List Comedies By Channel

At the top of this page is a list of the main TV and radio stations broadcasting new British comedy. Below that is a list of other channels. Click on any channel to find out more about that station and to obtain a list of the new comedies it has commissioned...

	BBC One The BBC puts its most mainstream and highest rated comedies on its flagship channel; many of the shows are sitcoms and panel shows suitable for the whole family. Friday night between 8:30pm and 10pm is normally where you can find shows.
	BBC Two BBC Two is the British Broadcasting Corporation's second major terrestrial television channel. It aims to deliver intelligent yet popular comedy shows and, as a result, its programmes tend to be a bit more quirky and 'cult' than those on BBC One.
	BBC Three BBC Three is the BBC's youth channel, available via digital platforms including Freeview. Much of the channel's comedy is aimed at the 25 to 34-year-old age group, and a number are quite experimental in nature. BBC Three is now often used as a test bed for nurturing hit comedies for BBC Two and BBC One.
	BBC Four BBC Four exists to provide alternatives to programmes on mainstream TV and thus the comedies found on this channel tend to be quite niche in scope. With a highbrow focus on arts and factual series, the channel does not have much room for comedy - however, so far, the channel has a very high 'hit rate'.
	ITV1 This channel has had considerable success with British comedy in the past but it has struggled to create popular comedy for the new generation. Harry Hill's TV Burp and Benidorm are recent successes. It is now looking to pilot more comedies.
	ITV2 ITV2 is targeted at a youthful mainstream audience. Its shows tend to be quite cheaply made, and go for the most obvious jokes. Celebrity Juice is this channel's current big hit.
	Channel 4 Since 1982 Channel 4 has been investing in cult sitcoms and cutting edge comedy projects. As a result, it has broadcast many of the darker and more controversial comedies on our list, like Nathan Barley and Brass Eye. Over the years C4 has created a number of hit sitcoms - these include Father Ted and Spaced. C4 also delivers some mainstream commissioning too, like 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
	E4 E4, which launched in 2001, has commissioned a few British comedy shows each year since then. It is also the place for Channel 4 to pilot new idea - two big hits to come from this channel are Fonejacker and The Inbetweeners.
	Sky1 Until 2011, Sky hardly featured on our website as the satellite channel didn't bother with British comedy. However, the station is now investing multi-millions in home-grown formats, and already has a number of hits on its hands.
	Dave Primarily a digital repeats channel where you can find back-to-back comedy, Dave does sometimes commission its own shows. Notable home-grown formats include Argumental and Dave's One Night Stand. The channel is also bringing back Red Dwarf.
	CBBC Channel A digital station for kids. It produces a number of comedy shows for young people... including the smash hit sketch show Horrible Histories.
	BBC Radio 4 Radio 4 has launched hundreds of audio comedy shows. Popular comedies on the station include The News Quiz and Just A Minute. Many famous TV comedies actually started life in audio form on Radio 4 - Dead Ringers and Little Britain are just two of the many R4 series that went on to become TV hits.
	BBC Radio 2 Radio 2 used to broadcast an hour of new comedy every Saturday evening, particularly stand-up comedy. However, since 2012 budget cuts mean it can only occasionally now put on new shows.
	BBC Radio 4 Extra Digital station Radio 4 Extra, which came out of the ashes of Radio 7, broadcasts archive radio repeats, premieres some Radio 4 comedy in advance, and has its own programming - including comedy magazine format What's So Funny? and sketch show Newsjack.

Other Channels

Here are some more minor channels which you will find comedy on from time to time...

• 5*
• BBC Asian Network
• BBC HD
• BBC Local Radio
• BBC One HD
• BBC One Scotland
• BBC One Wales
• BBC Radio 1
• BBC Radio 3
• BBC Radio 5 Live
• BBC Radio Scotland
• BBC Radio Wales
• BBC Two Scotland
• BBC Two Wales
• BBC World Service
• Blighty
• CBeebies
• Channel 5
• Channel One
• Comedy Central
• Comedy Central Extra
• Controversial TV
• Disney Channel
• Film4
• FX
• GOLD
• ITV3
• ITV4
• More4
• MTV
• Nickelodeon
• Sky Arts 1
• Sky Arts 2
• Sky Atlantic
• Sky Living
• Star One UK
• Watch
• Yesterday

The following channels used to broadcast comedy too, but are no longer operating...

• BBC Choice
• BBC Home Service
• BBC Light Programme
• BBC National Programme
• BBC Radio 5 (Old)
• BBC Radio 7
• BBC Regional Programme
• Galaxy
• Play UK

List Comedy By Network

For another way of looking at the above lists, you can view by network (e.g. see all the BBC's channels together)...

• BBC
• ITV
• Channel 4
• Channel 5
• UKTV
• BSkyB