America to get stand-up TV station

America is to get a TV channel dedicated to stand-up comedy.

Stand-Up TV will feature four hours of live stand-up every week, uninterrupted by adverts.

The 24-hour schedule, designed to target viewers over 30, will also feature vintage comedy re-runs and movies ­ although at least 60 per cent of its programming will be stand-up related.

It is being set up by two brothers who became dot.com millionaires on the back of an online share-dealership.

Joseph and Avi Fox founded Web Street Inc. in 1996 and sold it for $45 million in 2001.

The new channel is expected to launch in January, and will be based in Chicago, with studios in LA, Miami and Phoenix designed to resemble comedy clubs.

Joseph said: "Our advantage in creating superior original programming is based on the history of many great comedy shows having their roots in stand-up.

"There could be no better place from which to launch a national comedy channel than Chicago with its rich comedic heritage."

Stand-Up TV

Published: 27 Mar 2004