Channel K, new TV production company set up to develop comedy shows from Manchester, launched today.

The company is a joint venture between production house Channel X, who made Shooting Stars, and Karushi Management.

Comedian Matt Tiller will be the station’s director of programmes, while Gus Bousfield, who produced the recent Channel 4 Comedy Lab practical joke show I’m Spazticus, is head of development.

The pair have scripted comedy ideas, entertainment and factual ideas in development. New comedian Emma Fryer, a 2005 finalist in both the Funny Women and So You think You’re Funny competitions, has also been signed to its management division.

The company  has been set up with the help of money from North West Vision, the BBC and Channel 4, aimed at developing more TV production  away from London.

Channel X's Jim Reid said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to work in a region that is a hotbed of comedy talent.’