Starting with a show from JaackMaate

Comedy Central is to commission more short-form videos in a bid to grow its online traffic.

The broadcaster is partnering with existing social media stars for its first commission for the  new digital hub CC Shorts – The Jaack and Maates Show.

It is fronted by YouTube star JaackMaate, who has 320,000 Facebook fans, and will feature guest appearances from seven social media stars including Cian Twomey (3.4million Facebook fans) and Emma Blackery (1.1million YouTube subscribers).

The show is a tie-in with Fubar Radio, where JaackMaate already has a regular show.

Comedy Central has also signed a deal to distribute all the shorts films from  London comedy film festival LOCO  online

As part of its new push, the company has hired a new executive responsible for commissioning original films, Claire McArdle, as well as a team of six to produce topical content for its social channels, especially Snapchat Discover. 

Comedy Central UK managing director Jill Offman said: ‘The internet would be a desolate and dreary place without comedy. Our mission is to be always funny for our fans wherever, whenever and however they want to watch us.’

Published: 9 Jun 2016