New home for Britcoms and home-grown talent

Australian state broadcaster ABC is to dedicate its second TV channel entirely to comedy.

The new ABC Comedy channel will be a home for British imports including the long-awaited  second series of Fleabag, Roisin Conaty’s Game Face, Catastrophe, Episodes and Murder in Successville.

And it will also showcase home-grown talent, including a new nightly topical show hosted by stand-up Tom Ballard, pictured, a nominee for the Edinburgh Comedy Award last year.

The 9pm show will be called Tonightly, sharing its name with the short-lived show that  aired in the UK in 2008 with Jason Manford in the chair.

Stand-up will also feature predominantly on the channel, including plant of output from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival such as the Gala, Opening Night Supershow and The Great Debate.

ABC director of television, David Anderson said: ‘We’re building on our strength, delivering great Australian comedy, helping to break new talent.’

The channel, formerly called ABC2, will air children’s programming until 7.30pm before handing over to the comedy.

Published: 27 Oct 2017