Comedy Central much (it's one of Viacom Channels I don't watch) but that's some brand equity they'd be throwing away if they did. As long as it doesn't end up a mess up like MTV has become.

 

[PF9]

While South Park has endured for years and will do so for years to come, I'm concerned that CC hasn't had another animated series last long enough to succeed it when it ends. South Park is currently CC's only animated show.

 

[TMC1982]

The "full" article from the New York Times:

The Viacom-CBS merger has led to cost-cutting and key staff departures that seem likely to hurt Comedy Central in the long run. "In the last six months, many of Comedy Central’s senior executives have been pushed out. In the last week of April, most of the network’s talent and development team was let go, too," reports John Koblin, adding: "In recent months the network has started to shift its focus away from scripted programs like Inside Amy Schumer and Broad City toward unscripted fare that was cheaper to produce, according to three people with knowledge of the strategy." Peter Principato, the chief executive of Artists First, whose clients include Awkwafina and Jordan Peele, says the cuts look misguided. “That makes it feel like the end of Comedy Central,” he said. Longtime Comedy Central president Kent Alterman's ouster last November was also seen as a major blow to the cable network after he had championed many of its biggest and most influential hits. “Kent was kind of the mentor and really the tastemaker there,” said Anthony Jeselnik, whose Comedy Central talk show Good Talk was canceled last month. As Koblin notes, roughly 20 people of a talent and development team consisting of 30 people were shown the door. “To take out two-thirds of a department without an exit strategy seemed a little abrupt,” said Principato. “And not very strategic.” ViacomCBS executives, however, feel the changes were necessary. “Merging organizations is a difficult process, and doing so within a global pandemic makes it more complicated,” said Chris McCarthy, who now heads ViacomCBS channels Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, TV Land and CMT, in a statement. “That said, it’s necessary to move from a cable-centric structure to a fully integrated organization with creative, cultural and commercial hits at the center of everything we do.”

 

[Peter Paltridge]

Not sure what they're thinking there; ALL comedy is scripted. Unless they're stretching the definition to include "funny" game shows.

 

[Nexonius]

Hm, if they're feeling unsure about Comedy Central then maybe WarnerMedia or some other company can take it.

 

[The Overlord]

Not sure what they're thinking there; ALL comedy is scripted. Unless they're stretching the definition to include "funny" game shows.

It could be something like ''Just For Laughs Gags'':

Just for Laughs Gags - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I don’t think so. ATM it’s still one of Viacom’s most popular channels. I’m not a fan of Comedy Central or any Viacom channel anymore but the bulk of it’s programming is still comedy related. Besides they still have South Park which is still popular. Also the less said about MTV the better.

The problem is a lot of the shows they are currently airing will be on streaming, South Park on HBO Max and the Office will soon air on Peacock.

Also, ViacomCBS seems to have problems and seems like a weak man among the other entertainment companies, so its no surprise Comedy Central is doing bad, most the Viacom channels are declining in ratings.

As the CBS–Viacom Merger Prepares to Close, a Laundry List of Problems

A questionable $100 million payout to CBS chief Joe Ianniello; continued wrangling with Les Moonves; falling stock prices. Can Shari Redstone fix things? “She’s starting to say some things like she cares,” says one observer.

www.vanityfair.com