Warner opens Comedybox – Online comedy channel will showcase new talent

LONDON – Warner Music Entertainment, the video content division of Warner Music Intl., today announced the launch of Comedybox, a new online comedy channel.

Channel will bring together comedians from around the world, as well as offer a forum for auds to post their own user-generated content and be judged by John Lloyd, one of the brains behind popular UK laffers “Spitting Image,” “Blackadder,” and current BBC quiz show “QI.”

Lloyd will be credited as co-producer along with WME. Dan Schreiber, who previously worked with UK indie shingle RDF and the BBC, has been tapped as head of development.

“The site will appeal to a broad audience, ranging from comedy aficionados browsing the full spectrum of material, through to those who want to dip in for a quick humor fix as well as budding performers showcasing their talent,” said Patrick Vien, Warner Music Intl.’s chairman and CEO.

Comedybox will feature a mix of weekly skeins, one-off sketches and animation, as well as classic archive material. Among the shows already commissioned are “42,” a spoof of Fox’s spy skein “24,” and “QI News,” a weekly news show from the makers of “QI.”

The channel is set to launch in fall this year. A Wap version of the site for mobile phones is currently being developed which will give users access to all Comedybox content on demand.

Comedybox execs are in talks with leading UK shingles Baby Cow, Talkback and World of Wonder about developing future content for the channel.