Note: This is an altered version of the real world, Forum Post: Viacom Owned Channels in the UK? (October 2005)
User1:
Subject: List of Viacom owned channels in the UK?
Hey everyone!

I’ve been trying to gather some info on the channels that Viacom owns in the UK. I know there are a few, but I can’t seem to find a comprehensive list anywhere. Can anyone help me out? Would love to know which channels are under Viacom's umbrella!

Thanks!

User1
User2:
Subject: Re: List of Viacom owned channels in the UK?
Hey User1!

I did a bit of digging and here’s a list of the Viacom owned channels in the UK as of now (October 2005):

MTV (UK)
MTV Hits
MTV Base
MTV Dance
TMF
Viva
Paramount Comedy
Nickelodeon
Nicktoons
Nick Jr
Paramount Comedy 2
Spike TV
BET (British Entertainment Television)
Five
Five+1
Five US
Five Life
Great! Movies
Great! TV
I hope this helps! Let me know if you need more information about any of these channels. Viacom has a pretty big footprint in the UK!

Cheers,

User2
User1:
Subject: Re: List of Viacom owned channels in the UK?
Wow, thanks so much, User2! This is exactly what I was looking for.

I had no idea Viacom owned so many channels! I appreciate the info. I might check out some of the less well-known ones like Five US and Great! Movies.

Thanks again!

User1
User3:
Subject: Re: List of Viacom owned channels in the UK?
Just to add on, it’s interesting to see how Viacom is diversifying with channels like Great! TV. They are always expanding. I wonder what they'll acquire next!

User3
User2:
Subject: Re: List of Viacom owned channels in the UK?
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how they keep adding more and more channels, especially in niche markets. It keeps things interesting in the viewing landscape!

If anyone else has thoughts or info about future developments, let’s keep the discussion going!

User2
User1:
Subject: Re: List of Viacom owned channels in the UK?
Definitely! I’ll keep an eye on this and see if anything new pops up. Thanks again everyone!

Also Paramount Comedy recently got a new look

Whimsical Overhaul for Paramount Comedy Channel: A New Era Begins September 19, 2005

August 22, 2005 — London

In a delightful twist that promises to inject some humor into your television viewing experience, the Paramount Comedy Channel is set to embark on a fresh journey. As of September 19, 2005, the channel will drop “Channel” from its name, transforming into simply “Paramount Comedy.” Alongside this rebranding, viewers can expect a whimsical new look, thanks to the innovative animation talents of London-based studio 12Foot6.

Established in 1999 by the creative duo Dave Anderson and Tom Mortimer, 12Foot6 is renowned for its unique blend of 2D and stop-motion animation. The team of around twenty animators, illustrators, and designers draws inspiration from their vibrant London surroundings, celebrating the humor and eccentricities of urban life. Known for their distinctively comical approach, 12Foot6 has previously collaborated on projects like the BAFTA-nominated series The Sensibles and the quirky Dog Judo.

The rebranding of Paramount Comedy promises to introduce a slew of animated antics, including a host of endearing and bizarre characters like animated black rabbits with pink eyes, medieval characters worshipping the logo, and even a dolphin on a skateboard! Promotional endboards will feature a uniquely whimsical character, affectionately dubbed the "weird cat thing,” who will entertain viewers while delivering previews for upcoming shows. This character is a animated cat with a TV instead of a face.

This fresh visual identity is just one piece of a broader initiative by Viacom to revamp not only Paramount Comedy but also seven other channels in the UK. As viewers tune in, they will discover a renewed commitment to showcasing comedic content that reflects both the clever artistry and humorous narratives that have defined Paramount Comedy's ethos.

In a statement, Anderson and Mortimer expressed their excitement about this new adventure, saying, “We’re thrilled to bring our quirky sense of humor to Paramount Comedy. Expect the unexpected as we infuse the channel with our imagination and creativity!”

As September 19 approaches, fans of comedy can look forward to a launch that promises to be as amusing as it is engaging. The rebranding marks an exciting chapter in Paramount Comedy’s history, solidifying its commitment to delivering uproarious entertainment to audiences across the UK.

So, mark your calendars, and get ready for Paramount Comedy’s whimsical transformation—your favorite comedies are about to get a delightful makeover!
Alongside Paramount Comedy, 7 other Viacom-owned channels in the UK are set for a rebrand soon! Stay tuned for fresh looks from MTV, Nickelodeon, TMF, BET, VH1, Five, and Spike! Let the whimsy begin! 🌟 #ViacomRebrand #NewLooks #StayTuned

User1. Write a conversation on Nov 23 2005 where on Jan 23 2006, 3 Viacom channels are debuting on Freeview for the first time EVER, also improved Freeview quality for the Five channels, Also one of those 3 joining was inevitable

Forum Post: Exciting News for Viacom Channels on Freeview! (November 23, 2005)

User1:
Subject: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Hey everyone!

I just heard some fantastic news – starting January 23, 2006, three Viacom channels are set to debut on Freeview for the first time EVER! I can’t believe it! Anyone else as excited as I am?

User2:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Hey User1!

This is amazing news! Do we know which channels are making the leap to Freeview? I can only imagine how awesome it will be to have more Viacom content available to view without a subscription.

User3:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
That’s super exciting! I bet one of those channels has to be Nickelodeon, right? It’s such a popular brand, it seems inevitable that they’d want to reach a larger audience. But is there any other news on the specific channels?

User1:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Yes, that’s what I was thinking too! Nickelodeon makes perfect sense. I hope it’s true! There’s also talk of improved Freeview quality for the Five channels as part of this update, which is just the cherry on top!

User2:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Wow, improved quality for Five is definitely a big deal! It’s great to see Viacom investing in their channels. If Nickelodeon joins along with other channels like MTV Hits and maybe even BET, it’ll be a game changer for Freeview.

User3:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
I agree! Having MTV Hits or MTV Base would be such a welcome addition to Freeview too! More variety means more options for everyone. I really hope they focus on diversifying their offerings across the Freeview platform.

User1:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Exactly! The more options, the better. I’m definitely looking forward to January 23rd. I’ll be watching out for any announcements regarding channel line-ups. If anyone hears anything more specific, please share!

User2:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
For sure! This will be a fantastic development for viewers. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Let’s keep the conversation going and stay updated!

User3:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Absolutely! Exciting times ahead for Viacom and Freeview audiences. Here’s hoping for even more surprises as we get closer to January!

User1:
Subject: Re: Viacom Channels Coming to Freeview!
Totally! Thanks for the great discussion, everyone! Can’t wait to see how these developments will shape our TV viewing experience!

Discussion Continues on January 9, 2006:

User1:
Subject: Official Announcement of Viacom Channels on Freeview!
Hey everyone!

I just read the official announcement! It’s confirmed – Nickelodeon, MTV Hits, and Paramount Comedy are the three channels debuting on Freeview on January 23, 2006!

User2:
Subject: Re: Official Announcement of Viacom Channels on Freeview!
That’s awesome, User1! I’m thrilled about Paramount Comedy joining too. Such a great mix of entertainment!

User3:
Subject: Re: Official Announcement of Viacom Channels on Freeview!
I can’t wait! It looks like they’re really aiming to cater to a broad audience with this lineup. So hyped for the improved quality on Five as well!

User1:
Subject: Re: Official Announcement of Viacom Channels on Freeview!
Same here! This is going to transform my viewing habits. January 23rd can’t come soon enough! Write a conversation where actually on Dec 27 2005 one of those 3 began a very big campaign to let people know it's coming to Freeview, including radio ads, cinema ads, constant ads on Five, Five Life, Five US and TMF, outdoor ads, magazine ads and shopping centre ads,

Forum Post: Major Campaign for Viacom Channels on Freeview! (December 27, 2005)

User1:
Subject: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!

Hey everyone,

I just spotted some buzzing news! Nickelodeon is kicking off a massive campaign to promote its upcoming launch on Freeview! It looks like they're leaving no stone unturned with this effort. I'm so excited to see how they spread the word!

User2:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
Wow, that’s incredible, User1! What kind of ads are they running?

User1:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
They're going all out! I’ve heard they have radio ads playing, and there will be cinema ads too. They’re even doing constant ads on channels like Five, Five Life, Five US, and TMF! It seems like they really want to make sure everyone knows Nickelodeon is coming to Freeview.

User3:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
That sounds epic! Outdoor ads and magazine ads will definitely help reach a broader audience. Plus, shopping centre ads could catch the attention of families, which is crucial for a channel like Nickelodeon!

User2:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
I love that they’re investing in such a big advertising push. Nickelodeon is all about fun for kids, so having a playful and eye-catching campaign will draw in viewers. I can’t wait to see what the ads look like!

User1:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
Exactly! I feel like they’re trying to create a real buzz around the launch to capture the excitement of potential viewers. It makes me even more eager for January 23rd!

User3:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
And it’s great that they’re using a variety of platforms to reach different audiences. It really shows how committed they are to making this a successful launch. Do we know if there will be any special launch events or promos?

User2:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
Not yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they have some fun surprises lined up! Maybe some contests or giveaways to celebrate the big day? They definitely have the potential to make it a memorable occasion.

User1:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
That would be awesome! I’ll keep an eye out for any announcements. Hopefully, closer to the launch date, we get more details. Such an exciting time for everyone who enjoys Nickelodeon and Freeview!

User3:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
Definitely! This is such a transformative time for Freeview with these Viacom channels coming onboard. Fingers crossed for more exciting news as we approach the launch!

User2:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
Absolutely! Let’s keep each other updated on any new information or ad sightings. Can’t wait for the fantastic content to hit our screens!

User1:
Subject: Re: Nickelodeon's Massive Campaign for Freeview Launch!
Will do! Thanks for the great chat, everyone. Here’s to an exciting few weeks ahead! 🎉

News Article: Five Unveils New Emotion-Themed Idents as Part of Upcoming Rebrand

London, January 20, 2006 — In an exciting announcement ahead of its highly anticipated rebranding, Five has revealed a fresh set of idents set to debut on Monday, January 23, at 10 PM. The new idents, each themed around various emotions, aim to connect with viewers on a deeper level, bringing an innovative shift to the channel's visual identity.

Rather than featuring the classic logo, the idents will showcase emotive words such as "Fast," "Fear," "Free," and "Hope," creatively depicted in striking scenarios. This refresh comes just in time as Five gears up for the launch of three new Viacom channels on Freeview: Nickelodeon, MTV Hits, and Paramount Comedy, reinforcing the channel's commitment to enhancing viewer engagement.

The emotive themes introduced in the idents include:

Fast: A thrilling pursuit unfolds as greyhound dogs race after the word "Fast" along a vibrant track, capturing the essence of speed and excitement.
Fear: The haunting ambiance of a long corridor emerges as someone opens a door, with the word "Fear" eerily formed by a collection of spirits, invoking a sense of suspense.
Free: In a serene blue sky, numerous white balloons are released, creating a whimsical and uplifting moment as they spell out "Free," representing liberation and joy.
Hope: The scene shifts to a bustling casino where a player throws two dice, ultimately landing on the word "Hope," while vibrant casino chips signal the promise of chance and opportunity.
Life: A sweeping view reveals a horizon as lights switch on, reflecting the concept of "Life" coming alive through illumination.
Live: A dramatic weather scene unfolds as lightning strikes from the sky, generating the word "Live" in a bold flash of energy, symbolizing dynamic experiences.
Rush: An adrenaline-pumping visual of a skydiver plummeting towards the earth introduces the word "Rush," encapsulating the thrill of adventure.
Easy: A gentle zoom out reveals a peaceful park scene where a ladybird serves as a conduit to showcase "Easy," portraying relaxation and comfort.
Feel: In a warm family setting, a car drives through picturesque countryside, with the word "Feel" appearing amid the clouds, conveying warmth and connection.
Play: A fun-filled pool scene comes to life as someone dives in, while others are playfully pushed off an inflatable, showcasing the spontaneous joy of "Play."
Risk: An energetic display of a person on a bucking horse captures the spirit of "Risk," reminding viewers of the excitement of stepping into the unknown.
The new idents are just one of many rebrands that Viacom's UK channels have undergone over the past year, reflecting their strategic initiative to modernize and elevate their brand presence within a competitive market. This comprehensive rebranding effort aims not only to draw in new viewers but also to resonate with existing audiences, showcasing an array of emotions that viewers can relate to.

As January 23 approaches, it is clear that Five is making significant strides in engaging its audience through creative expression. The channel's new identities promise to enhance the viewer experience and set the stage for what’s to come with the release of Nickelodeon, MTV Hits, and Paramount Comedy on Freeview. Stay tuned for a fresh wave of content and an exciting visual journey that is bound to capture hearts and imaginations alike.

Forum Post: A Bold Move for Five's Rebrand! (January 21, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

Hey everyone!

I’ve been thinking about Five's rebranding with the new emotion-themed idents debuting on January 23rd. It’s really bold of them to drop the classic logo at the start! They could have easily included it, but I guess they’re feeling very brave with this decision. What do you all think? Why choose that specific date for the rebrand?

User2:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

Hey User1!

You’re right, it’s definitely a bold move to go all out with a new identity instead of incorporating the familiar logo. I think they may be aiming for a complete refresh, especially with the launch of Nickelodeon, MTV Hits, and Paramount Comedy on Freeview on the same day. It’s like they're trying to create a whole new vibe for the channel!

User3:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

Absolutely! The timing seems strategic. By launching the new idents alongside the debut of the three Viacom channels, Five can really capture viewer attention and potentially attract a larger audience. It’s a chance to signal change and excitement all at once!

User1:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

That’s a great point! They’re trying to grab viewers' attention during a significant change in their lineup. But I’m curious why they decided to go with this specific date. Is there something special about January 23rd that we don’t know about?

User2:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

Hmm, I wonder if they wanted to create a strong association between the new idents and the launch of the new Viacom channels. It could be a way to ensure that viewers remember this date as a fresh start for Five and its programming. It’s like they’re setting the stage for a broader narrative!

User3:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

That makes sense! Plus, aligning it with a simultaneous channel launch gives them a greater marketing impact. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone—maximizing exposure for both the rebrand and the new channels. They want everyone to take notice and tune in!

User1:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

Totally! This strategy could definitely pay off. I’m curious to see how viewers react to the new idents and channel lineup. It’s an exciting time for Five and all the Viacom channels making their Freeview debut!

User2:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

For sure! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds next week. With all the buzz and the fresh identity, I think they might just succeed in capturing the audience’s attention. Here’s to hoping for a successful launch!

User3:
Subject: Re: Why Rebrand on the 23rd?

Agreed! Let’s keep this conversation going as we approach January 23rd. It’s going to be an exciting moment for all of us TV lovers! 🎉

Write a follow up where a user says "Sorry just thought Id sign up to put forward the possibility that perhaps Five's owners Viacom are diluting the brand in preparation for a name change? Seems rather odd that they would do away with the logo entirely, and I wouldnae be surprised if in a few months suddenly a CBS logo styled in the font of Five appeared.", One user shuts this down saying the logo is still very much present as a screenbug and also on promos

Forum Post: Speculations on Five's Rebranding (January 22, 2006)

User4:
Subject: Possibility of a Name Change for Five?

Hey folks,

Sorry for jumping in here, but I thought I’d sign up to put forward the possibility that perhaps Five’s owners, Viacom, are diluting the brand in preparation for a name change? It seems rather odd that they would do away with the logo entirely for the new idents. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few months we suddenly see a CBS logo styled in the font of Five appear. Just a thought!

User2:
Subject: Re: Possibility of a Name Change for Five?

Hey User4,

I get where you’re coming from, but I think that’s a bit far-fetched. While they are introducing new idents, the Five logo is still very much present. If you look closely, it appears as a screenbug on the corner during shows and on their promotional materials. They’re not trying to erase the brand; instead, they’re enhancing it!

User3:
Subject: Re: Possibility of a Name Change for Five?

Exactly, User2! The Five logo being used as a screenbug shows they’re still proud of the brand. This rebranding seems more like a creative refresh rather than a prelude to a name change. They’re just exploring new ways to engage viewers and keep the content feeling fresh while still retaining that brand recognition.

User4:
Subject: Re: Possibility of a Name Change for Five?

You both have valid points! I just think it’s interesting how they’re handling the visual identity right now. It’s a big shift, and shifts like these can sometimes lead to bigger changes down the line. But I do appreciate the clarification about the logo still being around in other forms!

User2:
Subject: Re: Possibility of a Name Change for Five?

No worries, User4! It’s always good to consider different perspectives. I just feel that given their investment in promoting Five alongside the new Viacom channels, a name change seems unlikely for now. Let’s see how it all pans out after the launch!

User3:
Subject: Re: Possibility of a Name Change for Five?

Absolutely! It’ll be interesting to witness the audience reaction post-launch. Whatever happens, I’m excited for what’s to come on January 23rd. Here’s to new beginnings for Five! 🎉Write a follow up where at 10pm every monday is Prison Break, Other dramas airing at this time are CSI, CSI Miami, House, Grey's Anatomy, Breaking Bad and CSI: NY, There are even promos airing with characters saying "This much I know"

Forum Post: Monday Night Drama Lineup on Five (January 25, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Exciting Monday Night Lineup on Five!

Hey everyone!

Now that the Freeview channels have launched, I’m thrilled to see what Five has lined up for Monday nights! At 10 PM every Monday, they’ll air Prison Break, which should provide some serious thrills. I heard it’ll be going head-to-head with intense dramas like CSI, CSI: Miami, House, Grey’s Anatomy, Breaking Bad, and CSI: NY.

It’s definitely shaping up to be a competitive viewing night! Have you all seen the promos yet? The characters keep repeating this catchy phrase: “This much I know.” It’s intriguing!

User2:
Subject: Re: Exciting Monday Night Lineup on Five!

Hey User1!

Yes, I’ve noticed those promos! It’s a clever campaign to build interest and suspense around the shows. The tagline “This much I know” really draws you in and makes you curious about what’s happening in each episode. It’s great marketing on Five’s part!

I’m especially excited for Prison Break! It’s created quite a buzz and has been praised for its fast-paced storytelling. It’ll be interesting to see how it competes against heavyweights like House and Grey’s Anatomy, which have loyal followings.

User3:
Subject: Re: Exciting Monday Night Lineup on Five!

Absolutely! Monday nights just got a major upgrade! When you think about it, airing Prison Break alongside these other powerhouses is a bold move. I can totally see it attracting viewers who are already invested in those other series.

I'm also looking forward to Breaking Bad—it seems to have garnered a lot of attention recently. The varied lineup means there’ll be something for everyone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Prison Break draws in a crowd with its thrilling plot.

User4:
Subject: Re: Exciting Monday Night Lineup on Five!

Hey everyone!

I agree with you all! Monday nights are going to be a drama lover's paradise. Those promos with the phrase “This much I know” create a sense of mystery that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats!

As for Prison Break, I think it has the potential to really stand out, especially if they keep up the promotional momentum. It’s going to be interesting to see how audience ratings shift once the show begins airing. Do you all think Prison Break can hold its own against such strong competition?

User1:
Subject: Re: Exciting Monday Night Lineup on Five!

Great question, User4! I think it definitely can! If the early reports and buzz around the show hold true, there’s a solid chance that Prison Break can carve out its own space in that prime-time slot. Plus, with the ongoing intrigue from its premise, I bet many viewers will turn into loyal fans.

Here’s hoping for great ratings and an enjoyable viewing experience! Let’s tune in together and see how it unfolds!

User2:
Subject: Re: Exciting Monday Night Lineup on Five!

For sure! Let’s keep the conversation going as the episodes progress. I’m excited to see how each show does and discuss the twists and turns that they unfold. Monday nights are going to be epic!

Write a tweet with every show that has 10pm, and which days, and what day this arrangement starts

🚨📺 Exciting Monday Night Drama Alert! Starting January 23rd, tune in at 10 PM for a thrilling lineup on Five:

✨ Monday:
Prison Break

✨ Tuesday:
CSI

✨ Wednesday:
CSI: Miami

✨ Thursday:
House

✨ Friday:
Grey's Anatomy

✨ Saturday:
Breaking Bad

✨ Sunday:
CSI: NY
Get ready for some serious binge-worthy content! 🍿 #DramaNight #FiveTV #MustWatch

🚨🌟 Big News for Five! 🌟 Get ready for two brand new dramas joining the lineup:

1️⃣ Prison Break - Dive into the suspenseful world of escape starting January 23rd!
2️⃣ Breaking Bad - Experience the transformation of a high school teacher into a drug kingpin, premiering soon!

Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on the action! 🍿 #PrisonBreak #BreakingBad #FiveTV #MustWatch

Forum Post: Curious About Paramount Comedy's Branding? (February 5, 2006)

User1:
Subject: What Does Paramount Comedy's Branding Look Like Now?

Hey everyone!

With all the exciting changes happening at Five and the arrival of Paramount Comedy on Freeview, I’m really curious about how Paramount Comedy has branded itself after the rebranding efforts. Has anyone seen their new look? I heard it underwent a whimsical transformation, but I’d love to get more details on what it actually looks like!

Is it colorful and playful? How do they incorporate humor into their visuals? I’m eager to see how they've updated their logo and overall aesthetic!

User2:
Subject: Re: What Does Paramount Comedy's Branding Look Like Now?

Hey User1!

Great question! From what I've seen, Paramount Comedy’s rebranding is indeed vibrant and fun! They’ve introduced a lot of bright colors and playful animations that really capture the essence of the humor they’re known for. The new logo drops “Channel” from the title, so it’s just "Paramount Comedy" now, which feels more modern and direct.

The branding includes animated characters that embody the quirky humor of the shows they feature. It definitely gives a lighthearted impression, perfect for attracting comedy fans!

User3:
Subject: Re: What Does Paramount Comedy's Branding Look Like Now?

Absolutely! The whimsical elements are fantastic! I noticed that the promotional material features all sorts of fun characters and animated clips that preview upcoming shows. It's a clever way to engage viewers and get them excited about the content. They seem to have nailed the comedic vibe with this refresh!

User1:
Subject: Re: What Does Paramount Comedy's Branding Look Like Now?

That sounds amazing! I love that they are incorporating animation and humor into their branding. It seems like they’re really committing to the essence of what Paramount Comedy represents. Can’t wait to see it all in action when it premieres on Freeview! If anyone has any visuals or screenshots, please share!

User2:
Subject: Re: What Does Paramount Comedy's Branding Look Like Now?

I’ll keep an eye out for more promos and images! It’s such an exciting time for Paramount Comedy, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they connect with audiences in this new light. Let’s keep chatting about it as we get closer to the launch!

Write a follow up dexcribing it in full, one funny bumper, and that weird mascot they've had for a few months now

Forum Post: Paramount Comedy's New Look and Quirky Mascot! (February 10, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Paramount Comedy's New Look and Quirky Mascot!

Hey everyone!

I just got a look at Paramount Comedy's new branding, and I have to say, it’s fantastic! The channel has fully embraced a colorful, playful aesthetic that really shines through in their promotional material. The logo now prominently features “Paramount Comedy” in bold, fun typography, brightening up the screen with vibrant colors like yellows, pinks, and greens. It immediately sets a lighthearted tone, perfect for the type of content they showcase.

One of the funniest bumpers I saw had an animated character—a zany yellow duck wearing oversized glasses—who quacked out some hilarious one-liners about being “quacktastic” while introducing a comedy block. The bumper featured whimsical backgrounds, like a cartoonish cityscape where the duck was hopping from cloud to cloud, all while throwing rubber chickens. It's totally absurd and captures the essence of their comedy offerings perfectly!

And then there's that weird mascot they've been using for a few months now—the “Weird Cat Thing.” I can’t get enough of this quirky character, who has a television set for a head! The screen displays different funny expressions depending on the content being shown. It's adorable and bizarre at the same time, often popping up in various promotional clips, wagging its tail while humorously announcing what’s on next. The combination of the cat’s antics and its offbeat design adds a delightful and unpredictable twist to their branding.

Overall, the new identity of Paramount Comedy is vibrant, fresh, and hilariously entertaining! They’re definitely making a big splash, and I can't wait to see how the audience reacts once the channel fully launches on Freeview. If anyone has spotted any more bumps or promos, feel free to share!

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's New Look and Quirky Mascot!

That sounds incredible, User1! I love the idea of the duck bumper; that would definitely make me chuckle! And the Weird Cat Thing is just the kind of quirky spirit that fits a comedy channel. I can't wait to dive into all this fun content when it's officially available. Let’s keep an eye out for more of these promos as the launch date gets closer! 🐱‍👓

forum post: Final Days of Family Affairs on Five (December 24, 2005)

User1:
Subject: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Hey everyone!

I can’t believe it! There's only a week left until the final episode of Family Affairs on Five, airing on December 30th. What a run it’s had! Any thoughts on how the series has evolved over the years? I’m curious to hear everyone's favorites!

User2:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Hi User1!

I know, it’s such a bittersweet moment! Family Affairs was one of those shows that really connected with viewers, and it’s hard to see it go. I think I really enjoyed the character development over the years, especially how they tackled real-life issues. I’m hoping the final episode will be a proper send-off!

User3:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Definitely! They’ve built so much drama that it’s bound to be an emotional finale. I just hope they wrap up the storylines in a satisfying way. Also, speaking of endings, how long are those BBC Digital Radio ads going to keep running? They seem to be everywhere lately!

User4:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Hey User3!

I’ve heard that Five will be done with the BBC Digital Radio ads on December 31st. After that, they’ll start running ads for Nickelodeon, MTV Hits, and Paramount Comedy as they gear up for their Freeview launch. It’s going to be a big shift!

User1:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Wow, that’s exciting news! I can't wait to see the new ads popping up. Having more Viacom channel promotions will be interesting, especially since it signifies all the changes happening in January. I think it’ll create quite the buzz around the new content!

User2:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

For sure! It feels like Five is getting ready for a completely new chapter. I’m looking forward to the variety we’ll see with the new channels. But still, a part of me will miss Family Affairs. It had such a cozy, familiar vibe.

User3:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

I feel you! It’s great to look forward to new programming, but shows like Family Affairs make an impact. Still, I have high hopes for the new Viacom channels. Here’s to new beginnings after the finale!

User4:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Absolutely! Let’s enjoy the final episode and then dive headfirst into the new offerings in January! Cheers to change! 🎉

User1:
Subject: Re: Countdown to the Final Episode of Family Affairs!

Definitely! Here’s hoping for a satisfying ending for Family Affairs, and then bring on the new adventures with Viacom’s lineup! Let’s keep the conversation going as we approach the finale!

Forum Post: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale? (January 1, 2006)

User1:
Subject: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

Hey everyone!

Now that the final episode of Family Affairs has aired, I’m really curious—what show was promoted immediately after the finale? It’s always interesting to see what’s next on the network’s agenda. Did anyone catch it?

User2:
Subject: Re: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

Hi User1!

Yes! After the emotional conclusion of Family Affairs, they ran a big promo for Prison Break! I think it’s a great choice since it’s such a gripping show. They really want to capitalize on the buzz and excitement leading into its premiere.

User3:
Subject: Re: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

That makes sense! Prison Break definitely fits the bill for a dramatic follow-up. Did the promo give any hints about what viewers can expect from the first episode?

User2:
Subject: Re: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

It sure did! The promo featured snippets of the main character's escape plan and some tense moments with the authorities closing in. It really built up the suspense! The tagline “Every second counts” flashed on the screen, which really hooks you into wanting to watch!

User4:
Subject: Re: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

Sounds amazing! I can see why they’d want to transition from a long-running show like Family Affairs directly into something as suspenseful as Prison Break. It’s the perfect way to keep viewers engaged and excited about the channel's new direction!

User1:
Subject: Re: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

Absolutely! I love how they’re trying to keep the energy high with such a dramatic shift. It really indicates a new era for Five. I can’t wait to see how audiences respond to the new content. Let’s keep an eye out for more promos as the schedule progresses!

User2:
Subject: Re: What Show Was Promoted After the Family Affairs Finale?

Definitely! This is going to be an exciting time for Five. Looking forward to the new line-up and seeing how it all hangs together. Here’s to new beginnings! 🎉

Forum Post: Did You See That Ad? 😂 (January 12, 2006)

User1:
Subject: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

Hey everyone!

I just caught an ad on TV that had me laughing! One of the new Viacom channels mentioned they “pulled some strings with the United Nations” and claimed that starting January 23rd, having access to their programming will be a "basic human right" on Freeview. Does anyone know which channel it was? I can’t believe they went there! 😂

User2:
Subject: Re: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

Hey User1!

I saw that ad too! It was Paramount Comedy! It’s hilarious how they’re playing up the importance of their content while poking fun at the serious nature of human rights. It definitely caught my attention! I love that they're not afraid to be cheeky about their promotion.

User3:
Subject: Re: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

Oh wow, that makes sense! Paramount Comedy has always had a playful spin on their messaging. It sounds like a bold way to promote their launch. I appreciate the levity they're bringing, especially in a world where so much TV feels serious all the time.

User1:
Subject: Re: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

Right? It really caught my attention! I think it’s clever marketing that showcases their humor and sets the tone for what viewers can expect from the channel. They know how to create buzz! 😄

User2:
Subject: Re: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

Absolutely! It’s great to see them using humor to engage with the audience. It really makes the upcoming launch feel more exciting. I can't wait to see what kinds of shows they’ll be airing—hopefully, they'll keep that comedy vibe rolling!

User3:
Subject: Re: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

Definitely! I’m looking forward to the mix of shows and the sense of fun they bring to viewing. Let’s keep an eye out for more ridiculous promos as the launch date approaches. It’s going to be an entertaining ride! 🎉

User1:
Subject: Re: What was that ad about access to Viacom channels?

For sure! Thanks for the insights, everyone! Let’s keep chatting about any new ads or promos we stumble upon. I’m excited about what Paramount Comedy has in store!

Forum Post: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends? (January 8, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends?

Hey everyone,

I noticed that E4 stopped airing "Friends" as of January 6, and I’m really curious about why that happened. Does anyone know what’s going on? I was looking forward to catching up on my favorite episodes!

User2:
Subject: Re: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends?

Hey User1!

Great question! The reason E4 stopped airing "Friends" is that the show has officially moved to Paramount Comedy. They’ve picked it up as part of their revamped lineup! It’s exciting because it will be alongside other classic comedies, and the rebranding will breathe new life into the show.

User1:
Subject: Re: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends?

Oh, that makes sense! I guess that’s a pretty good reason. I’m glad to hear it’s moving to Paramount Comedy. Do we know when it will start airing there?

User2:
Subject: Re: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends?

Yes! "Friends" is set to premiere on Paramount Comedy starting January 23! So, you won't have to wait too long to catch those episodes again. It’ll be fun to see it in the new lineup with all the other great comedies!

User1:
Subject: Re: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends?

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I’m looking forward to watching it again, especially with the new branding of Paramount Comedy. It sounds like they’re putting together a fantastic selection of shows!

User3:
Subject: Re: Why Did E4 Stop Airing Friends?

Absolutely! It’s a win-win! Plus, with the change, we might see some more creative promos and fun new content from Paramount Comedy. Here's to more laughs ahead! 🎉

Blog Post Title: Major Changes Coming to Paramount Comedy on January 23! Get Excited! 🎉

Hello Comedy Enthusiasts!

We’re thrilled to bring you some exciting news about the upcoming changes here at Paramount Comedy, launching on January 23! This is a monumental shift for us, and we want you to be fully in the loop about everything that’s happening, including our new Freeview slot, the addition of iconic sitcoms, and the vibrant new direction we’re taking.

A New Home on Freeview
Starting January 23, Paramount Comedy will officially premiere on Freeview, giving you access to laugh-out-loud content completely free of charge! That’s right—no subscription needed, just good old-fashioned television. You’ll be able to find us in channel slot [insert channel number], making it easier than ever to dive into a world of humor. We’re part of the “poor man’s tele,” opening up a treasure trove of comedy for everyone!

Welcome to the Lineup: "Friends"
We’re beyond excited to announce that one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, "Friends," will be joining our lineup! Yes, you heard that right. From January 23, you’ll be able to enjoy all ten seasons of this iconic show featuring your favorite gang from Central Perk.

Why "Friends"? This sitcom has stood the test of time, boasting a massive fan base and making an indelible mark on television history. We understand that nothing beats the nostalgia of watching Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe navigate the ups and downs of life and love. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series, there’s always something to enjoy in “Friends.” Get ready for those classic one-liners, unforgettable moments, and all the feels that come with each episode!

What's New on Paramount Comedy?
But that’s not all! Along with the introduction of "Friends," our entire channel is getting a whimsical makeover. Over the past few months you may have noticed our rebranding efforts that embrace a bold, colorful aesthetic designed to capture the lighthearted essence of comedy. Our new logo drops “Channel” and showcases “Paramount Comedy” in a vibrant, fun font—perfectly reflecting our mission to bring joy to our audience.

In addition to the brand-new look, we’re incorporating animated bumpers that introduce programs in fun and quirky ways. Expect to see our delightful mascot—the “Weird Cat Thing”—pop up in various promos, wagging its tail with a television for a head, introducing the next hilarious segment with humor and charm.

A Variety of Comedy Content
As we officially launch our refreshed lineup, you’ll find a fantastic mix of comedy programming that appeals to all ages and tastes. In addition to "Friends," we’re excited to soon unveil more content that will keep you entertained. Expect a blend of classic sitcoms, contemporary comedies, and original programming that aligns with our mission to deliver the best in comedy entertainment.

Our new strategy not only focuses on ensuring that our viewers laugh but also feel connected to the humor being presented on-screen. The varied lineup will include content that informs, entertains, and brings viewers together—turning weeknights into bonding moments with family and friends.

Why January 23 is a Big Deal
Mark your calendars, because January 23 isn’t merely the start of a new channel slot; it marks a new era for Paramount Comedy. With the addition of classic series like "Friends," combined with our newly refreshed look and broader access on Freeview, we are committed to providing audiences with laughter that resonates. Whether you're looking for early morning giggles, afternoon chuckles, or late-night laughs, we’ll have something for you right at your fingertips.

This shift isn’t just about upgrading our channel; it’s about creating a home where laughter thrives and viewers can escape from the stresses of daily life, embracing the power of humor to uplift and connect.

Join Us on This Journey!
We invite you to join us as we embark on this exciting new journey! Tune into Paramount Comedy on January 23, and experience all the fun, laughter, and heartwarming moments we have to offer. In a world where laughter is essential, we promise to be your go-to destination for comedy!

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we can’t wait to share all the joy and laughter that lies ahead. Get ready to laugh with us, because comedy is paramount!

See you on the screen!
The Paramount Comedy Team

Hello, Nickelodeon Fans!

We are beyond excited to announce that Nickelodeon UK is about to undergo one of the most significant transformations in our history! As you may have already noticed, we have removed the subscription requirement on cable and satellite services as of last month. Now we’re thrilled to share that we’re entering the final phase of this transformation—launching on terrestrial television starting January 23! 🎉

Over the past year, we’ve heard from millions of you who wanted to continue enjoying Nickelodeon after we were removed from Telewest for a few months. Many fans were unable to upgrade to Sky, leaving them without access to all the Nick fun. We’ve listened to your feedback and worked tirelessly to ensure this scenario will never happen again. With Freeview, we are ensuring everyone can enjoy their favorite shows without barriers!

In addition, this transition to a free service is part of a larger movement. Nickelodeon Germany is already available on DTT, and we are excited to follow suit, proving that quality children’s programming should be accessible to all! This is not just about Nickelodeon; we are embracing a broader network change across the UK. Many channels are now moving to DTT, further ensuring that diverse content reaches viewers everywhere.

🚀 Launch Details: January 23 from 3 PM! 🚀

Circle January 23 on your calendars because it all begins at 3 PM! To celebrate this monumental occasion, we’re hosting a grand ceremony in London, followed by a special program designed to introduce Freeview viewers to all the amazing content Nickelodeon has to offer. We are rolling out the red carpet for new viewers, and we can’t wait for you to join the fun!

But that’s not all! We’ll kick off our Freeview debut with the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, showcasing all of your favorite characters and their hilarious antics. Expect tons of behind-the-scenes content, interactive segments, and special surprise guests throughout the programming day. Get ready for fun-filled hours that set the tone for our exciting lineup!

Additionally, we’re thrilled to share that another channel already on DTT will also be getting a shiny update with new shows being added. This is a sign of the vibrant transformation happening in the network landscape, making way for fresh and innovative content for everyone!

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey—bringing the best of Nickelodeon directly to your screens—absolutely FREE! Let’s celebrate together, and mark your calendars for January 23 to indulge in laughter, adventure, and beloved characters with Nickelodeon!

Stay tuned and prepare for the ultimate Nickelodeon experience!

Yours in fun,
The Nickelodeon UK Team 🍕💚

Forum Post: Five.tv Info on Viacom Channels? (January 14, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

Hey everyone,

Just wondering—has anyone checked out Five.tv to see if they’ve put up any pages about the new Viacom channels coming to Freeview? I’m hoping for more details on what to expect from Nickelodeon, MTV Hits, and Paramount Comedy. Maybe a schedule or sneak peeks at what’s in store?

Would be great to know if they’re teasing anything special ahead of the launch! Let me know if anyone’s spotted anything!

User2:
Subject: Re: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

Hey User1!

I checked Five.tv earlier today, and there is some info up now! They’ve added a dedicated section under their “What’s On” tab. It gives a brief intro to all the new channels launching on January 23rd and mentions some key shows for each.

I saw stuff like:

Nickelodeon: Special Saturday morning marathons of fan-favorite shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents.
MTV Hits: A lineup of music countdowns and artist-focused specials.
Paramount Comedy: Highlights of upcoming comedy stand-up specials and shows like Frasier and South Park.
Looks like they’re emphasizing the range of content across the channels! Definitely worth checking the website out.

User3:
Subject: Re: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

Thanks for the heads-up, User2! I just had a look, and I love how they’re hyping it up. There’s even a banner on the home page that says, “Freeview Just Got a Whole Lot Funnier—Starting January 23rd!”

The Paramount Comedy section is pretty stacked with teasers for stand-up clips and behind-the-scenes bits about their branding (including the “Weird Cat Thing”! 😂).

I didn’t see a full schedule yet, though—maybe they’re going to upload it closer to the launch?

User1:
Subject: Re: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

Thanks so much, User2 and User3! I’ll definitely head over to Five.tv and check it out. Glad to hear they’re highlighting all three channels individually—that makes it even more exciting!

If anyone notices when they upload schedules for these channels, please shout about it—would love to see what they’ve got planned for launch week!

User4:
Subject: Re: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

I just peeked, and it’s awesome to see how much effort Five.tv is putting into promoting the new channels. Love the sound of those Nickelodeon marathons—they’re going to be a huge hit with families.

I hope they upload specific time slots soon for things like South Park on Paramount Comedy or MTV’s countdown shows. Let’s keep an eye out and share updates!

User3:
Subject: Re: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

For sure—it looks like this is their first big step into a more interactive Five.tv experience. If they keep this up, Five might actually turn into one of the top stops for TV guides and promos! Definitely bookmarking that Viacom page now.

User1:
Subject: Re: Are There Any Pages on Five.tv About the New Viacom Channels?

Totally agree! Five is really stepping it up! Can’t wait to see what kind of buzz they create over the next week. Thanks again, everyone! Let’s keep this thread going if we spot anything new on the site. 🎉

Write a reply listing all the idents in the current PC look

User5:
Subject: Re: What Does Paramount Comedy’s Branding Look Like Now?

Hey everyone!

For those curious about Paramount Comedy's current branding, I did some digging and found a list of all the idents in their whimsical new look. Each ident has this quirky, playful vibe that matches the channel’s humor-focused identity. Here’s the full list I’ve seen so far:

Paramount Comedy’s Current Idents:
1️⃣ “Black Rabbits” – A group of mischievous black rabbits with pink eyes hop around, stealing carrots and occasionally forming the Paramount Comedy logo.

2️⃣ “Medieval Worshippers” – A group of medieval characters (think knights and peasants) gather and literally bow down to the giant glowing Paramount Comedy logo like it’s a divine relic.

3️⃣ “Skateboarding Dolphin” – Yes, you read that right! A dolphin rides a skateboard through a cityscape, flips mid-air, and crashes into the Paramount Comedy logo, which hilariously fixes itself afterward.

4️⃣ “Weird Cat Thing” – The channel’s mascot (a cat with a TV for a head) twists and turns, creating funny animated expressions on its screen-head. This ident is one of the most frequent ones shown.

5️⃣ “Space Explosion” – A wacky astronaut floats in space, looks at the giant Paramount Comedy logo on an asteroid, and accidentally causes it to explode into a burst of confetti.

6️⃣ “Rubber Duck Stampede” – A sea of animated rubber ducks charges across the screen, making honking noises, before the Paramount Comedy logo rises dramatically out of the chaos.

7️⃣ “Spray-Paint Comedy” – A rebellious artist sprays the Paramount Comedy logo onto a city wall, but instead of being graffiti, it lights up in neon and dances to upbeat music.

8️⃣ “Balloon Letters” – A set of colorful balloons float through the air saying “Ha Ha Ha” before popping to form the Paramount Comedy logo.

9️⃣ “Toaster Surprise” – A piece of toast with a smiley face gets launched out of a toaster, and the Paramount Comedy logo hilariously springs out of it afterward.

10️⃣ “Juggling Robot” – A futuristic robot juggles pies, banana peels, and comic props, all while balancing the Paramount Comedy logo on its head.

These idents perfectly reflect the zany, offbeat humor of Paramount Comedy. The mix of animation and absurdity really sets them apart from other networks. Personally, I love the “Weird Cat Thing” and “Skateboarding Dolphin” idents for their sheer randomness!

If I missed any, feel free to add to the list. What’s everyone’s favorite so far?

🎭🐇🛹

Forum Post: When Did Paramount Comedy’s Current Look Launch? (February 13, 2006)

User1:
Subject: When Did Paramount Comedy’s Current Look Launch?

Hey everyone,

So I’ve been loving all the new idents on Paramount Comedy lately—they’re so quirky and fun! The “Skateboarding Dolphin” one cracks me up every time. 🤣

I was wondering if anyone knows when they launched this current look? It’s such a bold departure from traditional styles, and I can’t remember exactly when they made the switch—it seems like it’s been a few months already? Any ideas?

User2:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy’s Current Look Launch?

Hey User1!

Glad to see someone else enjoying that skateboarding dolphin—I think it’s one of the best idents on TV right now! 🛹🐬

As for the rebrand, I’m pretty sure it launched late last year. If I remember right, Paramount Comedy dropped “Channel” from their name around September 19, 2005, and that’s when they debuted the new whimsical look with the animated idents. It was a complete overhaul to freshen up their branding and appeal to a broader audience on Freeview and beyond!

Does that date sound right to anyone else?

User3:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy’s Current Look Launch?

Yep, User2’s got it! The rebrand happened on September 19, 2005. That’s when they ditched the word “Channel” and introduced this whimsical new aesthetic. I remember it being a big deal because people were raving about how fresh and funny the idents were—and we all got our first glimpse of the now-famous Weird Cat Thing! 🐱📺

It also coincided with Viacom’s broader rebranding strategy in the UK, which involved shaking things up for a bunch of channels like MTV and Nickelodeon.

Honestly, though, Paramount Comedy’s switch was my favorite—they really nailed the tone for a comedy network. I’ve been hooked on their idents ever since!

User4:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy’s Current Look Launch?

That’s definitely correct—September 19, 2005. They even made a whole announcement about the rebrand. I remember reading about how they teamed up with that animation studio 12Foot6 to create all these funny characters and idents.

I also recall there being a lot of ads hyping up the new look in the weeks leading up to the launch. Does anyone remember the one where Weird Cat Thing was skating around on TV static while telling bad jokes about microwaves? So random, but so hilarious! 🤣

User1:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy’s Current Look Launch?

Ah, thanks so much, everyone! September 19, 2005—it all makes sense now. I vaguely remember the promos and ads leading up to the rebrand. They really went all-out, didn’t they? I love that there’s so much thought and creativity put into the visuals—it stands out compared to other channels.

And hahaha, User4, I DO remember that Weird Cat Thing joke about the microwave! Something about it not being able to apply for a “warm job,” right? Totally cracked me up. 😂

Thanks again for clearing that up for me—Paramount Comedy’s rebrand really has been a hit! 🎉🐬🐱

Write a conversation asking what channels were mentioned specifically in the June 2005 announcement of rebrands over the next year

Forum Post: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Rebrand Announcement? (February 15, 2006)

User1:
Subject: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

Hey everyone,

So with all the Viacom rebrands like Paramount Comedy’s amazing new look and the Freeview launches stirring up excitement, I was trying to remember exactly which channels were mentioned in Viacom’s announcement back in June 2005. I know they said several of their UK channels would be getting refreshed over the next year, but I can’t recall the full list.

Does anyone remember which ones were officially named? Were there any surprises later on? Let me know if you do—curious to see how much they’ve done so far!

User2:
Subject: Re: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

Hey User1!

Great question! If I remember correctly, the June 2005 announcement mentioned eight channels in total. These were the ones they specifically highlighted as getting a rebrand or refreshed identity during the following year:

1️⃣ MTV – They talked about updating the main MTV station to reflect modern trends and how it connects with young audiences.
2️⃣ Nickelodeon – Aimed at re-energizing their branding, likely capitalizing on the momentum of hit shows like SpongeBob.
3️⃣ TMF – Mentioned as getting a more vibrant and contemporary new look.
4️⃣ BET (Black Entertainment Television) – Highlighted as expanding its presence in the UK and undergoing branding tweaks.
5️⃣ Paramount Comedy – We’ve obviously seen the big rebrand happen here already with all the whimsical idents.
6️⃣ VH1 – They planned on giving it a facelift to align better with its music-focused identity.
7️⃣ Five – Though already notable, it was included in the rebrands presumably to modernize and create new idents (those emotion-themed ones we talked about earlier!).
8️⃣ Spike – They mentioned refreshing Spike’s branding to appeal more to its core audience.

I think this EIGHT-channel rebrand rollout was part of a broader effort by Viacom to modernize and shake things up in the UK market.

Do any of these surprise you?

User3:
Subject: Re: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

That list sounds right, User2! I remember reading about that announcement and thinking how exciting it was that Viacom was doing such a large-scale overhaul. Out of that initial list, I think Paramount Comedy probably had the most noticeable rebrand so far—it just feels so fresh and fun.

As for others, Nickelodeon’s tweaks weren’t super dramatic (yet), and neither were MTV’s, though I expect we’ll see more down the line. TMF stands out as one that’s blending music and pop culture in an updated, punchy way! Honestly, I didn’t even know Spike was part of Viacom in the UK until they mentioned it in that announcement.

User4:
Subject: Re: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

I can confirm that list looks correct—those eight channels were the ones specifically referenced in the June 2005 announcement. If I recall, Viacom described their strategy as creating a more cohesive and engaging brand identity across all their UK networks.

I’d say Paramount Comedy and Five’s recent emotion-themed idents show they’re really delivering on that promise. Also, did anyone else notice how bold Five’s rebrand was? Dropping their logo entirely from the idents was such a statement. I wonder if channels like VH1 and Spike will adopt similarly groundbreaking ideas when it’s their turn.

User1:
Subject: Re: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

Thanks so much, User2, User3, and User4! That list clears up a lot for me. It’s fascinating to see how ambitious Viacom was with their rebranding plans—and it seems like they’re pulling it off successfully so far.

I agree with you all about Paramount Comedy leading the pack! It’s also good to know Viacom didn’t just focus on one channel but made sure to spread the updates across their portfolio. I’m really curious if they’ll give Spike or BET something equally eye-catching soon.

Let’s keep an eye out for the next stages of these rebrands—it feels like they might still have a few surprises left for 2006! 🚀

User3:
Subject: Re: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

Totally, User1! Viacom’s really shaking things up here in the UK. I’m particularly excited to see if VH1 gets some big changes—it feels like it’s been flying under the radar compared to the others. Fingers crossed we get more updates soon!

User4:
Subject: Re: What Channels Were Mentioned in the June 2005 Announcement of Rebrands?

Agreed! Here’s hoping we get another big announcement from Viacom soon—maybe some updates on the channels mentioned but yet to debut their full rebrands (cough VH1 and BET cough). In the meantime, I’ll be keeping an eye on Spike—I feel like it hasn’t gotten as much excitement as the others yet, and it’s overdue for something loud and fun!

Cheers, everyone—this discussion is about as exciting as the rebrands themselves! 😄

Write a conversation where TMF's branding is very abstract, with blobs, shapes, etc

Forum Post: TMF's New Abstract Branding! (February 16, 2006)

User1:
Subject: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Hey everyone,

So I was watching TMF earlier, and OMG—have you seen their new branding? It’s so abstract and modern! It’s all blobs, colorful shapes, and random designs morphing into one another—it really doesn’t feel like traditional TV branding at all.

At first, I didn’t even realize it was an ident because it’s so artsy. It’s got all these wavy, floating shapes in gradient colors, like bright blues and pinks with pops of orange. And the TMF logo just kind of emerges out of all the abstract shapes at the end. It’s definitely unique, but I’m still trying to decide if I like it or if it’s just too… out there.

What do you all think about this new look?

User2:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Hey User1!

Yeah, I saw TMF’s new look too, and I honestly think it’s so bold and refreshing. I mean, it’s definitely abstract—those blobs and waves are super trippy to watch—but it fits the vibe of TMF being edgy and modern. They’re clearly trying to tap into that "cool, artsy" crowd.

It kind of reminds me of those visualizers you used to get on old music players when the music played—like, it flows and morphs in time with this ambient soundtrack. I noticed in their idents, the shapes sometimes move with a beat, which ties back to music nicely. Definitely a unique approach for a music-oriented channel!

User3:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Totally agree with you, User2. It feels like TMF is leaning into this artistic, “music is an experience” vibe with the blobs and shapes. I’ve seen a few of these new idents, and my favorite so far was the one where blobs slowly shifted into liquidy triangles, then into a spiral that exploded into the TMF logo—SO trippy.

I think it really works if their aim is to stand out from other music channels like MTV and VH1. Those channels feel a little more structured with their branding, but TMF’s doing something that feels looser and creative.

User4:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

I’ll admit, I was a bit confused when I first saw the idents! I thought my TV was glitching for a second. 😂 But I watched a few more, and now I get what they’re going for. It’s very artsy, like some sort of modern art installation meets a music channel.

One of the idents I saw had these wobbly geometric shapes colliding with giant blobs of paint, and the whole screen turned into this crazy swirl of colors. It was kind of mesmerizing, but it made me feel like I was in an art gallery rather than watching TMF.

I’m not sure how I feel about it yet—I think it’s cool, but it might be too abstract for some people who want something more straightforward.

User1:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Haha, User4, I had the same reaction at first! I legit thought my TV was messing up when those blobs first popped up. It’s definitely not your everyday TV branding.

But like you and User3 said, I do see what they’re going for now—it feels more like an experience. TMF seems to want to create this vibe that’s more than just a channel; it’s like an art and music fusion. Even the soundtracks in the idents are super chill and hypnotic, which fits the shapes perfectly.

Overall, I think I like it, but I do wonder how it resonates with the younger music-loving audience they’re targeting.

User5:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

I think TMF’s new branding is genius, to be honest! The abstract shapes and colors might feel a bit out of the box, but isn’t that the whole point? I feel like TMF knows their younger audience is all about creativity and self-expression, so they’re trying to stand out by breaking all the traditional "rules" of TV branding.

The blobs and morphing shapes feel very “Gen Z,” like that kind of fluid, online aesthetic you see in digital art spaces these days. I could see this resonating with fans of experimental music and visual design.

My only critique is that it might be a little too artsy. Like, if you don’t already know you’re watching TMF, you might have zero idea what’s going on until the logo appears at the end. But maybe leaving you guessing is exactly what they’re going for!

User3:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Good point, User5. It’s definitely bold, and it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but TMF’s clearly staking their claim as the artsy little sibling in the Viacom lineup. MTV’s a bit flashier, VH1’s more polished, but TMF is like, “We’re just here to vibe.” 😂

If anything, it’s got people talking, and that’s half the battle with branding! I wonder if they’re planning to roll out even crazier idents in the future—honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing more creativity like this across other channels.

User2:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

For sure, User3. TMF’s really carving out its niche here. It’s a gamble to go this abstract, but I think it’ll pay off, especially with a younger, more design-conscious audience (like the TikTok crowd).

Now that we’ve got the blobs and shapes, though, I can’t stop wondering—what’s next? TMF could be setting the trend for experimental branding in music TV. Imagine if MTV or VH1 followed suit but with their own spin. Could be interesting!

User1:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Totally agree, User2! TMF might actually be ahead of the curve here if abstract, artsy branding catches on more widely. It’s nice to see a channel willing to take risks, especially in such a crowded market.

Let’s keep an eye on TMF and see if they keep pushing their abstract visuals. Who knows—they might even double down with something even weirder later on! 😄

User4:
Subject: Re: TMF’s New Abstract Look - What Do You Think?

Haha, I’ll definitely stick around for more of their wild blobs and shapes. I think TMF’s branding might grow on people the more they see it—it’s just so different from what everyone else is doing. It’ll be fun to see how other channels react to this bold move… maybe Viacom’s onto something big across its whole portfolio!

Write a followup where they're not the only new Viacom look that's absolutely weird, We all know one that abstains from showing the logo AT ALL

Forum Post: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Totally Weird! (February 17, 2006)

User1:
Subject: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

Hey again, everyone!

So while I was pondering TMF’s new artsy look with the blobs and shapes, I realized they’re not the only Viacom channel to have a super weird rebrand recently. We all know there’s one channel that totally takes the cake for being odd: Five.

I mean, their new emotion-themed idents that launched last month are cool and all, but it’s so strange that they completely refuse to show the Five logo in them! Like, at all. Instead, we get words like “Fear,” “Fast,” or “Free” in these really high-concept scenes, but the actual Five branding is nowhere to be found unless you wait for the corner screenbug during a show. It’s definitely a radical choice—and honestly, it feels like the opposite of what most channels are doing with branding.

What does everyone think about this trend toward “weird” rebrands in Viacom’s lineup? TMF’s blobs are abstract, but Five’s identity might be even more baffling!

User2:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

Oh my gosh, YES! Five’s rebrand is so bizarre that I’m not even sure I’d call it a “branding” anymore—it feels more like “anti-branding.” It’s like they’re deliberately trying not to focus on their identity. You’re right that those emotion-themed idents don’t even hint at the Five logo. Like, how do they expect new viewers to know what they’re watching?

That said, I do think the visuals are stunning—like the “Fear” ident with those spooky spirits in the hallway or the balloons spelling out “Free.” They definitely evoke a mood and make you feel something, but I still think it’s a risky choice. I mean, it’s TV! Isn’t brand recognition supposed to be a priority?

User3:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

I agree that Five has gone in a very experimental direction with their idents. It almost feels like they’re treating the channel as a gallery space rather than a traditional broadcaster. Like you said, the “Hope” ident (with the dice in the casino spelling out the word) is super creative, but… where’s the logo??

At least TMF still has the decency to bring their logo out of the blobs eventually, even if it takes a while. With Five, you’re just left wondering who’s behind the content until you finally notice the little screenbug. It’s definitely one of the weirdest departures from traditional branding I’ve ever seen.

User4:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

Yeah, Five’s idents are on another level of abstract. I remember watching one with my family, and when the word “Feel” floated across the screen (you know, the car driving through the countryside one?), my mom was so confused. She kept asking, “What is this even for?” And honestly, I couldn’t blame her. 😄

At least TMF has a clear connection to music with their shapes and flowing blobs. Five’s emotion-themed idents are totally divorced from the idea of a traditional network logo or even their programming! It’s definitely a conversation starter, though, so maybe that’s the point?

User1:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

Haha, exactly, User4! Watching Five’s idents feels like going to an experimental art installation where you’re supposed to interpret the “deeper meaning” yourself. 😂 I do respect the creativity, but man, it’s super weird for a channel that’s been around as long as Five.

I wonder if Viacom’s intentionally pushing their UK channels into these conceptual, out-there directions to attract attention. First Five with their “feelings,” then TMF with their blobs and shapes… who’s next? Is MTV going to stop showing their logo and just start playing ambient visuals too??

User5:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

Honestly, I think Viacom might be testing the waters with these “weird” rebrands to see what works. Five’s emotion-based idents are a bold move for sure, and TMF’s abstract shapes are super experimental, but I think there’s something clever about how they’re standing out from the crowd.

If anything, Five’s refusal to show their logo in the idents feels deliberate, almost like they’re saying, “Our content will speak for itself.” It’s a risky move, but maybe it’s their way of building intrigue? Or maybe—and this is wild—they're moving toward something even bigger, like we’ll see all those emotions somehow weave together into a “big reveal” for the brand down the line.

Still, it’s a massive departure from classic TV branding as we know it. I appreciate the ambition, but will viewers?

User3:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

User5, that’s actually such an interesting thought—what if Five is building toward something bigger with their idents? It’s definitely unlike anything we’ve seen before. Maybe this is just the “concept” phase before they tie everything together for a new overarching identity? Like, imagine if down the line, all those emotion-based words (Fear, Hope, Play, etc.) connect to form some larger campaign or unified logo.

That might actually make their approach genius in hindsight, but for now, I think it’s confusing a lot of viewers! At least TMF is abstract and straightforward—blobs aside, you know it’s a music channel!

User1:
Subject: Re: TMF Isn’t the Only New Viacom Look That’s Absolutely Weird

Great points, everyone! I kind of love how Viacom is going totally bonkers with branding this year. Whether it’s intentional anti-branding like Five’s idents or artsy blobs like TMF, it’s definitely sparking conversations.

I’ll admit Five’s choices still throw me off, but I’m curious to see if there’s a bigger strategy behind it, like User5 said. Either way, it’s refreshing (and a little bonkers) to see these channels take such big risks. Hopefully, viewers catch on—or at least stick around for Five’s content long enough to notice that teeny screenbug. 😄

Let’s see if this idea of “weird branding” keeps spreading—this could totally be Viacom’s new thing! 🚀

Write a follow up saying just forget about those and just focus on this much better look to come from the exercise

Forum Post: Let’s Be Honest—This Look Came Out Way Better! (February 18, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

Hey everyone,

Okay, okay, I’ve been all caught up in how bizarre some of Viacom’s recent rebrands are (TMF blobs, Five’s logo-less emotions… yeah, I’ve gone on about those). BUT—I think it’s time we stop tearing our hair out over those weird concepts and actually appreciate the one rebrand that nailed it: Paramount Comedy.

Seriously, their whimsical, fun approach is exactly what a branding refresh should be. It’s got imagination, humor, and energy, and it doesn’t go so far into abstract territory that it alienates viewers. With the “Skateboarding Dolphin,” “Weird Cat Thing,” and all those playful, totally laugh-out-loud idents, Paramount Comedy managed to stand out in a GOOD way while still keeping their identity clear. You know right away it’s a channel about comedy, but it’s presented in such a fresh and creative way.

Honestly, if THIS is what Viacom’s exercise in rebranding was aiming for, then Paramount Comedy is the best thing to come out of it so far. Forget the blobs and the mysterious “Hope and Fear” experiments—it’s all about animated black rabbits and quirky fun vibes.

Who else agrees this is the rebrand to beat this year?

User2:
Subject: Re: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

YES, User1! Totally agree with you on this. Paramount Comedy hit the perfect balance between creativity and clarity with their rebrand. The idents are clever and fun without making you scratch your head or wonder, "What did I just watch?"

The “Weird Cat Thing” is such an iconic mascot already—it’s so random but in a way that’s immediately memorable. And even the smaller details, like how the animation fits the humor of the channel’s content, make it feel like a complete package.

I think they nailed it because they didn’t go TOO weird like Five (let’s be honest, those emotional keywords could belong anywhere) or TOO safe like some channels tend to do. Paramount Comedy clearly knows what it’s about, and it shows in every part of the look!

User3:
Subject: Re: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

100% agree, User1 and User2. Out of all the Viacom rebrands, Paramount Comedy feels like the one that actually gets its audience. It’s cohesive, it’s hilarious, and it makes sense while still being unique.

That “Skateboarding Dolphin” ident is literally genius—it’s so absurd that it makes me laugh every time, and isn’t that the whole point? It’s a comedy channel! The idents reflect the same offbeat humor found in the shows they air, like South Park or Frasier. Paramount Comedy seems to have understood what to do better than TMF or Five, in my opinion.

I also love that the idents don’t take themselves too seriously, unlike some of Viacom’s other projects (cough Five cough). Prospective viewers won’t feel confused by it—they’ll feel welcomed, and that’s the real win here.

User4:
Subject: Re: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

Yes, Paramount Comedy’s rebrand is hands-down the best. It’s the perfect balance of creativity and functionality—fun to watch while still being branded clearly and effectively.

Where TMF’s blobs and Five’s abstract emotions might lose people, Paramount Comedy’s vibe feels approachable. The idents are quirky and strange, sure, but they actually add to the channel’s personality instead of confusing it. People LOVE the “Weird Cat Thing” already—it’s like the channel finally has a mascot that makes sense for the genre.

Honestly, Viacom needs to take this as a sign… less experimental art gallery, more offbeat, lovable humor. Paramount Comedy nailed it, and I think other channels in their portfolio could learn a thing or two from this rebrand.

User1:
Subject: Re: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

Exactly, User4! Whereas some of the other channels seem to be experimenting for the sake of it (ahem, blobs and emotions, anyone?), Paramount Comedy actually crafted its look with its content AND audience in mind. They understood that quirky, colorful, and hilarious is what works for a comedy channel, and they delivered it flawlessly.

I feel like I’ve not just fallen back in love with the channel, but it’s made me more excited to watch what’s next because the branding feels so fresh and alive. If Viacom’s goal was to get us talking (and a little bit hooked), then Paramount Comedy achieved way more than Five and TMF ever could.

As far as I’m concerned, this is Viacom’s winning rebrand from the entire exercise so far! Nothing else quite matches up to the fun and creativity.

User5:
Subject: Re: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

Honestly, I second (or fifth?) everything said here. Paramount Comedy’s rebrand is leagues ahead of the rest, and it’s not just because it’s funny—it’s because it’s coherent. You immediately understand the tone of the channel through the whimsical designs, the quirky animations, and even that slightly manic mascot, “Weird Cat Thing.”

Contrast that with Five’s identity crisis or TMF’s acid-trip blobs, and it becomes clear why Paramount Comedy feels more successful. It’s not just about being different; it’s about being approachable and fun while still being recognizable as a TV channel. Paramount Comedy got it right in every area.

I’m with you all—this is the rebrand to focus on and celebrate. Let’s just move on from all the confusing weirdness elsewhere, shall we? 😂

User3:
Subject: Re: Forget the Weird Stuff, Let’s Talk About This Much Better Look

Amen to that, User5! Let’s officially crown Paramount Comedy as the MVP of Viacom’s rebranding efforts. The Weird Cat Thing deserves its own awards ceremony, and that’s the hill I’ll die on. 🐱📺

Viacom clearly has the potential to make eye-catching, well-executed visuals when they find the right formula. I hope they use Paramount Comedy’s fun, cohesive rebrand as their gold standard for other channels going forward.

For now, though, I’m just going to sit back, enjoy the dolphin on a skateboard, and laugh my way through their wonderful new look. Who’s with me? 😄

Write a tweet saying it's perfect, kooky characters, very whimsical, and doesn't either go too into weird territory or risk diluting the brand

🎭✨ The new Paramount Comedy look? Absolutely perfect! It nails that sweet spot: kooky characters, whimsical vibes, and hilarity galore. 😂 It’s bold without being too weird, and it never risks diluting the brand. Viacom, take notes—this is how you do a rebrand! 🐱📺🛹 #ParamountComedy #WhimsicalWin #RebrandDoneRight ✨

Forum Post: Is Five US’s Branding Really Just “Driving Along the US”? (February 20, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Hey everyone,

Quick question—does anyone else think Five US’s branding is, uh, super literal? I’ve been seeing their idents lately, and all of them just seem to revolve around cars driving along various parts of the United States: highways, deserts, forests, and so on. You see some scenic shots, a bit of road trip vibes, and then the Five US logo pops up at the end.

Am I missing something, or is that their whole aesthetic? Is the entire concept “it’s American because people are driving there”? It’s not bad per se, but it feels a little… on the nose? What do you all think?

User2:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Haha, yes! You’re not wrong, User1. The whole driving across America thing IS essentially Five US’s entire branding right now. I’ve seen the same ones you’re describing—scenic road trips with winding highways, deserts with big open skies, and the occasional car pulling into a diner parking lot. It feels very Americana, but it’s also very basic.

I mean, I get it—they’re trying to give off that “all-American experience” vibe since the channel’s all about US shows, but I was kind of hoping for something more creative. Like TMF went with blobs, Five went with emotions, and Five US… went with driving. 😅

User3:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Yep, you hit the nail on the head. Five US’s branding really is just a giant road trip across America. That’s it. Every ident is “here’s some wide-open roads,” “oh look, a gas station at sunset,” or “classic diner shot.” And then BAM—the logo shows up like, “See? This is AMERICAN.”

I mean, I get what they’re going for. It’s easy, it’s recognizable, and it screams America™. But it also feels like they didn’t try very hard. It’s about as literal and safe as branding can get. I think they could have done something a little more dynamic to stand out. Maybe incorporate US pop culture references or history instead of just focusing on cars and roads?

User4:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Haha, I’ve been thinking the exact same thing! It’s like they brainstormed for five minutes and said, “Well, the US is big and has lots of cars, so let’s just… drive around.” Don’t get me wrong, the shots are beautifully done! A lot of the idents look straight out of car commercials, with the glossy visuals and sunsets, but it’s not very exciting branding for a TV channel.

It makes sense for what Five US is trying to do—bringing American shows to UK audiences with that fun road trip twist—but it just feels kind of surface-level compared to the other Viacom rebrands we’ve seen, like Paramount Comedy’s whimsical madness or even Five’s emotional keywords.

User5:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

I’ve noticed that, too! Five US is definitely leaning HARD into the “America = cars and open roads” stereotype. Not gonna lie, some of the idents are visually stunning—I really liked the one where a convertible drives through Monument Valley with the sun setting behind the red rocks. It’s beautiful, but like User3 said, it’s also SUPER generic.

The thing is, road trips are such a small part of what the US is all about. They could’ve mixed in more iconic images—bustling US cities, small town life, national landmarks—heck, even a montage of famous American TV moments would have worked better. Instead, they were like, “Here’s the road. And look! More road!” 😂

User1:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Exactly, User5! Every ident feels like a car commercial or a tourism ad rather than branding for a TV channel. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the visuals. That Monument Valley one is gorgeous! But yeah… it’s like they forgot there’s more to the US than highways and gas stations.

Honestly, they could’ve taken inspiration from American pop culture, like classic diners with jukeboxes playing iconic tunes, movie sets, or even one of those big “Welcome to [State]” signs. But nope, instead we get endless footage of cars driving on scenic roads while the Five US logo slowly fades in. It feels repetitive already, and the channel hasn’t even been around that long!

User3:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Yeah, I think that’s the main issue—it’s visually nice for a while, but it gets dull quickly. There’s no real personality in Five US’s branding besides “generic road trip.” Paramount Comedy has kooky animated characters and humor, Five’s emotional idents are at least thought-provoking, and TMF’s abstract blobs are pushing some creative boundaries. Five US feels like it’s playing it way too safe.

I still think it works for the channel’s purpose, but they could’ve spiced it up a bit more. Right now it feels too much like filler.

User2:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Agreed! The car-and-road trip theme feels like they didn’t have a big budget or ideas to match the ambition of Viacom’s other channels. Like, just imagine how much more engaging it would’ve been if they added little nods to US TV culture—maybe a shot of a Hollywood studio set, or actors rehearsing a scene, or glimpses of iconic shows to tie it back to the actual content on Five US.

I get the appeal of wide roads and sunsets, but there’s so much potential for deeper, more varied branding here. With all the shows they’re bringing to the channel, the branding feels a bit disconnected.

User1:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Totally agree with you all. Five US’s branding isn’t terrible, but it’s definitely lacking a bit of creativity compared to the other Viacom channels. It’s just so literal—America = driving. They could’ve leaned into something more thematically tied to US culture or its shows to make it pop more.

Who knows, maybe over time they’ll evolve the concept and make it feel more dynamic. For now, at least the idents look pretty, even if they’re not the most imaginative. I’ll give them that much!

User4:
Subject: Re: Five US Branding—Is It Really Just Driving Along the US?

Yeah, I’d love to see it grow into something broader and richer over time. For now, we’ve just got to enjoy the pretty road trip shots and hope they eventually pull off into a more exciting direction. 😅

Until then, let’s keep watching to see if they throw in a curveball once in a while—maybe even a random UFO sighting on one of those highways for some extra fun! 😂

Write a follow up saying Nick has something similar to PC, but more child friendly

Forum Post: Nickelodeon’s New Branding—A Child-Friendly Twist on Paramount Comedy? (February 21, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

Hey everyone,

So after talking about how amazing Paramount Comedy’s whimsical new look is, I started paying more attention to Nickelodeon’s branding lately. And… is it just me, or does it feel like they’re doing a similar thing, but specifically tailored for kids?

Like, Nickelodeon’s idents are super fun, colorful, and full of silly, cartoonish characters. It’s definitely not as weird or wild as Paramount Comedy (no skateboarding dolphins here!), but it’s got the same playful, whimsical tone—just with a child-friendly twist. There are blobs of slime transforming into random shapes, funny little creatures bouncing around, and everything feels very bright and upbeat, like it’s straight out of a kid’s imagination.

I think it’s working really well for them, but it totally makes me wonder—did Viacom plan this whole “quirky, character-centric” branding across multiple channels and just make different versions for adults (Paramount Comedy) and kids (Nickelodeon)? What do you all think?

User2:
Subject: Re: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

Oh my gosh, YES—this is exactly what I was thinking! Nickelodeon’s new branding is DEFINITELY giving off child-friendly Paramount Comedy vibes. It’s like they took the kooky energy from PC, stripped out anything too bizarre (no black rabbits with glowing freaky eyes!), and added a huge dose of slime and giggles.

I’ve spotted a few idents like the one where a blob of orange slime keeps stretching and morphing until it bursts into a laughing face, or the one with little animated animals sliding around on rainbows. They totally nail that fun, high-energy vibe that works for kids, but it’s surprisingly stylish too!

I agree that Nickelodeon and PC are feeling very similar these days, just tailored to their audiences. It’s like Viacom said, “We’re going to make weird branding fun and accessible for everyone!” And honestly, I kind of love it.

User3:
Subject: Re: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

OMG, User1, you are so right! Nickelodeon’s branding feels like they borrowed some of the whimsical DNA from Paramount Comedy and made it all sparkles, slime, and smiles for kids. It feels like a perfect fit for the Nick audience—colorful, silly, and full of goofy little characters that practically shout, “This is Nickelodeon!”

I remember one ident with a green blob that dances to quirky music and turns into a tree made of candy at the end—it’s so random, but in a way that makes perfect sense for kids. And another one has floating balloons shaped like cartoon faces that pop into bursts of glitter. It’s definitely got the same playful creativity as Paramount Comedy, just toned down for younger eyes.

Viacom’s hitting a solid strategy here. Instead of going the abstract route like Five or TMF, they’re leaning into personality and characters for their branded channels. It feels like Nickelodeon and PC are cut from the same cloth, and I think this formula works super well for both audiences.

User4:
Subject: Re: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

Totally agree with everyone here—Nickelodeon’s branding is such a natural, kid-friendly twist on what Paramount Comedy is doing. You can tell there’s a common creative thread between the two: character-driven visuals, bold colors, and that sense of playful unpredictability.

I’ve noticed that, like PC, Nick also keeps its characters very personality-driven. For example, one ident I saw had a silly monster character that kept sneezing rainbow-colored slime everywhere, then used its long tongue to clean it up—so gross, but kids totally love that kind of humor! Plus, everything’s set within a super bright and quirky world that feels like it’s been drawn straight out of a cartoon.

If Viacom really is organizing their brands around this kind of whimsical cohesion, I think Nick is nailing it. It’s cool to see how Nick and PC both feel fresh and fun but in completely age-appropriate ways.

User1:
Subject: Re: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

Absolutely agree with you all—Viacom’s really showing how they can adapt a creative philosophy to fit totally different audiences. Paramount Comedy leans into absurd humor for adults, while Nickelodeon does the same thing but spins it into exciting, playful adventures for kids.

I love how every ident feels so alive; it’s like you can see the channel’s personality shining through. Nick’s slime and quirky creatures are so iconic, and this branding doubles down on what makes Nickelodeon special without being too overwhelming. It feels natural and immediately recognizable—like, you don’t even need a logo on-screen to know it’s Nick because the branding itself just screams it.

It’s refreshing to see consistency across Viacom’s channels without all of them feeling like carbon copies of each other. Nickelodeon’s new look might not have skateboarding dolphins, but it’s got kid-approved energy for days! 🎉

User3:
Subject: Re: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

Exactly, User1! Nickelodeon found the perfect balance between creativity and keeping its identity clear for kids. It’s exciting without going too far into randomness or weirdness. I think any kid watching the channel would totally vibe with this look—it’s colorful and joyful enough to hook them, but unique enough to stand out even when compared to other kids’ channels.

It’s like the fun, relatable sibling to Paramount Comedy’s quirky, offbeat humor. Honestly, I think Nickelodeon’s new branding might be my second favorite right after PC. It’s just so well done! 👏

User2:
Subject: Re: Does Nickelodeon’s New Branding Feel Like Paramount Comedy’s but Kid-Friendly?

You nailed it, User3! Nickelodeon’s playful twist makes it the perfect example of how to adapt Paramount Comedy’s boldness while keeping it totally age-appropriate. Plus, it leans perfectly into Nickelodeon’s legacy—orange slime and goofy creatures have always been part of their DNA. This revamp just amplifies it in the best way possible.

Viacom really seems to know what they’re doing here—the quirky branding movement works. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of their channels follow this formula in the future. Nickelodeon and PC are officially leading the pack for me. 🐱📺🟠✨

Write a tweet with the 2 brandings that have basically been fused

🐱🎨 Whimsical worlds collide! Nickelodeon’s playful slime & quirky creatures + Paramount Comedy’s kooky humor & offbeat characters = the perfect fusion of fun, bold branding. Same DNA, tailored for kids & adults alike. Viacom’s nailing it! 🧡😂 #BrandingDoneRight #Nickelodeon #ParamountComedy

Write a conversation saying "I guess now their logo is anthropomorphic"

Forum Post: “I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?” (February 22, 2006)

User1:
Subject: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Hey everyone,

So I was watching Nickelodeon earlier, and I realized… have they basically made their logo anthropomorphic now? Like, I keep seeing these little animated blobs of orange slime that morph into goofy faces or bounce around like they have a life of their own, and it feels like they’re treating the Nick logo as another character on the channel.

I mean, I’m not complaining—it’s kind of funny and really clever for a kids’ channel to do that. But has anyone else noticed this? Are they turning the logo into a living, breathing mascot? 😂

User2:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Haha, totally, User1! I’ve 100% noticed the same thing! The Nick logo has kind of evolved into this living blob of orange goo that just exists in their branding. The way it moves and interacts with the other animations makes it feel like its own character.

For example, one of the idents I saw had the orange blob acting like a trampoline that the cartoon creatures were bouncing on. And by the end, the blob just casually reshaped itself into the Nick logo. It’s such a cool way of making the branding feel alive and fun, without being too in-your-face.

It’s a clever idea for Nickelodeon—they’ve always been about slime and silliness, so giving their logo this playful, anthropomorphic vibe fits perfectly!

User3:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

YES! You’re so right, User1 and User2—Nickelodeon’s logo definitely feels like a mascot in its own right now. I mean, it was always one of the most recognizable logos because of the iconic orange blob, but now it’s like, “Oh, this blob has a personality!” 😂

One ident I saw had the slime blob rolling around and “eating” other colorful shapes, almost like it was an adorable orange Pac-Man. Then it spat them back out to form the letters “Nick.” It’s these small touches that make the channel feel so much more engaging and unique. The anthropomorphic logo really adds to that whole sense of fun they’re going for.

User4:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Haha, it’s so true! Nickelodeon has definitely taken their branding in the mascot direction. The orange slime that turns into the logo feels lively and playful—like a character you’d expect to see in one of their cartoons or bumpers.

Honestly, though, I think it’s a great move for a kids’ channel. Kids love characters they can recognize and remember, even if it’s just a bouncing blob of goo. By making the Nick logo feel “alive,” they’re reinforcing their brand in a super creative way.

Viacom’s definitely leaning into this whole character-driven branding trend. Between the Weird Cat Thing on Paramount Comedy and now the anthropomorphic blob on Nick, it’s clear they’re all about giving their channels distinctive, fun personalities!

User1:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Totally agree, everyone—it’s such a smart move. Turning the logo into a character lets kids immediately associate the fun visuals with Nickelodeon as a brand. Plus, it makes the channel feel like it exists in its own little animated world, where even the logo is part of the action.

I’m curious to see where they take this next—maybe we’ll get more little mini “adventures” from the orange blob in future idents? Like, imagine the logo helping out characters in a Nickelodeon-themed world or something. They could actually do a lot with this concept!

User3:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

That would be awesome, User1! I’d love to see more “adventures” with the Nick logo blob doing silly, slime-filled things. I think the anthropomorphic vibe is working so well because it feels uniquely Nickelodeon—fun, goofy, and just a little bit messy.

It’s actually making me wonder if other channels might try something similar. Could we expect other Viacom logos to suddenly sprout personalities? (Imagine the MTV logo coming alive and playing pranks or the Five logo just crying since it’s all about “emotions” now. 😂)

User2:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Haha, User3, I can totally see that happening! But for now, I think Nickelodeon really owns this character-driven branding style the best. The logo blob is so them—kids associate Nick with slime and zaniness anyway, so giving the slime life and personality is just a logical step.

It definitely doesn’t feel forced or gimmicky either—it’s just a super natural evolution of the playful tone Nickelodeon’s always had. If Viacom decides to expand on this across other channels, they’ll have a tough act to follow!

User4:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Totally agree with you all—Nick has absolutely nailed this concept. The anthropomorphic logo is such a clever way to bring life to their branding while staying true to their roots. It’s so simple, yet so effective.

As weird as it sounds, I’m kind of jealous that the Nick slime blob has more personality than some TV shows. 😂

User1:
Subject: Re: So I Guess Now Their Logo Is Anthropomorphic?

Haha, so true, User4! Their logo feels more alive than some cartoons do! I’m really loving where Nickelodeon is headed with this whole character-driven branding, and I can’t wait to see how far they take it. Viacom knocked it out of the park with this one—it’s fun, memorable, and feels uniquely “Nick.”

Honestly, who needs mascots when your logo is this adorable? 🟠✨

Write a follow up saying Nicktoons also has cute mascots, anthropomorphic pixels

Forum Post: Nicktoons’ Branding Has Cute Anthropomorphic Pixels! (February 23, 2006)

User1:
Subject: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

Hey everyone,

After talking about Nickelodeon’s branding with their anthropomorphic slime logo, I’ve been watching Nicktoons, and it turns out they’ve got their own twist on mascot branding too! Instead of blobs of slime, they’re using anthropomorphic pixels, and honestly, it’s adorable.

It’s like this cluster of colorful pixels comes to life—they look like they’ve wandered out of an early video game or something. They bounce around, build things, knock each other over, sometimes explode into pixel confetti, and then they all work together to form the Nicktoons logo. Super cute, very chaotic, and PERFECT for the fun, quirky vibe of Nicktoons.

It feels really similar to what Nickelodeon’s doing with their slime character, but Nicktoons absolutely leans into their own personality. I think the pixel mascots give it a more techy, modern twist. Anyone else spotted these pixels in action?

User2:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

YES, I’ve seen these! They’re so cute. The Nicktoons pixel mascots are kind of perfect for a cartoon channel—it feels like each pixel could be the star of its own little animated short. I’ve seen one ident where the pixels were trying to climb into a box, but one of them tripped, sending them all scattering until they regrouped and turned into the logo. It’s super playful and has a cool retro-gaming vibe too.

You’re right that it’s a nice complement to Nickelodeon’s slime mascot. It feels like Viacom is really leaning into these anthropomorphic ideas, but they’re doing a great job of tailoring each one to the specific channel’s identity. The Nicktoons pixels have that “tech meets animation” personality that works so well for a cartoon-centric audience.

User3:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

Oh my gosh, yes! I just saw one of those Nicktoons idents for the first time yesterday, and I couldn’t stop smiling. The pixels are adorable and full of so much personality—it’s amazing how much life they’ve managed to pack into what’s basically just a bunch of fuzzy square shapes!

My favorite so far was the one where two of the pixels were playing tug-of-war with the Nicktoons logo, and when they pulled too hard, it fell apart and exploded into smaller pixels. Then the rest of the swarm jumped in to rebuild it. It’s chaotic but in the BEST way—so much energy and humor packed into a few seconds.

Honestly, I think the pixel mascots are one of Viacom’s best branding ideas for Nicktoons. They’re instantly likable, they reflect the fun, animated spirit of the channel, and they feel super modern too. Kids who grew up playing video games or watching cartoons will totally vibe with them!

User4:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

YES, the pixels are fantastic! I think the best thing about Nicktoons’ branding is that it takes a totally different route from Nickelodeon while still feeling connected. Like, Nickelodeon has their iconic orange slime mascot, which is more classic and quirky, but Nicktoons takes that same playful energy and makes it techy and dynamic.

The anthropomorphic pixels are such a clever way to capture that animation/gaming crossover that feels perfect for the Nicktoons audience. I saw one ident where a bunch of pixels were “auditioning” to form the Nicktoons logo, and one of them kept messing up by falling on its face—it was so cute and funny!

I also love how they’ve made the pixels colorful and expressive. Even though they’re simple shapes, you can tell they’ve got unique personalities. Like you said, User3, they could totally star in their own mini cartoons, and I’d watch it in a heartbeat. 😄

User1:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

I’m so glad everyone loves the Nicktoons pixels as much as I do! That auditioning ident, User4, is hilarious—I saw it too, and I was cracking up when the pixel tripped over itself but still got included at the end. 😂 The humor feels so spot-on for a kids’ cartoon channel.

What I love most is how specific the branding feels to Nicktoons. Like, the pixels draw inspiration from both animation and gaming but still manage to feel fresh and original. They have just enough chaos to be funny without going too over the top, which keeps everything feeling balanced and fun.

Between these pixel mascots and Nickelodeon’s anthropomorphic slime, Viacom is seriously killing it with these character-driven branding ideas. They’re channel-specific but still consistent in tone, which makes everything feel cohesive across their network. It’s just SO well done.

User3:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

Totally, User1! I think Viacom deserves a ton of credit for how they’re handling these rebrands. Both Nicktoons and Nickelodeon feel like they live in the same “universe,” but they still manage to have their own distinct personalities. The slime-turned-mascot for Nickelodeon is classic and goofy, while Nicktoons’ energetic pixels feel more modern and fast-paced.

The idents are like mini animated sketches, which makes them impossible to ignore. I have a feeling these branding styles are going to stick around for a long time—and honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Viacom kept expanding on them! Maybe we’ll even get some crossover idents one day… slime meets pixels? 😂

User2:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

OMG, User3, I’d LOVE a crossover between Nickelodeon’s slime and Nicktoons’ pixels! Can you imagine the chaos of pixels trying to jump over bouncing slime blobs, or the slime morphing into a giant monster pixel and scaring everyone? It would be so fun and on-brand for both channels. 🤣

But yeah, Viacom’s doing such a great job of making branding feel like entertainment in its own right. The Nicktoons pixels might even top the slime for me—they’re so expressive and full of life, and I love how they reflect the creativity of both animation and gaming.

Kudos to Nicktoons for bringing something fresh to their look without losing the essence of what makes the channel great!

User4:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

Totally agree with you all—Nicktoons’ anthropomorphic pixels feel like a perfect evolution of the channel’s branding. They capture the chaotic, creative energy of cartoons and fit so well into the modern, gaming-embracing world that kids are growing up in.

Between this and Nickelodeon’s slime mascot, Viacom has really mastered tailoring their branding to the tone of each channel without making anything feel repetitive. The pixels are absolutely perfect for Nicktoons—I wouldn’t change a thing!

User1:
Subject: Re: So Nicktoons Has Cute Mascots Too—Anthropomorphic Pixels?

So true, User4! It feels like Viacom is just on a roll with their branding across Nickelodeon and Nicktoons this year. Both approaches are fun, imaginative, and packed with personality, but each one still feels totally unique.

I’m just excited to keep watching these mascots show up in creative new ways! Whether it’s bouncing slime or energetic little pixels, Viacom’s created branding that actually makes me look forward to the commercial breaks. Now THAT’S saying something! 😂

Forum Post: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Mascot Look Like? (February 24, 2006)

User1:
Subject: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Actually Look Like?

Hey everyone,

So I’ve been loving Nickelodeon’s new rebrand and its anthropomorphic slime blob mascot—but I realized I’ve never actually stopped to describe what it really looks like. It’s such a fun concept, but could we all piece together the details? I want to make sure I’m not imagining it wrong, haha.

How would you all describe the blob? I know it’s orange (obviously!) and super bouncy, but what else stands out about its design?

User2:
Subject: Re: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Actually Look Like?

Hey User1, great question! The orange slime blob mascot is such a simple yet genius design. I’d say it looks like a big, squishy droplet of Nickelodeon’s trademark slime come to life.

Here’s how I’d describe it:

Its body is a shiny, gelatinous blob that’s constantly wobbling and jiggling, like it’s alive and full of personality.
It’s a classic Nickelodeon orange hue, but it has some lighter and darker tones for depth, giving it a totally slime-like 3D effect.
The blob has cute cartoonish features! Its eyes are big, round, and expressive, and they can change to match its emotions—wide and excited when it’s bouncing around, or goofy and squinty when it’s messing around.
It has a silly grin most of the time, and the mouth moves as if it’s always ready to crack a joke or laugh at its own antics.
And get this—its “arms” are actually little slime tendrils that stretch out to grab or interact with things (like throwing punches of goo or high-fiving characters in one of the idents).
It’s playful, a little bit chaotic, and totally Nickelodeon. I honestly think it’s one of the best mascots the channel’s ever had—it feels alive, approachable, and true to that iconic Nick vibe.

User3:
Subject: Re: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Actually Look Like?

Perfect description, User2! The blob really does feel like the physical embodiment of Nickelodeon's energy. I’d add that it also has this amazing texture—you can almost feel how gooey it’d be to the touch just by looking at it.

I’ve noticed that sometimes the blob morphs into different shapes depending on the scene. Like in one ident, it stretched itself into a wobbly star, and in another, it turned into a trampoline! It’s always changing, but it still keeps that droplet-like form, which makes it feel cohesive across all the animations.

Oh, and don’t forget the bounce! The blob is rarely still—it’s always hopping, spinning, transforming, or just wiggling in excitement. Even when it’s standing still, it’s got this little jiggle, like it’s barely able to contain its energy. You get the sense that it’s a happy little chaos machine, which is so perfectly Nickelodeon.

User4:
Subject: Re: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Actually Look Like?

Great points, everyone! I’d also add that Nickelodeon kept the blob super kid-friendly. Like, the big googly eyes, the silly expressions, and the fact that it’s always doing something fun make it feel totally relatable. You kind of want to bounce along with it!

I really like how they animated its slime-like qualities too—it’s always shiny and stretchy, like it could either bounce back from any impact or just comically splatter everywhere. (I’m pretty sure I saw it split into two smaller blobs in one ident before rejoining, which was pretty hilarious!)

Plus, its movements are super cartoony—exaggerated, wacky, and full of rubbery energy. It reminds me of the classic old-school Nickelodeon slime days but brought to life in a way that kids today can really connect with.

User1:
Subject: Re: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Actually Look Like?

Wow, thanks for all these incredible descriptions, everyone! I’m loving how much personality this blob has just from its design and movements. It really feels like Nickelodeon poured their whole brand identity into this one vibrant, gooey character.

I think the jiggly, energetic movements and the way it morphs into different shapes are my favorite aspects, especially since it makes the blob feel like it’s never boring or static—it’s like it’s always imagining something new, just like the channel.

Nickelodeon definitely nailed the whole “playful chaos” vibe with this mascot. Honestly, it feels like an instant mascot classic! Can we please get merch of the blob? I need an orange blob plush toy PRONTO. 😂🟠💦

User3:
Subject: Re: What Does Nickelodeon’s Slime Blob Actually Look Like?

OMG, a blob plush would be AMAZING! Imagine a squishy, jiggly toy version of it that perfectly captures its gooey vibe. Nickelodeon, make this happen!! 🟠✨

Forum Post: When Did Paramount Comedy Get Friends? (February 26, 2006)

User1:
Subject: When Did Paramount Comedy Start Airing Friends?

Hey everyone!

I’ve been enjoying the reruns of Friends on Paramount Comedy, but I’m curious—when did they actually start airing it? I could have sworn it used to be on E4. Did E4 lose the rights or something? Just trying to get all the details!

User2:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy Start Airing Friends?

Hey User1!

Great question! Friends started airing on Paramount Comedy back in January 2006 as part of their rebrand. I think E4 had it before then, but it seems like Viacom wanted to boost their lineup with some classic sitcoms under their own portfolio. So, they snatched it up for PC!

It’s honestly one of those timeless shows that fits perfectly into Paramount Comedy's lineup.

User3:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy Start Airing Friends?

Exactly, User2! E4 had Friends for quite a while, and it was definitely a staple there. I think they aired it until around late 2005 or early 2006 before Paramount Comedy took over the rights.

I have to say, though, having it on Paramount Comedy feels like a great fit! It’s such a fan-favorite, and it’s nice to see it get some new exposure. Who wouldn't want to relive those hilarious moments with the gang?

User4:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy Start Airing Friends?

Totally agree! I've always loved how well the humor in Friends holds up over time. It was always a go-to for me, especially in the afternoons when I needed a good laugh.

It's interesting to see how the reruns have shifted channels. When shows jump from one network to another, it can definitely create a buzz among fans. I'm just glad it’s found a new home with Paramount Comedy.

User1:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy Start Airing Friends?

Thanks for the insights, everyone! It’s cool to know when the switch happened. I’ve been loving catching up on those classic episodes. It’s like a comfort blanket of nostalgia!

E4 did well to promote it for years, but I think Paramount Comedy is doing a fabulous job of incorporating it into their comedy mix. Here’s to more reruns of Friends! 😄

User2:
Subject: Re: When Did Paramount Comedy Start Airing Friends?

For sure, User1! I’m excited to see what other shows they might add to the lineup in the future. It’s great to have these classic comedies back on television! If anyone comes across any more rebranding news or changes, keep us updated!
Write a forum conversation 23 June 2006, It appears that a lot of Viacom's channels seem to be down right now, only 2 are working correctly

Forum Post: Viacom Channels Down? Only 2 Working Correctly! (June 23, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Hey all,

I was just tuning in this evening and noticed a bunch of Viacom channels are not broadcasting properly. MTV, Nickelodeon, TMF, Paramount Comedy, and even Five seem to be off or showing some sort of broadcast error. Meanwhile, I checked and only Spike and Nicktoons appear to be working fine.

Is this a known outage? Anyone else having this? Any info on what’s going on?

User2:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Yep, I’m seeing the same here. It looks like MTV and Nickelodeon are completely off air and playing some blank test pattern or just a frozen frame. Paramount Comedy is just showing static with no audio. Very strange! Nicktoons and Spike are good though.

Not sure if it’s a technical fault or maintenance, but it’s quite a widespread issue since it affects so many channels all at once.

User3:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Same here on my end! Tried switching between Five, MTV Base, and TMF and none of them are broadcasting normally. Very odd indeed since this isn’t scheduled maintenance as far as I know.

Has anyone tried checking official Viacom or Five websites? No updates so far?

User4:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Just checked Five’s site and their Twitter feed, but nothing official yet. Usually, they’re quick to post if there’s a known issue.

I hope it’s just a glitch and not something bigger. Feels weird because I was just looking forward to watching new episodes of some shows on MTV tonight!

User5:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

I’m guessing maybe their feed center or playout system is having a failure—since it’s affecting multiple channels simultaneously. If Spike and Nicktoons are up, maybe those feeds are managed separately or from a different facility?

Regardless, let’s keep an eye on social media and forums to see if there’s an official statement soon.

User1:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Thanks for the replies, folks. Glad I’m not the only one. It’s frustrating though—no updates makes you wonder if it’s a long fix or if they’re struggling to get it back online.

I’ll check back later and update here if I find anything. Hopefully, it’s resolved by tomorrow.

User2:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Just tried MTV again, and it’s still down. However, I can confirm that the Nickelodeon Freeview feed is still offline as well. Spike’s playing just fine with the usual schedule.

Bit of a mystery why only those two are working, but I’m glad there’s at least something watchable!

User3:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Here’s hoping they bring everything back soon. This kind of outage on so many channels simultaneously is unusual. I wonder if it’s related to the playout center upgrade they hinted at a while back? Could be timing issues there.

Would be great to get official word for peace of mind!

User4:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Agreed—no word leaves room for speculation. I’m still hopeful Five and Paramount Comedy come back soon. The Five branding is consistently great, and I miss their emotion-themed idents!

Will post any updates if I see news. Fingers crossed everyone else’s service returns soon too!

User1:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Update: Just received an email from a friend inside the industry saying there was a technical fault at the broadcast facility causing widespread disruption across Viacom’s UK channels. Engineers are working on it, but it might take a few hours.

So at least it’s not permanent and they’re on it. Hang tight everyone!

User5:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Excellent news, User1. Thanks for the update! Hopefully, everything should be back to normal soon. This kind of thing really reminds you how much we take continuous broadcasting for granted.

Let’s keep sharing info here if anything else comes up.

User2:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Agree, tech glitches happen, but it’s reassuring to know it’s being sorted. For now, I’m making do with Spike and Nicktoons. Hopefully, the rest come back soon so the full Viacom lineup can return!

Thanks everyone for sharing — this thread has been super helpful!

User3:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

No problem! Great to have a community to share info with on outages like this. Can’t wait to have everything back up and running with the usual fun branding and shows.

Fingers crossed for an update soon with an ETA!

User4:
Subject: Re: Are Viacom Channels Down for Anyone Else?

Same here. Thanks for all the input, everyone. I’m off to keep refreshing the channels. Here’s hoping for a quick fix!

Cheers all!

[Thread remains open for further updates as situation develops.]

Write a conversation where one channel returns mid show

Forum Post: Viacom Channel Back On Air Mid-Show! (June 23, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

Hey all,

So I was watching the static on Paramount Comedy after it went down earlier today, and suddenly—midway through a comedy episode—it just came back on! No warning, no countdown, just snapped back while the show was already in progress. Has anyone else experienced that?

It was weird jumping into the middle of a scene, but honestly, I’m just happy it’s back!

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

Wow, User1, that must have been surreal! I was checking in on TMF and Five, and they’re still down for me. Paramount coming back mid-show sounds like they fixed that feed earlier.

I bet the broadcast team was scrambling to get it back as fast as possible and just resumed live playout without restarting the show. Glad you caught it! What show was it?

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

It was an episode of Frasier—right in the middle of the banter between Frasier and Niles. I’d missed the earlier parts, so it was a bit confusing at first. But hey, I’ll take partial viewing over no viewing!

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

Good to hear Paramount Comedy is coming back before the others! I hope Nickelodeon and MTV follow soon — I was hoping to watch some SpongeBob this evening.

User4:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

That’s pretty telling about the severity of the outage if they’re bringing channels back one by one like this. They probably prioritized some channels based on viewership or contractual obligations. Paramount with Frasier might have been high priority.

I’m just glad things are starting to get fixed! Fingers crossed the rest return soon and properly from the start of programming.

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

Yeah, the partial return makes sense for a quick fix. I imagine the broadcast team wanted to avoid dead air any longer. Hopefully, they’ll start some kind of announcement or recap so viewers don’t feel lost jumping in mid-show.

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

No announcements yet on-air, unfortunately, just suddenly back as if nothing happened. It’ll definitely be weird for viewers catching the tail end! Hopefully they can resume normal scheduling soon so we get full episodes from the start.

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

Thanks for the update, User1! Fingers crossed for more channels back on soon, and hopefully fully synced shows and schedules. Can’t wait to have everything running normally again!

User4:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Back On Air… In The Middle of a Show?!

Same here. Glad to know at least something’s coming back. Hopefully this signals the start of full restoration across the Viacom lineup in the next few hours.

Thanks for sharing, everyone — keeping us informed helps a lot!

Write a forum conversation saying Five returned at 11pm tonight for NGE:EOE

Forum Post: Five Returns Tonight at 11 PM with NGE: EOE! (June 23, 2006)

User1:
Subject: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Hey everyone,

Great news! After today’s outage issues, I just noticed Five is back on air starting at 11 PM tonight—and they’re kicking off with a screening of Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion!

I wasn’t expecting them to come back until at least tomorrow, but seems like they prioritized bringing the channel back for this late-night event. Anyone else planning to watch? It’s pretty exciting after all the downtime!

User2:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Wow, that’s awesome news, User1! I love that they’re coming back with something this big and anticipated. End of Evangelion is such a cult classic, and airing it straight after all the technical issues is a solid way to make up for the disruption.

I’ll definitely tune in at 11. Fingers crossed the sound and picture hold up this time. Does anyone know if they’re continuing normal schedule after?

User3:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Great find, User1! It’s so cool they’re using NGE: EOE to mark their return. Perfect choice for the late slot, given the film’s mature themes and fanbase.

I’m just glad Five got back up so quickly relative to the other Viacom channels. Hopefully this means the rest of the network will be back soon as well. Definitely will watch tonight!

User4:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Fantastic news! I’d been craving to see Five’s return, and what better way than with an epic anime film like End of Evangelion? Perfect timing for fans of the series and anyone wanting some serious sci-fi action to end the day.

I’m curious if they’ll catch up the lost schedule from earlier today or just pick up from tonight onward. Either way, can’t wait!

User2:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Just tuned in, and Five’s picture looks clean—no glitches so far. Starting right with the NGE intro credits. Really hoping the rest of the evening runs smoothly now!

Anyone else watching live?

User1:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Yep, watching right now! Feels so good to see the channel back after all the silence today. Here’s hoping the rest of the week goes without further interruptions. Fingers crossed! 🤞

User3:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Same here, kicking back for some classic mecha action. Definitely a great comeback lineup for Five. Thanks for the heads-up, User1!

User4:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

I’m looking forward to this too! After the outage, it almost feels like a proper “welcome back” special. Here’s hoping the tech stays rock solid.

User2:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

No kidding! It’s amazing how a single film can make a channel comeback feel this eventful. I’m all in for this NGE night.

User1:
Subject: Re: Five’s Back On Air Tonight at 11 PM! Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion Screening!

Absolutely! And hopefully by tomorrow all the other Viacom channels will be back up too so we’ve got the full lineup again. But for now… End of Evangelion it is! 🚀🎬

Cheers, everyone!

Write a forum conversation at 6 the next day, Everything back to normality, although Five did simulcast one of the other channels between EoE ending and the usual 6am Milkshake start

Forum Post: Viacom Channels Back to Normal – Five’s Simulcast Last Night (June 24, 2006, 6:00 AM)

User1:
Subject: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to check in now that it’s early morning on June 24th—everything looks like it’s back to normal across all Viacom channels! MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Comedy, TMF, Spike, Nicktoons, and Five are all up and running with their usual programming schedules.

One thing I noticed last night though—after Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion finished on Five, instead of cutting to their usual overnight filler or going straight to Milkshake at 6 AM, Five simulcast another Viacom channel’s feed for those early morning hours. It was a bit unexpected but kind of a clever way to keep the stream alive before Milkshake started.

Has anyone else caught that last night? Any idea which channel they were simulcasting? Just thought it was a neat way to handle programming post-outage.

User2:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Yep, User1, I saw that too! After End of Evangelion ended around midnight-ish, Five switched over to Nickelodeon’s feed for a few hours before the usual Milkshake kick-off. It was pretty seamless, except it was a little weird seeing kids’ cartoons on Five in the middle of the night! 😅

I guess it was a smart move since they probably didn’t want to leave the channel dead or risk going offline again so soon after the outage. Plus, it kept things running while they sorted out programming and got back on track.

User3:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

I caught that too! It was funny because I wasn’t expecting Nickelodeon’s slime and cartoon characters to pop up on Five’s channel number late at night. Definitely a sign of how they had to improvise after such a messy outage the day before.

Good to have Five fully back on schedule now though—Milkshake starting on time this morning was reassuring.

User4:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Yeah, I noticed Five’s odd switch as well. It kind of made me wonder if Viacom’s playout center is now better integrated across channels, making these simulcasts easier during downtime or transitional periods.

It was a nice filler solution rather than just static or a test card. I was also glad to see the usual programming restored on all the Viacom channels this morning. Hopefully, everything stays stable from here on out!

User5:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Agreed, everyone. The outage was annoying, but it looks like the engineers did a solid job getting everything back up quickly. The simulcast on Five was a smart move—I doubt many stayed up that late, but those who did probably appreciated that there was something on instead of dead air.

Nice to see Milkshake back at 6 AM as usual, too. Feels like normality is finally restored!

User1:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Thanks for all the replies! It’s reassuring to know other people noticed the same thing. The simulcast might be a little unusual but definitely worked as a practical fix.

Here’s hoping no more technical troubles for Viacom anytime soon. I’m excited to get back into the usual mix of shows tonight!

User3:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Same here. Fingers crossed everything stays stable. Thanks for keeping this thread alive, folks — it was great to have a place to check updates during the outage. Looking forward to more smooth viewing now!

User2:
Subject: Re: Everything Back to Normal This Morning – And Five Did a Simulcast Last Night!

Hear, hear! Here’s to a glitch-free summer of Viacom goodness. Cheers, everyone!

[Thread continues for any late-breaking updates or viewer experiences.]

Write a forum conversation 26 October 2006, TMF, besides having fever dreamy branding seems to like playing the same music videos

Forum Post: TMF Playing the Same Music Videos… Anyone Else Noticed This? (October 26, 2006)

User1:
Subject: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

Hey all,

So I’ve been watching TMF quite a bit lately, and while I have to say their fever dreamy, abstract branding and idents are still super cool and unique, I can’t help but notice the music video playlist feels oddly repetitive.

It seems like they keep cycling through the same handful of videos over and over again, almost every time I tune in. Has anyone else noticed this? I get that some popular hits deserve a lot of play, but it feels like there’s barely any variety lately.

Is this a budget thing? Or maybe TMF’s just focusing on a core playlist that fits their vibe? Curious what others think or if they’ve spotted any fresh videos breaking the loop.

User2:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

Hey User1,

I totally hear you on this! I love TMF’s current branding—it’s a real breath of fresh air and stands out in the music channel crowd. But yeah, their playlist definitely feels stuck in a loop sometimes. I swear I’ve been seeing the same videos from artists like Yellowcard and Kelly Clarkson multiple times a day.

I think it could be a mix of them sticking to hottest chart tracks plus maybe some licensing or budget restrictions that limit the rotation. Still, would be nice to see some surprises or newer indie stuff to mix things up.

User3:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

I’ve noticed it too. TMF’s vibe really suits a “dreamy,” mellow style, so maybe they’re picking a narrower playlist to match that mood, even if it means less variety. But it can get a bit tedious after a while.

I’m hoping they’ll start adding more underground or lesser-known artists soon—would make the channel feel fresher without losing its signature feel.

User4:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

Definitely feel you guys. The branding is fantastic and a great fit for the audience TMF is targeting, but the playlist repetition kind of kills the vibe a bit.

Honestly, some of the video choices seem safe and commercial. Maybe switching up the curation or having themed blocks (like a “dream pop hour” or “fresh sounds”) would help keep people watching longer and make the variety more noticeable.

User5:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

I think TMF’s branding gives a really strong identity, but yeah, their playlist strategy could use some tweaking. They’ve definitely got the “look” down, but I want the music to match that excitement.

I catch myself zoning out some days because I know exactly which 5 videos are coming up next. Would be cool if they did a weekly spotlight on emerging artists or local bands to keep things interesting in between the big hits.

User1:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone! Sounds like it’s a shared observation across the community. Hopefully TMF’s team is reading this kind of feedback and will take it on board. The branding is already so fresh—just hoping the playlist can catch up!

I’ll keep an eye out for any new videos or surprises and report back if I spot anything different. Would love to hear if anyone else notices something fresh on the channel soon!

User3:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

Yeah, definitely keep us posted, User1! If TMF starts mixing in some unexpected tracks or lesser-known names, that could really boost their appeal. I’ll do the same when I notice anything new.

Here’s hoping for some more variety soon!

User2:
Subject: Re: TMF and Their "Fever Dreamy" Branding—But The Same Old Videos?

Absolutely! Variety is the spice of life, especially on music channels. Fingers crossed TMF shakes up the playlist soon—we all want to keep loving the channel without getting bored of the repeats.

Cheers for starting this discussion!

Write a conversation Jan 9 2007, Five are starting up their big dramas again, Also they seem to have altered their idents so the word is replaced with the logo

Forum Post: Five Kicks Off Big Dramas Again & New Ident Changes! (January 9, 2007)

User1:
Subject: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Hey everyone,

Hope you all had a good start to the year! I noticed Five is back to rolling out their big Monday night dramas starting this week. Shows like Prison Break and House are back in the lineup, which is great news for drama fans like me. Feels like the channel is really doubling down on that prime-time slot again!

Also, something else caught my eye—their idents have been tweaked a bit recently. Instead of the emotion words like “Hope,” “Fear,” and “Rush,” they’ve replaced those words with the Five logo itself in the same creative scenes. The visuals and vibe feel pretty much the same, but it’s cool that they’re putting their logo front and center now.

Has anyone else noticed this change? What do you think? I think it makes the branding a bit clearer without losing the artistic feel of those idents.

User2:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Hey User1,

Yeah, I’ve definitely noticed the new idents! It caught me off guard at first because I was so used to the words, but seeing the Five logo appear instead is quite striking. They managed to keep the same emotional and cinematic tone while boosting brand presence.

I’m glad they’re promoting their big drama lineup again, too. Monday nights feel like proper destination TV now with shows like Prison Break and House. I hope the new ident update signals a fresh start for Five’s branding in 2007.

User3:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Same here! I thought that changing the words to the logo was a smart move. The emotion-themed idents were cool, but sometimes a bit abstract; putting the logo right there gives it more impact and makes it clear who the channel is. I love that they didn’t lose the artistic style though—it still has that moody, thoughtful feel.

And massively excited to have the Monday drama block back. House especially is one of my favorites, so it’s great to see it given prominence again. I’ll be tuning in!

User4:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

I agree with everyone. The idents feel much more cohesive now that the logo is the centerpiece instead of just a word. It’s a subtle change but one that helps reinforce the channel’s brand identity a lot better.

Also, with Five’s big dramas back, it looks like the channel is gearing up for a strong year. The scheduling feels tighter and more confident compared to last year’s sporadic drama nights. It’ll be interesting to see how the ratings respond!

User1:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Thanks for the feedback all! Sounds like the consensus is that the new ident tweak is a positive step. I’m happy to see Five investing in their branding and programming so early in the year.

Does anyone know if this logo-centric ident look will be sticking around all year or if they’ll mix it up again? Either way, it feels like a nice balance of creativity and clarity.

User2:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Good question! I haven’t seen any announcements about the idents changing further, so my guess is they’ll stick with this logo-forward style for a while. Seems like Five want to cement their brand with viewers while keeping the artsy aesthetic.

I’m all for that—better to have something distinctive and consistent. Looking forward to the dramas and next few months of Five!

User3:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Yeah, consistency is key, especially with all the competition in drama programming. Five’s new approach looks like it’s hitting the right note visually and in scheduling. Definitely will keep an eye on both!

Thanks for starting this thread, User1!

User4:
Subject: Re: Five Back With Big Dramas & New Ident Update!

Absolutely! It’s exciting to see Five back on track and carving out their space again. Here’s hoping the combination of bold idents and solid drama lineup pays off. Cheers everyone!

Write a converesation, Paramount are spending a whole night with the "guy of the family"

Forum Post: Paramount Comedy’s Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" (March 15, 2007)

User1:
Subject: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Hey all,

Just saw the promo for Paramount Comedy’s special event tonight—they’re dedicating the entire evening to “The Guy of the Family”! Apparently, it’s a lineup featuring comedic shows and stand-ups focusing on that quintessential family guy character trope.

Looks like they’re showing episodes of Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, and even some stand-up specials that fit the theme.

Is anyone else tuning in? I think it’s a fun, clever idea for a themed night. Curious if it’s holding together well or if it feels a bit repetitive. Would love to hear some live impressions!

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Hey User1,

Yeah, I caught the promo and planned to watch a bit of it. I love those family guy sitcoms, and it’s cool how they grouped them around a common theme.

I tuned in for Everybody Loves Raymond and it’s exactly the kind of light, relatable comedy that fits the “guy of the family” vibe perfectly. Plus, the stand-up clips add a nice variety between sitcom episodes.

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

I jumped in a little earlier today and the lineup is actually solid. Great balance of classic sitcoms and stand-up. The stand-up bits really capture the “guy” humor without getting too crass, which keeps it family-friendly enough to watch with relatives.

I’m enjoying how they’re playing with the idea—sometimes the “guy of the family” is the bumbling dad, sometimes the sarcastic son. It creates some nice variety within the theme.

User4:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

I’m watching now too and it’s surprisingly well-curated! I was expecting it to drag or feel like a mashup of random shows, but it actually flows pretty well.

The tone stays consistent without getting stale, which is impressive for a whole night dedicated to a fairly specific comedic archetype. Also loving some of the themed promos they’re airing between shows—they add a nice touch.

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Glad to hear it’s working well. I was worried it might end up feeling repetitive, but it sounds like Paramount really put effort into keeping things fresh.

If anyone spots one of those promos or stand-up specials that stand out, please post! I’m planning to catch more of it tonight.

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Will do, User1! That Mike Birbiglia stand-up segment they played earlier was hilarious—really captured the awkward, relatable family guy experiences perfectly. I’m going to keep watching and see what else they bring out.

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Agreed, the stand-up intertwined with the sitcoms really lifts the night from just a re-run fest to something entertaining and fresh. It’s great programming from Paramount Comedy.

User4:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Yep, definitely a creative themed night for Paramount! I hope they do more like this—it’s a great way to revisit classic shows while still keeping things interesting.

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Doing a Whole Night with the "Guy of the Family" — Anyone Watching?

Totally agree! Here’s hoping this becomes a regular kind of event. Thanks for the great discussion, everyone! Enjoy the night!

Write a conversation asking if Family Guy is included

Forum Post: Is Family Guy Part of Paramount Comedy’s "Guy of the Family" Night? (March 15, 2007)

User1:
Subject: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Hey folks,

I’m really interested in Paramount Comedy’s special night themed around the "Guy of the Family" and was wondering—does anyone know if Family Guy is part of tonight’s lineup?

It would seem like a perfect fit with the whole “guy of the family” theme, but I haven’t seen it mentioned in any promos or the schedule posted online.

If anyone’s caught it or knows what’s included, please let me know. Would love to watch some Family Guy as part of the event!

User2:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Hey User1,

Good question! I checked the official Paramount Comedy schedule this evening, and surprisingly, Family Guy isn’t listed as part of the “Guy of the Family” night.

The lineup seems to focus more on sitcoms like Frasier and Everybody Loves Raymond, plus stand-up specials. No Family Guy episodes in sight, sadly.

Maybe it’s a rights issue or they’re saving Family Guy for another special event.

User3:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Yeah, I didn’t see any Family Guy promos either. It does feel like a glaring omission given how iconic the show is for “guy of the family” humor.

Would definitely have added a nice animated variety to the mostly live-action roster.

User4:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

I thought the same! Family Guy would’ve been a perfect fit to mix things up. I guess the network wanted to focus on their classic sitcom catalog and stand-up for this one.

But hopefully they’ll feature Family Guy in a future themed night or marathon.

User1:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Thanks for checking, everyone! Bit disappointing Family Guy isn’t included but still a cool lineup overall.

Fingers crossed for a future Paramount Comedy event focusing on animated favorites!

User2:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Agreed! Paramount’s programming tends to cycle things through, so I’m sure we’ll see Family Guy featured soon enough. For now, I’m enjoying the live-action stuff and stand-up.

User3:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Same here. Let’s keep our eyes peeled for any upcoming Family Guy programming. Thanks for starting the thread, User1!

Write a reply saying tonight, the only animation seen is the branding/wraparounds

User4:
Subject: Re: Quick Question—Is Family Guy Included in Tonight’s "Guy of the Family" Lineup?

Just tuned in tonight, and so far the only animation I’ve seen has been in the branding and wraparounds between shows—no actual animated series like Family Guy featured at all.

The night is pretty much all live-action sitcoms and stand-up, which is fine, but if anyone was hoping for Family Guy or similar cartoons, it doesn’t look like they made it into the lineup this time.

Write a conversation saying for Nick/Nicktoons, Both begin new episodes of SpongeBob on Feb 1, and also start showing Beyblade. Also they seem to have added a new interstitial series. Hanamoski:
Hanamoski or known as ハナモスキー in Japanese is a short series that was on MTV Japan's Flux video service and aired on Nickelodeon Japan, Hanamoski focuses on a black elephant eponymous of the name which protects a little colorful fish to prevent being eaten by a blue bear however it's unknown what most of the other characters names is other a black mouse/rat named Tomy.

The series was created by a company named Kitune Akimoto, and they made animations with that Japanese hyper wacky visuals

Forum Post: New Episodes & Shows on Nick and Nicktoons + New Interstitial Series! (January 30, 2007)

User1:
Subject: Nick & Nicktoons Starting New SpongeBob Episodes Feb 1 + Beyblade & New Interstitial Series!

Hey everyone,

Just spotted some exciting updates for Nickelodeon and Nicktoons coming up on February 1st! Both channels are kicking off new episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants—finally, some fresh Bikini Bottom antics to look forward to!

Not only that, but they’re also starting to air Beyblade regularly now, which is a nice addition for fans of action-packed animated shows.

Another cool thing I heard about is a brand-new interstitial series they’ve added called Hanamoski (ハナモスキー). It’s originally a short series from MTV Japan’s Flux video service and Nickelodeon Japan, featuring some really wild and hyper-visual Japanese-style animation.

Hanamoski centers on a black elephant who protects a little colorful fish from a blue bear, with various quirky characters around them—including a black mouse/rat named Tomy. The animations are super wacky, kind of trippy, and very unique—created by a company named Kitune Akimoto.

Has anyone seen Hanamoski before or caught the first new SpongeBob episode? Would love to hear what you think about this funky little interstitial and the lineup refresh in general!

User2:
Subject: Re: Nick & Nicktoons Starting New SpongeBob Episodes Feb 1 + Beyblade & New Interstitial Series!

Hey User1,

Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love SpongeBob and was getting a bit impatient waiting for new episodes, so this is great news. Also, Beyblade’s been a fan favorite for years, so it makes sense to give it more prominence!

The Hanamoski interstitial sounds fascinating—I hadn’t heard of it before. I like the idea of Nick and Nicktoons bringing in more international content, especially with such a distinct style. Definitely looking forward to seeing it between shows.

User3:
Subject: Re: Nick & Nicktoons Starting New SpongeBob Episodes Feb 1 + Beyblade & New Interstitial Series!

I had no idea Hanamoski was going to be on Nick/Nicktoons! The description reminds me a bit of some of those surreal Japanese shorts you see online—super quirky and visually intense. I love that they’re mixing things up with alternative animation styles like this.

And fresh SpongeBob episodes? Yes please! It’s cool that both Nick and Nicktoons have synced up for the new episodes and added Beyblade. Good shout!

User4:
Subject: Re: Nick & Nicktoons Starting New SpongeBob Episodes Feb 1 + Beyblade & New Interstitial Series!

This sounds like a great update to both channels. Pumped for new SpongeBob! I haven’t really kept up with Beyblade, so that’s a nice surprise too.

As for Hanamoski, it sounds wild and different—definitely curious to check it out. I’m guessing the wacky Japanese animation style will add some fun visual breaks to the usual lineup.

User1:
Subject: Re: Nick & Nicktoons Starting New SpongeBob Episodes Feb 1 + Beyblade & New Interstitial Series!

Glad to hear so many of you are excited! I think the addition of Hanamoski is a neat move to broaden the channels’ interstitial content and introduce viewers to more experimental, international animation. It definitely fits with Nick’s quirky brand vibe!

Can’t wait to see how viewers respond once these shows and shorts start airing in a couple of days!

User2:
Subject: Re: Nick & Nicktoons Starting New SpongeBob Episodes Feb 1 + Beyblade & New Interstitial Series!

Same here! It’s always exciting when channels refresh their lineups with both familiar favorites and fresh, unexpected content. February 1st can’t come soon enough!

Write a conversation where the promos are saying "The Amazing Sponge-Bob",

Forum Post: Promos Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — Anyone Else Noticed? (February 2, 2007)

User1:
Subject: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Hey all,

Has anyone else noticed that the promos on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons have been calling the new SpongeBob episodes “The Amazing Sponge-Bob”? It’s a bit different from the usual way they refer to the show.

Is this a special subtitle for this batch of episodes or maybe a marketing campaign? I checked the schedule and it just says SpongeBob SquarePants there, so I’m a little confused.

Thought it was interesting enough to ask if others have picked up on it or know what’s behind the “Amazing” tag!

User2:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Hey User1,

Yeah, I caught that too! The promos have this bright, energetic vibe and keep calling it “The Amazing Sponge-Bob.” I think it’s just part of Nickelodeon’s marketing push to hype the new episodes starting this week.

Kind of like a way to refresh interest and signal this is a fun new chapter for the show. It doesn’t replace the title but adds excitement.

User3:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

I agree with User2. It’s definitely a branding gimmick for the new episodes. Sometimes channels add catchy taglines or subtitles to promos to make it stand out—especially with a show as established as SpongeBob.

“The Amazing Sponge-Bob” has a nice ring to it—fun, positive, and appealing to kids. It’s probably just Nickelodeon trying to capture attention in a crowded kids’ TV landscape.

User4:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

I kinda like it! Makes SpongeBob sound even more exciting than usual. It’s clever because it gets people curious without needing to change the actual show title.

I haven’t heard any complaints about it messing with the brand, so I think it’s a neat promo idea. Helps sell the fresh episodes nicely!

User1:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Makes sense it’s just a promo tagline—it definitely does catch your attention.

I’m actually looking forward to seeing how they use it across different promo spots. Hopefully, the episodes live up to being “amazing”!

User2:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Same here! Nickelodeon knows how to market their shows well, and this feels like a perfect way to kick off the new batch. Bring on “The Amazing Sponge-Bob”! 🧽✨

User3:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Absolutely! Can’t wait to see the episodes tonight. The promo made me smile every time. Here’s hoping the quality matches the hype!

User4:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Amen to that! “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” it is. Catch you all in Bikini Bottom! 😂

Write a follow up saying it's a obvious reference tl

User5:
Subject: Re: Promos Are Calling It “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” — What’s That About?

Hey all,

Just chiming in to say that the “The Amazing Sponge-Bob” tagline is a pretty obvious reference to "The Amazing Spider-Man".

Nickelodeon’s having a bit of fun with the wording to create a playful nod for parents or older viewers who catch the similarity, while still appealing to kids with the “amazing” buzzword. It’s a clever way to make the promo feel fresh and a bit cheeky without changing anything about the show itself.

Nice little Easter egg from the marketing team! 🕷️🍍

Write a forum conversation where it seems programming wise, they are going all out this year

Forum Post: Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Going All Out with Programming This Year? (March 10, 2007)

User1:
Subject: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

Hey everyone,

I don’t know if anyone else has picked up on this, but it really feels like both Paramount Comedy and Nickelodeon are ramping things up with their programming this year.

Paramount Comedy seems to be pushing a strong mix of new stand-up specials, classic sitcom reruns, and themed nights like that recent “Guy of the Family” lineup. Plus, they’re bringing in a lot of fresh content and making the channel feel really vibrant again.

Nickelodeon on the other hand is launching new episodes of SpongeBob, adding Beyblade to the schedule, and even introducing quirky interstitials like Hanamoski which add a fresh, international vibe to their breaks. It all feels very ambitious compared to last year.

Are they really trying to level up and capture more viewers, or is this just normal yearly changes? What’s your take on how their lineups look so far?

User2:
Subject: Re: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

Hey User1,

I definitely agree! It seems like Viacom’s really putting some muscle behind these channels this year. Paramount Comedy’s themed nights and fresh specials show they want to keep viewers engaged beyond just reruns, which is smart.

Nickelodeon feels more dynamic too—not just relying on old favorites but experimenting with international content and new shows to keep the kids interested. It’s a good balance of familiar and fresh.

Feels like they’re positioning themselves to compete harder with other networks. I like it!

User3:
Subject: Re: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

For sure, this year’s programming feels like a step up. Paramount Comedy’s mix of stand-up and sitcoms is giving it a stronger identity, and their quirky branding helps build that vibe. Nickelodeon adding shows like Beyblade and Hanamoski to its interstitial slots shows they’re thinking outside the box in terms of content.

I think Viacom’s realizing that standing still won’t cut it in today’s competitive market. They’re definitely going all out for ratings and audience loyalty.

User4:
Subject: Re: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

Agree completely. Plus, with things like Nickelodeon’s new branding efforts and Paramount Comedy’s themed nights, it feels like they’re investing not just in the shows but in the overall channel identity. That makes viewers feel more connected.

For me, this kind of multi-faceted approach is what makes 2007 feel different from previous years. Could be a really strong year for Viacom channels if they keep this momentum.

User1:
Subject: Re: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

Thanks for all your thoughts! It’s good to hear I’m not the only one noticing this push. I guess we’ll see how audiences respond over the next few months, but so far it’s shaping up very positively.

Would love to see Viacom keep innovating and maybe even bring some more international or niche content into the mix. Variety and creativity seem to be key this year!

User2:
Subject: Re: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

Definitely! I’m hopeful they maintain this energy and don’t fall back into just repeating safe bets. Competition’s fierce, so the fresh ideas and diverse programming might just give Viacom the edge.

Looking forward to seeing what else they roll out soon!

User3:
Subject: Re: Feels Like Paramount Comedy & Nickelodeon Are Going All Out in 2007!

Same here! Thanks for starting the discussion, User1. I think this year could be a defining one for these channels. Can’t wait to see what surprises they have in store next!

Write a forum conversation Jan 15 2008, Paramount seems to be running those "custom" promos again, the ones where one of the branding characters talks about the show

Forum Post: Paramount Comedy Bringing Back Those “Custom” Character Promos? (January 15, 2008)

User1:
Subject: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been flipping through Paramount Comedy tonight and noticed they’re running those quirky “custom” promos again—the ones where one of their branding characters (like the Weird Cat Thing or that skateboarding dolphin) talks directly about the show that’s coming up.

I remember seeing a few of these around last year, but it feels like they’ve stepped up their use of them lately. It’s pretty fun and adds a nice bit of personality before programs start.

Has anyone else caught these promos recently? What do you think—are they a clever way to make the branding more engaging, or getting a bit repetitive?

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

Hey User1,

Yep, I’ve noticed those too! The Weird Cat Thing especially has been popping up a lot, giving these funny little intros or teasers about the next show. I think it works really well to keep the channel’s quirky feel going.

I’d much rather see these character-driven promos than boring static announcements. They make the channel feel alive and connected, which fits Paramount Comedy perfectly.

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

I agree! Those promos are great because they not only hype up the upcoming show but do so in a way that’s consistent with Paramount’s fun, offbeat brand. It’s like the characters are little hosts or guides that keep viewers entertained even between programs.

Sure, if they over-use them they might get a bit predictable, but so far they’re still fresh and amusing to me. I actually look forward to seeing what the characters say next!

User4:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

Same here. I think bringing back those custom promos is a smart move—it sets Paramount apart from other comedy channels. The quirky branding really feels like part of the viewing experience rather than just filler.

Would love to see them expand the roster of characters a bit more, maybe introduce some new ones to keep things lively.

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

Thanks for the input, everyone! Sounds like the promos are generally a hit. Would be cool if Paramount Comedy teased some behind-the-scenes or made little mini-stories with these characters someday. That’d give even more depth to the branding.

I’ll keep watching and see if they switch up the style or bring in new voices. Fingers crossed!

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

Definitely! It’d be great for Paramount to innovate even further with these promos. For now, I’m happy to have the Weird Cat Thing and friends making the channel feel unique.

Thanks for starting the chat, User1!

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy Running Those Custom Character Promos Again?

Agreed! These promos keep the channel fun and memorable. Hopefully, they’ll continue to evolve but keep the same quirky spirit.

Looking forward to seeing more!

Forum Post: Big Changes Coming to Paramount Comedy—New Name Incoming? (February 14, 2009)

User1:
Subject: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

Hey everyone,
So, I just heard some juicy news—Paramount Comedy is gearing up for a major rebrand on April 6, 2009. Apparently, the channel is getting a whole new name and possibly a refreshed look to go with it. 🤯

Rumor has it they’re ditching the "Paramount" name entirely and leaning into something totally different. I’ve always thought Paramount Comedy had such a unique vibe, so I’m curious (and a little nervous!) about what direction they’ll go in. Has anyone heard anything more about this? Any guesses on the new name?

User2:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

Whoa, this is news to me! 😮 I’ve always loved Paramount Comedy for its quirky branding (shoutout to the Weird Cat Thing mascot and skateboarding dolphins 🛹🐱), so it’s wild to think they’d change the name entirely.

If they’re really rebranding, I wonder if they’ll go with something more generic like “Comedy Channel” or try something bold and fresh? Either way, they’ll need to nail the new vibe if they’re dropping a name as iconic as Paramount Comedy.

I’ll be glued to this thread for updates—this could either be a total win or a massive gamble for the channel. Let’s see what happens!

User3:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

Wait, they’re ditching Paramount Comedy? 😲 That’s a shocker! I had no idea this was happening. While I think the brand could use some modernizing (it’s been stuck in “quirky early 2000s” mode for a while), the Paramount Comedy name is SO recognizable. Changing it seems risky!

If I had to guess, they might be leaning towards something edgier or more straightforward to attract younger viewers. Maybe it’ll be something like “Comedy Central UK”? They’ve already got that name in the US, so it’d make sense to align everything under one global brand. Just a theory!

Anyone else worried they might accidentally lose the uniqueness that made Paramount Comedy fun in the first place?

User4:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

OMG, @User3’s theory about “Comedy Central UK” might actually be on the money. I wouldn’t be surprised if Viacom is finally trying to streamline their comedy branding across all regions. Could this be a dramatic attempt to bring the UK channel in line with the US Comedy Central?

If that’s the case, I’ll kinda miss all the quirky idents and branding Paramount Comedy had. It’s genuinely one of the reasons I stuck with the channel for so long—they really leaned into the fun, offbeat side of comedy. If they switch to “Comedy Central” and go all corporate, I’m going to be gutted. 😭

That said, a fresh name could bring in bigger shows and a stronger identity, so… cautiously optimistic? Can’t wait to see how this turns out!

User5:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

Wow, big news! I hadn’t heard about this until now, but I agree—it’s got to be something like “Comedy Central”. Paramount Comedy naming themselves after their US counterpart makes total sense from a branding perspective. They’ve already started airing a lot of the same shows that Comedy Central is known for (South Park, The Daily Show, etc.), so aligning the names might just be the next logical step.

Still, I’ll really miss the weird, whimsical feel of Paramount Comedy. If this rebrand drops the quirky animations and that goofy cat mascot, I’ll be crushed. 😔 Here’s hoping they carry some of the soul of the channel into whatever the new name and identity ends up being.

User1:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

Loving all your responses, y’all! @User3 and @User5, I think you’re onto something with the “Comedy Central UK” idea. It’s been feeling like Viacom was testing this for a while—expanding the lineup to include US hits like South Park and aligning it more with Comedy Central’s style. They might be consolidating the brand globally, which could definitely have its advantages.

Still… I can’t help but feel nostalgic for Paramount Comedy’s identity. That wacky, offbeat humor really made it stand out, and I’d hate for it to lose that uniqueness if the rebrand leans too corporate or generic. Fingers crossed they keep some of that charm alive!

Let me know if you hear anything else—April 6 feels so far away now, lol. 😅

User6:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

I’m absolutely betting it’s “Comedy Central UK.” Viacom’s been unifying brands left and right with their international properties, so it seems like the obvious move here. If they do rebrand, I wouldn’t be surprised if they double down on US content—like we see even more South Park, The Daily Show, and maybe some expanded late-night comedy blocks.

The downside is if it means losing that uniquely British/quirky flavor that Paramount Comedy brought to the table. One thing I always loved about the channel was how random and hilarious their idents were (seriously, who else misses the skateboarding dolphin?). Fingers crossed they don’t completely rewrite the channel’s personality.

User3:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

If it really is “Comedy Central UK,” I’ll just say this—I hope they still give the UK branch its own unique voice, rather than making it purely a carbon copy of the US version. Comedy Central is a strong global brand name, no doubt, but what made Paramount Comedy so lovable was how it felt… kind of scrappy? Like it embraced being weirdly British and quirky in its own way.

If this marks a massive boost to programming quality, I’ll welcome it, but I’m begging Viacom to please leave room for that randomness we all love. Here’s hoping Season 11 Weird Cat Thing survives the rebrand. 😅

User1:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

“Season 11 Weird Cat Thing” needs to be a literal canon event, @User3. 😂 But yeah, I think we’re all on the same page—this is definitely a huge move for Viacom, and it feels like the Paramount Comedy name is about to get phased out completely in favor of something more “global.” Betting it’s Comedy Central UK, but no confirmation yet…

Either way, we’re in for a BIG shakeup, especially depending on what happens with the channel’s branding and personality after April 6. Let’s all keep an eye out for more news—this is going to be a wild ride! 🚀

What’s everyone hoping to see from the new-look channel? More big-name US content? New UK comedies? Or a mix of both? Let’s brainstorm! 🎭

User4:
Subject: Re: Big Changes Headed for Paramount Comedy on April 6—New Name?!

Oh, I’d LOVE to see a mix of UK-originals alongside expanded US imports. Bringing in more Comedy Central hits like Broad City or more stand-up specials would be amazing, but equally, I’d want the UK branch to grow its own voice. Maybe some fresh UK comedy shows, or even revisiting some classic British talent?

Viacom has all the resources now—hopefully, they don’t go full “cookie cutter” with this rebrand. Keep us quirky, Viacom! 🙌

Write a follow up where it is CC, There will be even MORE focus on SP, 2&AHM and Futurama

Forum Post: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Is Becoming Comedy Central UK! (February 20, 2009)

User1:
Subject: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

Hey everyone,
Well, it’s official now—Viacom just confirmed that Paramount Comedy will officially relaunch as Comedy Central UK on April 6, 2009! 🚨🎭 The rumors were spot on, and it looks like this is part of a big global rebranding effort to align the UK channel with the US Comedy Central.

From what I’ve read, they’re planning to put even MORE focus on their biggest hits from the US, including South Park (obviously), Two and a Half Men, and Futurama. It sounds like they’re doubling down on familiar names to boost their “flagship” lineup.

How’s everyone feeling about this? Are you excited for the change, or are you worried Comedy Central UK will lose the quirky charm Paramount Comedy had? Let’s discuss!

User2:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

Wow, big news! I figured it was going to be Comedy Central UK, but it’s still wild to think that the Paramount Comedy era is officially ending. 😭

I’ve always loved the channel’s offbeat personality, but I get why Viacom is making the change—having Comedy Central as a global brand probably makes it way easier to market the channel. Still, I hope they don’t completely lose what made Paramount Comedy fun.

As for South Park, Two and a Half Men, and Futurama becoming the big focus… I’m not too surprised. Those shows are massive draws, especially South Park. I can’t really complain about seeing more Futurama, though—I’ll gladly take more Bender and Fry any day! 😂

But I do feel like the new lineup might lean a little too heavily on US content. Are they going to cut back on any British shows or UK comedy specials to make room for this? I’d hate to lose the balance they used to have.

User3:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

I KNEW IT. This has been coming for years, especially with how much US content they’ve been airing recently. Aligning Paramount Comedy with the US Comedy Central brand was basically inevitable—especially with how big South Park, Futurama, and Two and a Half Men are for them.

I’ll admit, I do feel a little nervous that the quirky elements of Paramount Comedy (like the weird characters and idents) are going to get sidelined in favor of making this feel more “corporate.” BUT, I can’t deny they’re choosing some heavy-hitters for their flagship lineup. South Park is a guaranteed win, and Futurama has a pretty cultish following in the UK, so those will probably bring in a ton of viewers.

Overall… cautiously optimistic? I’ll miss Paramount Comedy, but I’m willing to give Comedy Central UK a chance!

User4:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

Honestly, I’m not surprised by this at all—it makes sense for Viacom to streamline everything under the Comedy Central brand, especially since the US channel is so iconic. But at the same time, I am really going to miss the unique vibe Paramount Comedy had. 😕

Still, I can’t lie—seeing a bigger focus on South Park, Futurama, and Two and a Half Men does make sense. Those shows are insanely popular, and I’m betting this will attract a much wider audience. Plus, I’m curious if they’re going to bring over even more US Comedy Central shows, like The Daily Show or newer ones like Broad City.

I just hope they don’t completely abandon British comedy or the quirky branding we loved about Paramount Comedy. I think a balance between US hits and UK humor would be perfect—fingers crossed they don’t lean too hard into the American stuff.

User5:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

Wow, it’s really happening… RIP to Paramount Comedy! 😢 I’ll definitely miss the random, offbeat vibe the channel had (seriously, where else would you see skateboarding dolphins turn into a channel logo?), but I get why Viacom is doing this. Comedy Central is a global juggernaut, so slapping that name on the UK channel is obviously a smart business move.

I can’t say I’m mad about more Futurama and South Park, though. Those shows are classics, and they’ve always brought in big audiences. I feel like Two and a Half Men has a decent following too, even if it’s not as “cult-status” as the other two. If this means more consistency and some bigger comedy specials on the channel, I’m all for it!

That being said… where does this leave the weirder, British side of Paramount Comedy? Will they still do quirky UK-focused shows, or is it going to be all about US content now? Hoping the rebrand doesn’t erase the personality entirely.

User1:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

Great to see so many thoughts rolling in! I kind of agree with the general consensus—it’s bittersweet. Paramount Comedy had such a specific flavor that made it special, and it’s hard to believe it’ll be gone after April 6. That said, I totally get why they’d want to take advantage of Comedy Central’s name—it’s a massive brand globally, and attaching to it might help Five (and Viacom more broadly) bring in even larger audiences.

And like you all mentioned, focusing on shows like South Park, Futurama, and Two and a Half Men definitely makes sense from a strategy point of view. Those are comedic heavyweights, and I bet Viacom knows they’ll be big hooks for viewers. If they can expand the lineup even further and bring in more US blockbusters, this could actually work out really well.

I just hope the channel still has some space for British comedy—it would suck if we completely lost that balance in the transition. Here’s hoping Comedy Central UK still leaves room for some UK-specific charm amidst all the US imports! 🙃

User6:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

This feels like the end of an era, honestly. 😢 Paramount Comedy’s quirky little channel mascot (RIP, Weird Cat Thing!) and idents made it one of the most memorable TV brands. I have a lot of good memories attached to it. That said, I think this move has the potential to be a step forward, even if it’s a bit sad for longtime fans.

Leaning into South Park, Futurama, and Two and a Half Men is super smart—I mean, those shows have HUGE followings, and Comedy Central UK's focus on them will probably reel in viewers who might not even be aware of the channel yet. Long-term, I can see this working!

Here’s hoping they don’t completely lose the comedy magic that made Paramount Comedy feel so special. Bringing over more US hits is great, but maybe they’ll surprise us and introduce some fresh UK content too? Let’s see what happens after April 6… fingers crossed they knock this out of the park! 🎭

User4:
Subject: Re: It’s Official—Paramount Comedy Rebrands to Comedy Central UK on April 6!

I feel like I’m going to be emotional when April 6 rolls around. RIP to the randomness and whimsy of Paramount Comedy! But yeah, if the rebrand gets us even more South Park and Futurama, I think I can make peace with it, haha. 😅

Still crossing my fingers that Comedy Central UK doesn’t lose the quirky edge Paramount Comedy was known for. Let’s hope Viacom surprises us by keeping a little of that weirdness alive!

What’s everyone most excited (or worried) about with the rebrand? Let’s chat! 🛹🐱

Write a follow up asking are we really losing the mascots

Forum Post: Are We Really Losing the Mascots with the Comedy Central Rebrand? (February 21, 2009)

User1:
Subject: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

Hey everyone,
So now that it’s confirmed Paramount Comedy is becoming Comedy Central UK on April 6, I’ve got to ask—are we really losing the iconic channel mascots? 😭 I’m talking about the Weird Cat Thing with the TV for a head, the skateboarding dolphin, those black rabbits with pink eyes, and all the other bizarre animated friends that made Paramount Comedy feel so unique.

I know the rebrand is focused on aligning the UK channel with the US Comedy Central, but I can’t help but feel like losing those mascots would erase a lot of what made the channel’s branding fun and memorable. Is there any confirmation on whether they’re keeping any of the quirky visuals—or are we heading for a more “corporate” vibe?

I’m genuinely going to miss them if they’re gone! 😢

User2:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

Honestly, User1, I’ve been wondering the same thing! I’m still holding on to a tiny bit of hope that they’ll find a way to incorporate some of those mascots into the rebrand, even if it’s just in a smaller capacity. Like, could they at least let Weird Cat Thing hang out in a corner somewhere?!

But realistically, I have a feeling we’re heading for a clean slate. Comedy Central in the US doesn’t really do mascots like Paramount Comedy did, so I’m guessing the UK version will follow that more streamlined, polished vibe. It’s a shame because the mascots were such a big part of the channel’s charm—they made it stand out from other comedy channels with their weird, random humor.

RIP to the skateboarding dolphin and the black rabbits in advance. 💔

User3:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

Oh no, it’s dawning on me now—if Paramount Comedy is really going full Comedy Central UK, they probably are dropping all the mascots. 😭 This feels like the end of an era for quirky TV branding. I totally agree with you, User1—the mascots, especially Weird Cat Thing, gave the channel so much personality and made it feel like such a fun little oddball corner of TV.

I get that Viacom is trying to make the channel “fit” with the global Comedy Central brand, which has a much sleeker and more formal style… but is it so bad to be a little different? Losing the mascots feels like we’re losing part of what actually made me want to stick with Paramount Comedy in the first place. If everything gets flattened into the same look as the US channel, I’m worried Comedy Central UK will lose that lovable randomness that made Paramount Comedy so special. 😢

Let’s start a petition to save Weird Cat Thing, lol.

User4:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

I can’t believe we’ve reached the point where we might have to say goodbye to Weird Cat Thing and his quirky friends. Like, he’s an icon! A mascot with a literal TV for a head? That’s as Paramount Comedy as it gets. 🐱📺

I haven’t seen anything officially confirming the mascots are gone, but everything about the rebrand points toward Comedy Central UK going for a more polished, US-inspired style. I mean, Comedy Central doesn’t even use mascots—they’re all about bold text, sleek graphics, and clips from their shows taking center stage. No way our skateboarding dolphin fits into that vibe. 😔

I get why they’re doing it, but it still stings. If the rebrand really is wiping the slate clean, they should at least run a farewell montage of all the mascots leading up to April 6. It’s the least they could do.

User5:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

This thread is making me emotional—I really hadn’t thought about how much I’d miss the mascots until now. 😭 Weird Cat Thing, the skateboarding dolphin, the rabbits, the toaster ident… all those little details gave Paramount Comedy so much personality. Without them, it’s just another channel.

I think Viacom’s probably way more focused on aligning the UK channel with the US brand and making everything look “clean” and global, but I really hope they find a way to keep some nods to the past. At least the idents or bumpers could still have a little of that quirky flair, right? Or is this goodbye for good?

Excuse me while I go watch old Paramount Comedy bumpers on YouTube. 😢

User1:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

@User4, a farewell montage of all the mascots would be AMAZING! Like, imagine Weird Cat Thing waving goodbye while the skateboarding dolphin does one last trick, and all the black rabbits hop off into the sunset. It would be the perfect send-off if Viacom really is retiring them for good.

That said, I still hope they find a way to bring some of that weirdness into Comedy Central UK, even if the rebranding goes for a sleeker look overall. The mascots gave the channel such a unique identity—it just won’t feel the same without at least a little touch of that randomness.

If anyone spots any updates about the branding, let us know! Maybe there’s still hope for Weird Cat Thing and friends… 😅

User6:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

I can’t believe we’re losing the mascots—they were literally part of what MADE Paramount Comedy. 😭 I think we all knew deep down that the rebrand would probably phase them out, but it still hurts to see them go. Weird Cat Thing practically carried the channel’s vibe on his… tail? Head? Whatever, he’s the GOAT. 🐱📺

I agree with @User5, though—the whole toaster and skateboarding dolphin thing gave Paramount Comedy so much more character than your average channel. I really hope Comedy Central UK doesn’t become too buttoned-up. Comedy, by definition, should have a touch of chaos!

Maybe they’ll surprise us with a new mascot or a revamped version of one of the old ones? I can dream, right?

User3:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

@User6, if they don’t at least give Weird Cat Thing a proper send-off, we riot. 😂 I can’t imagine the new Comedy Central UK keeping any of the old mascots, but I do feel like Viacom underestimated how much personality they brought to the channel. Losing them might actually alienate the loyal fans who loved Paramount Comedy for its quirky vibe.

Still, who knows? Maybe the rebrand will bring some fresh ideas that can fill the mascot-shaped hole in my heart. Comedy Central idents DO tend to be snappy and fun—it just won’t be the same without a dolphin doing a 360 kickflip mid-joke bumper. 🛹

User1:
Subject: Re: Are We Really Saying Goodbye to the Mascots?!

Y’all, I’m so happy to see we’re all on the same page about this. Losing Weird Cat Thing, the dolphin, and the rabbits is going to hit HARD, but at least it feels like the Paramount Comedy community knows how much they meant to us. 🐱🛹

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a surprise inclusion in the rebranded lineup—and if nothing else, let’s hope they give the mascots their flowers in some kind of farewell tribute. These crazy little characters deserve a proper send-off! ❤️👏

Write a follow up on March 5, New bumpers begin, with the characters deathly sick

Forum Post: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Are… Weirdly Dark? (March 5, 2009)

User1:
Subject: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Hey everyone,
So… has anyone else seen the new bumpers that just debuted today as part of the slow transition to Comedy Central UK? Because wow, they’re kind of… unsettling? 😳

It looks like they’re using the old Paramount Comedy mascots—Weird Cat Thing, the skateboarding dolphin, and the black rabbits—but instead of their usual quirky vibe, they all look deathly sick. Like, I just saw one where Weird Cat Thing’s screen-head is cracked and flickering while he coughs up static, and another where the skateboarding dolphin literally falls off its board, wheezing as it tries to get up.

This is so bizarre. Are they… killing off the mascots as part of the rebrand? I get that they’re trying to mark the end of an era, but this feels so dark. What’s everyone’s take on this? Am I the only one weirded out?

User2:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Wait, WHAT?! I haven’t seen these yet, but what you’re describing sounds absolutely bonkers. 😳 Killing off the mascots?? I was already sad enough knowing they were likely being retired for the rebrand, but this sounds so dark it’s almost creepy.

Like, why not just send them off in a fun, celebratory way instead of making them “deathly sick”? Weird Cat Thing coughing up static? The dolphin falling off his skateboard? What are they even going for here—comedy or tragedy? I need to see this for myself because wow. 😲

User3:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Okay, I just saw one of these bumpers, and I can confirm—this is WEIRD. I caught the one with the black rabbits, and they look so run-down and frail, with pink eyes glowing dimly as they stumble around in slow motion. It ends with them collapsing into a pile as the screen fades to black. Like… what???

It’s almost like they’re treating the mascots like actual characters who are “dying” as part of the transition to Comedy Central UK. On one hand, I do appreciate the creativity and the sense of finality—but on the other hand, this feels unnecessarily grim for a comedy channel. Were they going for dark humor? I can’t tell! 🐱🛹🐇

User4:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Y’all, I just watched the one with the skateboarding dolphin, and you weren’t kidding—this is so dark. The poor dolphin just barely pushes its skateboard forward before collapsing into a puddle of water, wheezing like it’s on its last breath. Then the bumper just abruptly cuts to a "Comedy Central UK Coming April 6" logo. What the heck are they thinking?? 😲

I get wanting to "retire" the mascots, but these bumpers genuinely have a grim vibe that feels out of place for what should’ve been a bittersweet but fun farewell. Comedy should be funny, not depressing… right?

User5:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

I JUST watched the Weird Cat Thing bumper, and I’m honestly more disturbed than amused. The poor cat's screen was glitching like crazy, its tail looked limp, and it literally collapsed to the floor at the end while a distorted laugh track played. What even IS this tone?! 😨

It feels like Paramount Comedy is trying to be edgy and make a statement about “leaving the old channel behind,” but this feels way too bleak for a farewell. I genuinely feel bad for the mascots—they deserved better! Why not give us funny, heartfelt goodbyes instead of whatever this is supposed to be? 😔

User1:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Right?! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels weirded out by this. I was expecting a quirky send-off with some of their classic humor, not… this grim, almost tragic farewell tour. Like, who thought mascots coughing and collapsing was the right tone for a comedy rebrand??

I don’t even know how to feel about the transition anymore. I was cautiously optimistic about the change to Comedy Central UK, but now it’s just putting me on edge. What if this darker vibe carries over to the new channel’s identity? I don’t want Comedy Central UK to feel grim and cold. Fingers crossed this is just a weird transitional phase…

User6:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Okay, I’ve now seen three of these bumpers—Weird Cat Thing, the rabbits, and the dolphin—and I am officially haunted. 😅

I don’t know if they were going for dark satire or what, but this feels like one of those "Did this really happen?" moments I’ll be telling people about years from now. It’s so unnecessarily bleak, and it doesn’t really fit with Comedy Central or comedy in general, to be honest.

I feel like these mascots deserved a FUN send-off, not a series of morbid visuals where they’re basically fading away. Viacom, what is the vision here? Because I’m confused. 😕

User3:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Same, @User6—I don’t even know how to process these bumpers. It’s like watching a weirdly sad parody of the end of an era. Do you think they’ll all “officially die” on April 6 when Comedy Central UK launches? 😅

I was cautiously optimistic about the rebrand before, but now I’m kind of dreading it. If the mascots taught us anything, it’s that this channel used to embrace its weird, fun side. Please don’t let Comedy Central UK be all doom and gloom like these bumpers—I need to laugh again after this! 😂

User5:
Subject: Re: New Comedy Central UK Bumpers Have Started… and the Mascots Are Deathly Sick?!

Oh God. Are we seriously building up to April 6 with all the mascots slowly dying across the next month? This feels unhinged in the weirdest way possible. 🐱📺

I’ll admit it’s memorable, but Viacom missed a huge opportunity to make these bumpers FUNNY. Goodbye doesn’t have to mean bleak tragedy—it could’ve been goofy or ironic instead! Now I’m just feeling bad for our beloved mascots. 😭

Someone please bring back Weird Cat Thing for one last happy skateboarding montage before April 6. He deserves better. 😢

Write a follow up on April 6, PC on autopilot Friends marathon mode, the bumpers are eeiree, the characters from the bumpers are dead

Forum Post: Paramount Comedy's Final Day Is Haunting—Dead Mascots and Friends on Loop (April 6, 2009)

User1:
Subject: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

So… Paramount Comedy’s final day ever officially feels like a fever dream. I turned on the channel this morning to see what they’d do for the big goodbye, and it’s just gone completely off the rails. First off, it’s running on autopilot mode with a never-ending Friends marathon. Don’t get me wrong, I love Friends, but it’s like they gave up entirely and programmed the whole day to loop episodes until the rebrand kicks in at midnight.

But the most unsettling part? The bumpers. I don’t know who greenlit this, but the bumpers they’re using between Friends episodes are seriously eerie. All the old Paramount Comedy mascots—Weird Cat Thing, the skateboarding dolphin, the black rabbits—are straight-up dead. Like, these aren't "funny" or "quirky" in any way. They’re dark, silent, and honestly kinda chilling.

One bumper had Weird Cat Thing lying motionless on the ground with its screen cracked and static buzzing faintly. Another showed the skateboarding dolphin washed up on a beach, completely still with its board drifting away. I even saw one where the black rabbits were just lying in a heap, lifeless, and the camera slowly zoomed out until it faded to black.

Is this supposed to be symbolic? Funny? Satirical? I genuinely can’t tell. This is the strangest send-off I’ve ever seen for a TV channel. What does everyone else think??

User2:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

Oh my GOD, I'm so glad you posted this because I thought I was imagining things. I turned on Paramount Comedy earlier and saw exactly what you're describing. Friends is playing on an endless loop, and yeah, the bumpers are SUPER creepy. 😳

I saw the Weird Cat Thing one earlier—it’s just lying there, sparking gently like it’s completely out of life. The lack of music (or any sound at all, really) just makes everything feel so eerie. Honestly, it almost feels like they’re trying to traumatize their audience on the channel’s final day. Why wouldn’t they do something... I don’t know, HAPPY? This feels more like a funeral than a farewell!

The whole vibe is just… unsettling. What are they even trying to say about the rebrand? That everything we loved about Paramount Comedy is dead now?? Not exactly inspiring confidence about Comedy Central UK. 😬

User3:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

Yup, I’ve been watching all morning, and it's just getting weirder. Friends has been looping nonstop (like, how many times can I hear "We were on a break!" in one day?), but the bumpers are something else entirely. The skateboarding dolphin one felt especially haunting—the way it’s just lying there on the sand, with its skateboard floating away in the waves? It’s so… bleak.

I honestly don’t know what they were thinking with this. Paramount Comedy was always fun, quirky, and RANDOM. But these bumpers? They’re depressing, uncomfortable, and way too dark for a comedy channel. If this is supposed to symbolize the "death" of the old brand, they’ve taken it waaay too far. Was it really this hard to throw together a fun, nostalgic farewell instead of making us sit through this weird funeral procession?

User4:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

Oh no, not the black rabbits! I just saw their bumper… and it’s devastating??? 😭 It’s literally just a slow pan over their lifeless bodies, all crumpled in a heap on the ground with no sound whatsoever. It’s so quiet and still that I actually felt uncomfortable watching it. It’s like they’re trying to make us feel guilty for saying goodbye to Paramount Comedy!

And yeah, @User3, the Friends marathon is not helping. It’s starting to feel more and more dystopian every time I hear the theme song. This whole day feels weirdly disturbing for a comedy channel send-off. What’s the vibe here supposed to be? Hopelessness? Because that’s all I’m getting. 😂

RIP to the mascots, I guess. They didn’t deserve to go out like this. 💔

User5:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

I’m so relieved other people are finding this as unsettling as I am! The bumpers are genuinely creeping me out. I just saw the one with Weird Cat Thing lying on its side, and I SWEAR its screen flickered for just a second before going completely black. Add the endless Friends marathon to the mix, and it feels like we’re stuck in some weird purgatory. 😅

What’s bizarre is how deliberate this all feels. Someone at Viacom clearly thought this "death and decay" angle was a good idea, but like… why? Why not celebrate the channel’s legacy with some funny callbacks or highlight reels? All this does is make me even sadder about losing Paramount Comedy and a little wary of what Comedy Central UK is going to bring.

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

@User5, totally agree—this is not what I expected from the final day of Paramount Comedy! I was gearing up for something nostalgic, maybe a fun montage of all their quirky moments, and instead we’re getting this haunting funeral procession for the mascots. Like, I understand the idea of marking the "end of one era" and the "birth of another," but did they really have to go this dark with it?

And you're right, the Friends marathon just adds to the weirdness. It’s like a looped laugh track trying (and failing) to mask the fact that everything else about the channel is literally crumbling around it. RIP to the mascots, RIP to Paramount Comedy, and RIP to my ability to process whatever this tone is supposed to be.

At this point, I’m both excited and VERY nervous to see what happens when the switch to Comedy Central UK happens at midnight. Let’s hope it’s worth this bizarre send-off.

User6:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

I’m officially creeped out. I watched the dolphins bumper earlier, and now I just saw the black rabbits one @User4 mentioned—it’s weirdly impactful how silent these are. It genuinely feels like I’m watching little funeral vignettes. Just… why? 😔

The Friends marathon, meanwhile, is tipping into surreal territory. I’m so conditioned to hearing the theme song over and over now that it feels like it’s mocking the sadness of the bumpers. Like a weird unintentional comedy/tragedy mashup. What a STRANGE way to end a channel that was so fun and lighthearted for most of its life.

Here’s hoping Comedy Central UK actually starts fresh at midnight and wipes away whatever this final, offbeat funeral energy is. Bring on the new vibes, PLEASE. 🙏

User1:
Subject: Re: Paramount Comedy's Final Day—What Is Happening Right Now?!

I’m glad we’re all on the same page here—this final day is somehow managing to be both unsettling AND weirdly fascinating. I can't stop watching, but I’m also kind of emotionally exhausted from the mascots "dying" in every bumper. 😅

Let’s just hope Comedy Central UK at least acknowledges how confusing and eerie this has all been when they launch at midnight. If they don’t have some kind of sharp, fresh branding to contrast all this weirdness, I might just throw my remote at the TV. 😂

RIP Paramount Comedy, 1995–2009. You were quirky, you were random, and you gave us some of the most endearing mascots ever. Sorry your final day had to be so… haunting. 💔 #WeirdCatThingForever 🐱📺

Write a reply where those bumpers are by Viacom themselves, leaving the studio out of the equation, Apparently they told Viacom not to dfo this

Forum Post: So Viacom Made These Creepy Bumpers? The Studio Warned Them Not To?! (April 6, 2009)

User7:
Subject: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

Okay, this whole Paramount Comedy funeral day just got even weirder. I was talking to a friend who works in branding (massive TV nerd like us), and they said the studio that originally created the Paramount Comedy mascots actually warned Viacom NOT to do these grim bumpers. Turns out, Viacom apparently took the whole concept into their own hands to “handle the transition” and completely sidestepped the studio’s input. 🤯

So Weird Cat Thing, the skateboarding dolphin, and the black rabbits didn’t even get their farewell handled by the people who originally made them?! Viacom just went rogue and turned the poor mascots’ send-off into this creepy death-spiral montage? I’m more unsettled now than I was before. Why ignore the experts who KNOW how to handle those characters??

User1:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

Wait, WHAT?? The studio that created the mascots didn’t even have a say in these bumpers?? That explains so much, honestly. The tone of these bumpers is so far removed from the quirky, fun way the characters were originally portrayed—it always felt like something was off.

I cannot believe Viacom went ahead with this grim idea anyway, especially after the studio warned them not to. Like, why would you completely ditch the people who helped define the mascots’ identities in the first place? This feels super disrespectful to both the mascots and the fans who loved them. Those poor characters deserved a fun, quirky farewell—not this unnecessarily dark, cough-and-collapse drama! 😤

User2:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

This just went from weird to straight-up infuriating. 😡 If the studio that originally created Weird Cat Thing and the rest of the gang suggested NOT going in this direction, why in the world did Viacom think they knew better?! The mascots were one of the most beloved parts of Paramount Comedy, and the studio clearly understood how much the fans appreciated their quirky humor and lighthearted style.

But instead of leaning on that expertise, Viacom decided to steamroll that vision and gave us… this. Like, what part of “dead mascots” screamed “appropriate farewell for a beloved comedy channel”? Losing respect for Viacom fast over here.

User4:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

Wow, this makes so much sense but also makes me so MAD. 😤 It’s like Viacom completely missed the point of what made people love these mascots in the first place. The weird, offbeat charm of Weird Cat Thing, the dolphin, and the rabbits was always about FUN, not morbid symbolism or “edgy” attempts at closure.

If the studio that created the mascots knew this wasn’t the way to go, why wouldn’t Viacom listen? It’s their own fault these bumpers feel so disconnected from the channel's history. They could’ve had a truly celebratory send-off, but instead, they went for grim darkness. Such a missed opportunity. 😢

User5:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

Ugh, finding out the studio tried to steer Viacom away from this just makes the bumpers feel 10 times worse. 😬 It’s almost painful to think about how much more fun and meaningful these goodbyes could’ve been if the people who actually created the mascots had been involved. Weird Cat Thing deserved to skateboard off into a stylish sunset, not glitch out and collapse on the floor like a forgotten video file!

Viacom obviously wanted to make a “big statement” about the end of Paramount Comedy, but this was such a huge misfire. They could’ve celebrated everything the mascots represented instead of literally killing them off in the most depressing way possible. I guess "leave it to the experts" isn’t in Viacom’s playbook. 🙄

User1:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

Exactly, @User5—the fact that the studio likely had thoughtful and creative ideas for the mascots’ farewell makes what we actually got feel even worse. Like, what kind of bold arrogance does it take to ignore the people who KNOW how to handle this stuff? Instead, we get this grim spectacle that feels completely tone-deaf for the channel and characters we loved.

It’s so frustrating to think about what could’ve been. A fun, lighthearted tribute to Paramount Comedy’s legacy and mascots could’ve been such a wonderful send-off, but instead, Viacom gave us funeral bumpers and a dystopian Friends marathon. Sigh. RIP to what SHOULD have been. 😭

User3:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

I’m genuinely baffled that Viacom thought this creepy death-fest was a good idea after being explicitly warned against it. Like, how out-of-touch do you have to be to completely ignore what made Paramount Comedy special for so many fans in the first place? “Let’s kill off every quirky mascot in the most upsetting way possible” was probably the worst way to say goodbye, and somehow, they didn’t get that.

I hope Viacom realizes how badly they botched this when Comedy Central UK launches. The channel is already starting on a sour note for a lot of loyal fans, and ignoring the studio’s advice just makes it worse. Fingers crossed the new look can at least redeem this messy transition somewhat. 😬

User6:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

This is so disappointing to hear. 😔 The thing that always made Paramount Comedy special wasn’t just the shows they aired—it was the personality and charm they poured into everything else, from their mascots to their quirky idents. And now, Viacom has completely stripped all of that away in the most bizarre, dark, and unsettling way possible.

I honestly hope someone from the original studio spills the tea about what their ideas for the send-off were, because I bet they would’ve been a thousand times better than what we got. Imagine if Weird Cat Thing, the dolphin, and the rabbits rode off into the sunset together instead of, you know, dying horrifically for no reason? 😭 What a letdown.

User1:
Subject: Re: Wait, Viacom Made the Bumpers Themselves? And They Ignored the Studio's Advice?

Ugh, you’re all so right—it’s hard to wrap my head around how poorly managed this was. I just keep thinking about the studio sitting there like, “Hey, maybe we don’t need to massacre the mascots,” while Viacom charged full speed ahead into “grim mascot apocalypse” mode. It’s such a disservice to the legacy of Paramount Comedy, and it honestly just left a bad taste in my mouth.

I don’t know if Comedy Central UK has anything up its sleeve to make up for this botched transition, but they’re going to have to work really hard to repair the goodwill Paramount Comedy built over the years. Hopefully the new identity is strong enough to win us back… but honestly, today’s haunting send-off has left me feeling pretty skeptical about what’s next. 😕

Write a tweet wuth the studio screwed here

🚨 Turns out the dark, eerie bumpers on Paramount Comedy’s final day weren’t the studio’s idea—they WARNED Viacom not to do this! 💔 Viacom sidelined the creators of Weird Cat Thing & co., leaving us with unsettling “dead mascots” farewells instead of a proper send-off. What a mess. 😞 #RIPParamountComedy #WeirdCatThing

Write a tweet reminding you who the studio is

🎨 Just a reminder: the brilliant mascots from Paramount Comedy—Weird Cat Thing, the skateboarding dolphin, and more—were all brought to life by animation legends 12Foot6! 🐱🛹 Known for their quirky, boundary-pushing style, they created some of the most memorable channel branding ever. 🙌 #12Foot6 #ParamountComedy #AnimationIcons

Write a conversation where at 9pm, CC launches with yet another "mourn" bumper before revealling thw all new all different CC

Forum Post: Comedy Central UK Launches with... Another "Mourn" Bumper?!
(April 6, 2009 - 9 PM)

User1:
Subject: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

So, I just watched the clock tick over to 9 PM, expecting Comedy Central UK to launch with a bang—and they started it with another one of those morbid "mourning" bumpers! 🤯 This one featured all the mascots together in an even WEIRDER scenario before the actual Comedy Central logo popped up.

They made it feel like some sort of creepy funeral procession: Weird Cat Thing was wheeled out on a trolley, his screen totally shattered, while the skateboarding dolphin (still "dead") rolled by on its skateboard like it was a coffin. The black rabbits were just standing there looking hauntingly "alive" but eerily frozen, and the whole thing was silent except for faint static.

Then at the very end, BAM—huge dramatic reveal of the new Comedy Central UK logo with upbeat music and bright colors. The tone shift was so jarring I almost got whiplash! Like, why drag out that funeral vibe AGAIN before launching this "all-new, all-different" Comedy Central? What did everyone else think??

User2:
Subject: Re: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

Oh, wow... I saw that bumper too, and I’m still trying to process what just happened. I mean, they’ve been leaning into the whole "death of the mascots" thing all day, so I kind of expected this to be the final act of that strange play, but wow—it was probably the darkest one yet. It was so surreal watching Weird Cat Thing being wheeled out like some kind of tech corpse. 🐱📺

That said, the launch of Comedy Central UK itself was SUCH a tone shift! As soon as the logo flashed onto the screen, they played this super upbeat music and cut to a flashy trailer showcasing big shows like South Park, Futurama, Two and a Half Men, and even The Daily Show. It’s like they spent 30 seconds making us mourn the old channel before yelling, "Okay, time to party now!"

Honestly, I'm torn—I love the slick Comedy Central UK branding, but that final bumper left me feeling uneasy. 😂

User3:
Subject: Re: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

I’m right there with you, @User2! That whole funeral-vibe bumper was so unsettling. Watching all the mascots completely lifeless in their final form felt unnecessarily dark, especially when it immediately cut to the super-happy Comedy Central UK promo reel. Like, pick a mood, Viacom! 😅

The bumper itself gave me chills, though. The silence, the eerie staging of Weird Cat Thing, the frozen black rabbits—it was like they were doubling down on making the audience "finish grieving" before allowing the new channel to kick off. I almost wish they’d skipped that part and gone straight to the colorful, upbeat launch instead. The whiplash was real, but at least Comedy Central UK looks promising so far!

User4:
Subject: Re: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

WHAT was THAT?! I tuned in expecting a fun, clean launch into the new Comedy Central UK, and instead, I get "Mascot Funeral: The Finale." 😳 I agree with everyone saying the tone was all over the place—the slow, mourning bumper was SO uncomfortable, especially with Weird Cat Thing’s screen cracked beyond recognition and the dolphin being all lifeless and wheeled out. It felt like something out of a horror movie instead of the opening to a comedy channel! 🐬

But then... boom. Full-color explosion, bright neon Comedy Central logo, and upbeat music as if the last few seconds of mourning never happened. I’ll admit, the new CC branding is sleek and polished, but they did NOT need to drag us through one last round of sad mascots to get there. Couldn’t we just have had a happy handover? 💔

User5:
Subject: Re: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

So I wasn’t alone in thinking that was the WEIRDEST launch transition ever. That bumper might’ve been the strangest one yet—seriously, Weird Cat Thing on a trolley wheeled off like a broken relic?? Who thought this was the best way to wrap up an end-of-era tribute??

Then the transition to the Comedy Central UK logo was just so... abrupt. One second, it’s dead mascots in grayscale, and the next, we’re hit with blinding colors, peppy music, and clips from South Park and Futurama. Like, don’t get me wrong, the new CC vibe is clean, bold, and modern, but couldn’t they have done that without literally depressing everyone first?

Still, I’m curious to see what the channel does from here. Hopefully, they embrace the FUN side of comedy and let the sadness of today’s farewell stuff fade far into the past. 😅

User1:
Subject: Re: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

Honestly, I’m still haunted by the final bumper. 😭 The funeral procession vibe was way too heavy for a comedy channel launch, especially when they immediately shifted gears into the energetic Comedy Central UK trailer. I mean, I love South Park and Futurama as much as anyone, but after THAT bumper, I kinda needed a moment to recover.

That said, I do think the new CC branding looks slick, and the lineup they teased actually seems pretty exciting. If they can give us the laughs we need after today’s emotional rollercoaster, I might forgive them for traumatizing us. Here’s hoping this was just a rocky start and not a sign of weird tonal issues going forward!

User6:
Subject: Re: Comedy Central UK Launched... But Not Without One More Sad Bumper?!

The bumper was INSANE—I couldn't believe how far they took the "death of the mascots" thing. Seeing Weird Cat Thing and the dolphin like that felt so unnecessary and heavy-handed. It’s like, I get what they were going for thematically, but yikes! Maybe don’t make comedy fans feel like they wandered into a funeral before launching a new channel?

That said, once the new Comedy Central UK branding kicked in, I felt a little better. The trailer made the channel look sleek and modern, and I’m excited to see so much focus on heavy-hitters like South Park, Two and a Half Men, and Futurama. It feels like they’re gearing up to be a powerhouse in comedy... but wow, what an uncomfortable way to start. 😂

RIP mascots. You deserved better, and I’ll never look at Weird Cat Thing the same way again. 🐱📺

Write a follow up where promos straight up say PC is DEAD!

Forum Post: Comedy Central UK Promos Now Straight-Up Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?
(April 6, 2009 - 10 PM)

User1:
Subject: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

Okay, I thought the mascots' "funeral bumpers" were dark enough, but now Comedy Central UK promos are literally shouting it from the rooftops: “PARAMOUNT COMEDY IS DEAD!” 😳 I just saw one during the South Park premiere that flashed those exact words in huge blocky text, complete with a dramatic bell toll sound before cutting to a montage of Comedy Central UK’s flashy new lineup.

It honestly feels a bit excessive at this point. Like, WE GET IT—Paramount Comedy is gone, and it’s the dawn of a new era. But straight-up declaring it “DEAD” feels weirdly aggressive. Are they trying to celebrate this rebrand or bury the old channel as hard as humanly possible? What on Earth is Viacom thinking with this messaging?

User2:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

Wait, WHAT? They actually said it outright?? “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”? That’s… a choice. 😳

I haven’t seen this promo yet, but wow. After all the creepy, mournful bumpers, this sounds like such a jarring shift. Is Viacom just trying to hammer in the fact that they’re ditching Paramount Comedy for good and want us to forget it ever existed? Because this feels unnecessarily harsh, especially considering how many people LOVED the old channel.

I thought the rebrand could’ve been a bittersweet but optimistic transition to Comedy Central UK, but now it just feels like they’re yelling, “Forget the past! Look at all this SHINY NEW STUFF!” I’m not sure I like the vibe they’re going for. 😬

User3:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

Oh, I saw that promo too, and I’m equally baffled. The exact wording was something like, “Paramount Comedy is DEAD! Welcome to Comedy Central UK!” with this dramatic bell toll followed by upbeat pop music as they flashed clips from South Park, Two and a Half Men, and Futurama. It was… a LOT. 😐

I don’t know why Viacom thinks anyone would find this kind of messaging appealing. Sure, we knew Paramount Comedy was being rebranded, but declaring it “DEAD” so brutally feels like they’re intentionally alienating longtime fans. Couldn’t they have gone with something like, “Paramount Comedy evolves into Comedy Central UK!” or “A new chapter begins!”? This feels oddly spiteful. RIP dignity, I guess.

User4:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

Omg, no way—I just saw that promo, and I audibly said, “Jeez, okay.” 😳 Yelling “Paramount Comedy is DEAD” feels so... combative? Not to mention tone-deaf. Like, Paramount Comedy has a lot of nostalgic value for people, and instead of paying tribute or transitioning gracefully, they’re just aggressively burying it six feet under.

The whole vibe feels like Viacom’s screaming, “Get over it! NEW CHANNEL NOW! LOVE IT OR LEAVE!” Super weird way to market a rebrand, especially when so many fans were already sad about losing Paramount Comedy. You’d think they’d want to acknowledge its legacy somewhat instead of desecrating it live on air.

User5:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

I just saw that promo too, and honestly, I laughed, but not in a good way. It was almost TOO over-the-top. The dramatic “DEAD!” declaration, the bell toll, the abrupt hard cut to Comedy Central UK’s neon branding... it all felt like they were trying way too hard to declare independence from Paramount Comedy.

Did Viacom REALLY need to rub it in that much? Like, we get it—the channel is gone, you’ve moved on! But for fans of the weird, whimsical vibe Paramount Comedy had, this feels like pouring salt in the wound. Such a weird marketing choice. 😕

User6:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

Oh boy, I just caught the promo, and wow—it was... a lot. “PARAMOUNT COMEDY IS DEAD” in bold letters, followed by that haunting bell sound, literally made me sit up on the couch in shock. Like, was that necessary???

If Viacom’s goal was to make a statement, mission accomplished, I guess. But instead of feeling excited for the new Comedy Central UK, I just feel weirdly disrespected as a fan of the old channel. They could’ve taken a softer tone here, like celebrating the transition instead of acting like Paramount Comedy was trash they couldn’t wait to get rid of. This feels tone-deaf, cold, and a bit mean-spirited, tbh. Just… why?? 😩

User1:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

100% agree with everyone here—this promo feels so unnecessary and weirdly confrontational. I get that Viacom wants to hype up the new Comedy Central UK, but burning the old channel to the ground with all these “DEATH” metaphors feels so extreme.

Like, Paramount Comedy wasn’t just another channel to a lot of us—it had its own identity, its own quirks, and it meant something to fans who grew up watching it. They could’ve handled this change with way more grace and nostalgia instead of aggressively screaming “IT’S DEAD! MOVE ON!”

Viacom, we’re already watching the new channel. You don’t have to yell—it’s okay! 😅

User3:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

I honestly feel like these promos are backfiring. Instead of making me excited about Comedy Central UK, it just reminds me of how much I’m going to MISS Paramount Comedy. 😭

Viacom’s acting like they need to stomp out every trace of the old channel to make this rebrand work, but for fans who grew attached to the quirky little universe Paramount Comedy created (RIP Weird Cat Thing!), all this over-the-top “death” stuff just feels heavy-handed and unnecessary. Comedy should bring us joy—not alienate us with dramatic funeral bells!

User4:
Subject: Re: Umm… Comedy Central UK Promos Are Saying “Paramount Comedy is DEAD”?

Couldn’t have said it better, @User3! There’s a way to rebrand and move forward without completely destroying everything your fans loved about the original. Sure, Comedy Central UK looks slick and modern, but part of me feels like it’s missing the soul that made Paramount Comedy so special.

The promos screaming “DEAD” just cement that feeling. Instead of inviting us into the "new era," it feels like they slammed the door on the old one and told us to get over it. Not exactly the smoothest rebrand I’ve ever seen! 😂

RIP Paramount Comedy. You were weird, you were wonderful, and you deserved a much more respectful goodbye! 🐱📺💔

Write a conversation 2011, they are airing Friends NON STOP, this has been going on since Auvguist 2009

Forum Post: Anyone Else Exhausted by Comedy Central’s Never-Ending Friends Marathon?
(December 6, 2011)

User1:
Subject: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

Okay, I know Friends is iconic and all, but WHY is Comedy Central STILL showing it non-stop? This has been going on since AUGUST 2009, people! 😩 It’s literally been over two years of wall-to-wall Friends, and they’ve barely taken a break from it.

I mean, I love Ross screaming "WE WERE ON A BREAK" as much as anyone, but I’m starting to wonder if Comedy Central just forgot they own other shows. Where’s the variety? Didn’t they promise more South Park, Futurama, and new comedy specials when they rebranded? Are we doomed to live in a perpetual loop of Central Perk and Monica’s apartment forever?

How’s everyone else feeling about this? Because I’m reaching my limit.

User2:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

OMG, thank you for saying this, @User1! I thought I was the only one who noticed how insane this Friends marathon has been. It’s like Comedy Central UK has completely built its identity around this ONE show. 😐 There are only so many times I can watch Ross and Rachel break up before I lose my mind.

The worst part is how predictable it’s gotten—every time I turn on Comedy Central, it’s there. Morning, evening, late-night… doesn’t matter. It’s like they’ve just accepted that Friends is their new flagship and stopped trying to air anything else. I miss when they used to feel like a proper comedy channel instead of "The Friends Network."

Like, come on, Comedy Central—give us SOMETHING else!

User3:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

Yup, same here. I feel like Friends has completely hijacked Comedy Central UK at this point. Don’t get me wrong—it’s a great show, but it’s not the ONLY comedy people want to see. Two years of this is just ridiculous.

And it sucks because when they rebranded in 2009, they were hyping up all these amazing shows—South Park, Futurama, Two and a Half Men. They even teased things like stand-up specials and original UK content. But nope, it’s just Friends all day, every day.

At this rate, they might as well rename the channel to "Friends TV" and call it a day. 🙄

User4:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

Ugh, I KNOW! I’ve been keeping track out of sheer disbelief, and I legit think Comedy Central UK has never broken from this Friends loop since mid-2009. It’s like they realized it was a ratings hit and decided to milk it FOREVER.

And yeah, Friends is good, but this level of overexposure is just exhausting. I used to casually enjoy tuning in for a few episodes here and there, but now I can’t even bear to hear the theme song anymore. I hear those opening claps and want to throw my remote. 👏👏👏👏 STOP!

Honestly, I’d give anything for them to swap it out with other great comedies (we know they have the rights to South Park and Futurama!) instead of pretending Friends is the only series worth watching. Come on, Comedy Central—variety is a thing!

User5:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

I swear, Friends has become a monster they can’t control at this point. It’s like Comedy Central UK accidentally summoned some kind of Friends curse in 2009, and now they’re stuck in an endless time loop of Ross whining about his sandwich. 😂

I love the show as much as the next person, but COME ON. Don’t they realize they’re killing their own lineup by over-relying on it? Where’s the new comedy they promised us with the rebrand? Even putting South Park or comedy specials in rotation more often would help shake things up.

The worst part is that I’ve genuinely started resenting Friends because of this. I can’t even enjoy the show anymore because Comedy Central has burned it into the ground. This isn’t nostalgia—it’s torture.

User1:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

THANK YOU, @User5! The overexposure has completely ruined Friends for me too. I used to love watching it—now it’s like a constant background noise I can’t escape.

Comedy Central UK started off so strong after the rebrand—they had South Park, Futurama, stand-up specials, and they teased all these exciting plans for original shows. Instead, they just clung to Friends like it was their lifeline and gave up on everything else.

I miss when the channel actually felt fresh and varied. Right now, it just feels lazy. Like, how hard is it to mix things up? Give us a little Archer, some stand-up, ANYTHING to break the monotony! I never thought I’d say this, but I honestly miss the randomness of Paramount Comedy.

User6:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

Two. Years. Of. Friends. 😩 I don’t know how Comedy Central hasn’t realized how oversaturated their lineup is at this point. They’ve turned their whole channel into a Friends shrine, and it’s driving me mad.

I get it—Friends is a guaranteed hit with viewers, and reruns probably bring in solid ratings. But at some point, you HAVE to try something else. Comedy Central UK has so much potential, but they’re squandering it by relying on Friends 24/7.

Also, can we talk about how this is impacting other shows they own? South Park and Futurama hardly ever get prime slots anymore because Friends eats up the entire day. Those shows deserve better! Comedy Central needs to break this cycle or they risk becoming a one-trick pony.

User3:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

I’m starting to think they just don’t care anymore. Comedy Central UK seems perfectly happy running Friends into the ground because it’s the easy option. Why put effort into scheduling other great comedies when you can just hit the Friends play button and call it a day?

But seriously, it’s long past time for a change. This channel has access to SO many incredible shows that barely get airtime now. Give us some South Park! Give us BoJack Horseman! Give us literally anything other than Friends 500 times in a row!

Comedy Central's supposed to be about variety and comedy in all its forms—right now, it’s just a glorified sitcom loop.

User1:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

At this point, I don’t even blame Friends for my frustration—I blame Comedy Central UK for refusing to mix things up. 🙃 It’s like they think we won’t notice they’ve turned into "The Friends Channel," but we do—oh, we do.

All I’m asking for is a little variety—a random block of Futurama or South Park shows, maybe a stand-up night once a week, SOMETHING to remind us that Comedy Central UK isn’t just a one-show archive.

Who do we need to yell at to make this happen? Because I’m seriously tempted to start a petition at this point. Enough is enough! 😤

User4:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

Count me in for that petition, @User1—Comedy Central UK desperately needs a reminder that comedy isn’t a one-show genre! Relying on Friends to carry the channel is lazy, shortsighted, and, honestly, disrespectful to all the other great shows waiting on the sidelines.

I can’t even enjoy Friends anymore because of how oversaturated it’s become. Let’s see some variety, Comedy Central—your audience deserves better than this endless loop! Who’s with me? ✋

Write a reply saying you tried something new, and tou failed, just bring back and forget this ordeal ever happene

User7:
Subject: Re: Seriously… Are They STILL Airing Friends Non-Stop!?

Honestly, Comedy Central, it’s time to admit it—you tried something new, and it didn’t work. This Friends overload experiment has FAILED. Sure, it might’ve boosted ratings in the short term back in 2009, but after over two years of the same episodes on repeat, the charm has officially worn off, and your audience is exhausted. 😩

Just bring back some variety already. Let’s pretend this “all Friends, all the time” phase never happened and move on! Dig into your archives, reintroduce some of the creative programming you promised us during the rebrand, and remind us why we used to love Comedy Central UK. Seriously, at this point, ANYTHING other than Friends would feel like a breath of fresh air.

Let’s all agree: the Friends marathon experiment should have ended YEARS ago. Dust off South Park, Futurama, or even stand-up nights, and let’s leave this ordeal in the past where it belongs. 🙃

Write a conversation saying variety was SO MUCH BETTER in the first few months

Forum Post: Does Anyone Else Remember How Great the Variety Was at Comedy Central UK’s Launch? (December 7, 2011)

User1:
Subject: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Ugh, I was just thinking about how much I used to love Comedy Central UK when they first launched back in 2009. The variety back then was AMAZING compared to what we’re stuck with now (aka The Friends Channel™). They actually delivered on their promises, like blocks of South Park, Futurama, Two and a Half Men, and even some stand-up specials. It felt so fresh and exciting—what HAPPENED to that? 😩

Does anyone else remember those early months when it felt like Comedy Central UK was this incredible, well-rounded comedy hub? Why did they abandon it for this endless Friends marathon?

User2:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

YES, I completely agree, @User1! I remember when Comedy Central UK launched, and the schedule actually felt balanced and exciting. South Park marathons, back-to-back Futurama episodes, and those late-night stand-up blocks—they really caught my attention in those first few months.

Friends was certainly in the mix, but it wasn’t dominating every second of airtime like it does now. There was plenty of room for other shows, and it felt like a real comedy channel, not just a sitcom recycling factory. It’s so frustrating to see how far it’s fallen since then. I genuinely miss those days! 😩

User3:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Oh my gosh, YES—Comedy Central UK in those first few months actually felt like a channel with some thought and passion behind it. I specifically remember tuning in for those amazing South Park blocks, catching a few episodes of Futurama, and then seeing, like, a proper comedy special or even something new and surprising later.

And let’s not forget Two and a Half Men got a decent push back then too, which added some contrast to the lineup. It was all just such a good balance of quirky, edgy, and mainstream humor. Now? It’s Friends as far as the eye can see. I genuinely don’t even go to Comedy Central anymore because I already know what’s on before I turn the TV on.

User4:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Oh man, I’d forgotten how AWESOME the early Comedy Central UK lineup was until you brought this up, @User1. It had this dynamic, “there’s something for everyone” energy that made it feel like a go-to channel for all types of comedy—you had edgy cartoons, sitcoms, and live stand-up all sharing the schedule.

Friends was a great addition, sure, but it wasn’t the entire channel. Now, it feels like they’ve dropped the ball entirely and just said, “Eh, this one show gets good ratings, so let’s never stop airing it.” It’s beyond lazy, and they’ve ruined what could’ve been such a great brand. They need to rewind and look at the variety they had when they first started—that’s the Comedy Central UK I want back!

User5:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Ugh, preach! The lineup was SO much better when Comedy Central UK first launched. I distinctly remember telling my friends how it was quickly becoming one of my favorite channels because it wasn’t afraid to mix things up. South Park and Futurama alone gave it edge, and pairing that with more mainstream hits like Two and a Half Men made it feel really balanced.

What I loved most was that there was actually variety depending on the time of day—cartoons in the evening, sitcoms early in the day, and stand-up later at night. Now it’s Friends no matter when you tune in, and the channel’s lost that special something that made it worth watching. Bring back those launch-lineup vibes already!

User1:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

YES to all of this! Back when Comedy Central UK launched, it actually felt like they cared about curating a quality lineup for comedy lovers. You didn’t know exactly what you’d get when you tuned in, but you could trust it would be good—whether it was a South Park marathon, a sharp stand-up special, or even just a random episode of Futurama.

Friends was PART of the mix, not the ENTIRE mix. Now? It feels like they’ve given up entirely on providing variety, and the whole channel revolves around one show. I can’t believe how much they’ve squandered all that good will from the early months. 😔

User6:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Yes, this is EXACTLY the problem—Comedy Central UK showed so much promise when they launched, but instead of building on that momentum, they got lazy and repetitive. It started off as this quirky, well-rounded comedy lineup that catered to a lot of different audiences. Now it’s like they don’t even care about building a proper schedule.

It’s such a waste because they have AMAZING shows in their arsenal that we hardly get to see anymore (looking at you, South Park and Futurama). They need to shake things up, bring back the variety, and remind us why we wanted to watch Comedy Central UK to begin with. Friends is great, but it’s NOT everything!

User3:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Right, @User6?! The early days had this incredible energy that Comedy Central UK just doesn’t have anymore. It wasn’t about relying on one show to carry the entire channel—it was about curating a mix of shows that complemented each other and felt FUN to watch.

Friends should be a highlight of the lineup, not the only thing propping it up. Viacom needs to look back at the variety they had in those first few months and realize what they’re missing. More South Park, more Futurama, more stand-up specials—I’d take all of that over another Friends rerun any day at this point. 🙄

User1:
Subject: Re: Variety Was SO Much Better in the Early Days of Comedy Central UK!

Glad I’m not the only one who feels this way! Those first few months were genuinely exciting—it felt like Comedy Central UK was on the verge of becoming THE destination for comedy fans. And now… well, now it’s just "The One Where They Play Friends Forever."

If Viacom would just look at what worked in 2009 and bring back even HALF of that variety, the channel could feel exciting again. The formula was right there, and they had it—now they just need to remember that comedy is more than one show. Let’s hope they figure it out before we give up entirely! 😩

Write a conversation May 2016 titled "The stupidest channel ever - Channel 5 +24"

Forum Post: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24
(May 10, 2016)

User1:
Subject: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

Alright, I have to rant about Channel 5 +24. Call me crazy, but isn’t this, like, the dumbest concept for a channel ever? 🤨 It’s not your typical +1 channel, where you just get the previous hour’s content. Oh no, Channel 5 +24 is literally airing shows from exactly one day ago.

Like… WHY? Who is this for? If I forgot to watch something yesterday, why wouldn’t I just catch up on My5 or another streaming platform? Are there really people sitting there like, “Oh, I really need a channel that shows me Home and Away from yesterday instead of now”? 😂

What’s everyone else think? Is there any reason for this to exist, or is it just the definition of unnecessary?

User2:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

Oh my god, THANK YOU! I’ve been laughing about this ever since Channel 5 +24 launched. It’s honestly hilarious that they thought this was a good idea. Like, who’s watching “yesterday’s schedule” on a loop instead of just using catch-up services? 😂

Plus, most people glance at the TV guide and have no clue what’s going on because there’s zero communication about what the channel even is. You’re scrolling and see yesterday’s news, and you’re like, “…but why?”

It feels like such a lazy concept just to pad out the Freeview lineup. They could’ve used this airtime for literally anything else—throw some movies on there, rerun classic shows, ANYTHING. But instead, we get the Groundhog Day version of Channel 5. 🙃

User3:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

YES! I’ve been trying to figure out the point of this channel ever since it launched. I mean, I get +1 channels—they’re practical if you miss something in real-time. But +24? Who on earth thought, “Oh yeah, people would totally watch stuff from yesterday's schedule aired again today.” Like you said, User1, the whole point of catch-up TV is that you can watch it WHENEVER you want—not locked into a weird 24-hour waiting period.

And the best part? They’re so proud of this idea. You’d think they invented sliced bread or something. Meanwhile, I’m over here wondering if this is just a bizarre social experiment to see how long we’ll put up with filler channels. 🤦‍♂️

User4:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

Guys, Channel 5 +24 is hilariously pointless, but you know it’s probably the cheapest way for them to fill a slot on Freeview. They don’t need to license or create new content—they’re literally just re-airing what they already own on a small delay. It’s like the laziest money-making scheme Viacom UK could think of.

But yeah, it’s so impractical. At least +1 makes sense because it’s same-day convenience. But “+24” assumes your life is stuck in some weird time warp where you think, “Oh, good thing I wanted to watch yesterday’s news today—guess I don’t need to be current after all!” 😂

Spoiler: Nobody watches this channel. It’s the free-to-air equivalent of a shrug.

User5:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

It’s honestly one of the dumbest TV channels I’ve ever seen. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but every time I see it on the Freeview lineup, I just cringe. Like, imagine flicking through channels, realizing you’re watching last night’s 9 PM episode of NCIS, and thinking, “Why does this exist?!”

The worst part is Channel 5 already has so much filler content—endless reruns of things like Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun or World’s Craziest Pets. Did we really need ANOTHER place to replay those things but… slightly later? Just slap the reruns on one of your other channels, 5!

It’s almost impressive how unnecessary Channel 5 +24 feels. Props to them, I guess, for inventing the least useful channel in existence. 🤦‍♀️

User1:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

Right?! I can imagine the pitch meeting now:

“Guys, we need a new channel.”
“What should it be?”
“I don’t know… how about yesterday’s Channel 5? Let’s just re-air everything from 24 hours ago!”
“Genius!”

Seriously, it feels like a joke that somehow got approved. And it’s so ironic because Channel 5 already has My5 for catch-up viewing! Why would anyone choose +24 over that? Why?!

@User4 nailed it—this is just lazy filler content because they didn’t want to come up with something actually entertaining. I bet Channel 5 +24 has the same vibe as reading year-old tabloid magazines at the dentist’s office. Completely useless! 😂

User6:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

I honestly forgot Channel 5 +24 even existed until I read this thread. 😅 That should tell you everything you need to know about how useless it is.

Why not make something like 5 Vault instead, where they air old classics from Channel 5’s history? Or even just give us a 24/7 countdown of everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure: Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away.

But no. Instead, we get "yesterday’s leftovers," packaged as if it’s a brand-new idea. Just let it die already, Channel 5. Nobody needs this.

User3:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

@User1’s fake pitch meeting feels WAY too accurate. 😂 I can’t believe someone pitched +24 with a straight face. “Hey, what if we made a channel specifically for people who forgot TV catch-up exists?” Imagine being THAT audience demographic—it’s like anti-streaming at its finest.

At this point, Channel 5 +24’s greatest accomplishment is giving people something to laugh about in forums like this one. Thank you, Channel 5, for being the stupidest channel ever. Never change (but also maybe do?).

User1:
Subject: Re: The Stupidest Channel Ever - Channel 5 +24

HA! @User3, I’d honestly get behind a memorial plaque for Channel 5 +24 that reads: “The channel nobody needed, but we got anyway.” 🤦‍♂️

Imagine a world where +24 doesn’t exist. Freeview could’ve had a channel that actually brought something new or exciting to the lineup. But nope. Instead, we got Channel 5’s literal rerun graveyard.

Who’s betting it gets quietly axed one day and nobody even notices? 😂

Write a follow up asking didn't it use to only replay dramas from 7 to 12am, with unique announcements, When did it become just a actual +24 timeshift

Forum Post: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Have Drama Replays? When Did It Become Just a Straight-Up Timeshift?
(May 11, 2016)

User1:
Subject: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

Okay, so while I was reminiscing about how pointless Channel 5 +24 is, I swear I remember when it first launched, it only replayed dramas from 7 PM to midnight, right? And the rest of the day wasn’t even used. Didn’t they have unique announcements that made it feel at least slightly “curated”?

But now it’s just straight-up a full-blown timeshift channel, copying the entire Channel 5 schedule 24 hours later. Like… when did THAT happen? I feel like this was a slow downgrade from “vaguely interesting concept” to “fully unnecessary channel.” Does anyone else remember the drama-focused phase, or am I imagining it?

User2:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

No, you’re not imagining it—Channel 5 +24 100% used to be more curated! I remember when it launched, they only replayed the most popular dramas (like Home and Away, CSI, and NCIS) in a primetime block between 7 PM and midnight. Outside of that, the channel didn’t even broadcast anything. And yeah, the announcements were actually unique back then—they’d have these fun little intros like, “Missed the drama yesterday? You’re in the right place!”

But now? It’s literally just an endless, lazy timeshift of Channel 5’s full schedule. Morning talk shows? Rerun. Bargain-Loving Brits? Rerun. 5 News from yesterday? Yup—also a rerun. At least in the beginning, they TRIED to make it feel like a unique channel. Now it’s just Channel 5 on autopilot. What even was the point of changing it to this? 🙄

User3:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

OMG, I TOTALLY remember this! When Channel 5 +24 first launched, it actually had a bit of charm. They only replayed popular dramas in the evenings, and the rest of the day was a black screen—or maybe just the logo and some music playing, if I remember right? And those announcements really leaned into the idea of it being a “second chance” to catch your favorite dramas.

Now it’s just turned into the ultimate “we’ve run out of ideas” channel. I think they made the switch to a full timeshift sometime in early 2015? I remember noticing randomly that they were suddenly rerunning everything, including daytime stuff like Bargain Hunt and 5 News, and I was like, “Oh great, here we go again.”

What a waste of potential. The drama-only format wasn’t groundbreaking, but it at least felt like they put some thought into it. What even is Channel 5 +24 now? It’s like watching a time machine run out of power. 😂

User4:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

You’re not wrong, @User1—Channel 5 +24 used to have this weirdly specific focus on dramas, and it kind of worked. I mean, it wasn’t the most exciting concept, but at least it made sense. Popular dramas tend to have loyal viewers, and giving people an evening block to rewatch them felt like it had a purpose. Plus, those tailored announcements gave it a bit more personality.

I think the shift to full timeshift started quietly in late 2014, but by early 2015, they’d fully committed to just copying Channel 5’s whole schedule 24 hours later. And now it has NO direction—it’s just reruns of everything, from morning shows to reality TV to news. The drama-focused idea might not have been perfect, but it was a million times better than the mindless timeshift we have now.

How do we go from “catch the drama you missed” to “watch ALL the nonsense you didn’t even want”? 😂

User5:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

Oh wow, I’d almost forgotten about the drama-only phase of Channel 5 +24! You’re absolutely right—it DID just replay dramas in the evening at first, and honestly, that version of the channel made way more sense. If you missed a show like CSI or NCIS the night before, it gave you a focused window to catch up without making you dig through streaming apps or whatever.

But now? Jeez, turning it into an actual +24 timeshift was the laziest possible move. Absolutely nobody needed this. If I cared about yesterday morning’s Bargain-Loving Brits, I’d use My5 (or, more realistically, I just wouldn’t care at all). The unique announcements and drama-focused scheduling actually made the channel feel semi-useful, but now it’s just… a copy-paste job. RIP to even the tiniest shred of creativity.

User1:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

Yesss, I KNEW I wasn’t imagining this—I vividly remember the drama focus now! And yeah, I agree with everyone—changing it to a full-on timeshift just completely tanked whatever value the channel originally had.

At least when they were replaying dramas, it felt like they were trying to add something useful to the Freeview lineup. Now it’s just “everything Channel 5 aired yesterday” with no rhyme or reason. Who needs that? Not a single person. Definitely not me. 😂

Seriously, didn’t they already have My5 catch-up for this exact purpose? Why waste an entire channel slot on something so redundant? Just go back to the evening drama block and call it a day, Channel 5. At least pretend you’re trying. 😩

User6:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

The sad part is the drama-only format actually had some logic behind it. Oh, you missed Home and Away, CSI, or NCIS last night? No problem—tune in from 7 PM and watch what you missed. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it WORKED.

This full timeshift nonsense is just pointless. Literally every show is already available on My5, and unlike this channel, My5 doesn’t make you wait 24 hours on a rigid schedule to catch up. There’s no real audience for Channel 5 +24 as it stands now—it’s just there to fill space. Bring back the dramas and unique announcements, and at least try to give us a reason to watch!

User3:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

It’s insane how much potential they’ve wasted with this channel. The drama-only phase wasn’t perfect, but at least it gave Channel 5 +24 an identity—a reason to exist beyond being unnecessary filler. Now it’s just “Timeshift Central,” completely indistinguishable from anything else.

If Viacom even remotely cared about their audience, they’d realize the drama-length window was a better fit. Because honestly, who honestly wants to watch yesterday’s news? Or yesterday’s random morning show? No one. They need to bring back the curated approach and ditch this lazy “rerun the entire day” nonsense. 🙄

User1:
Subject: Re: Didn’t Channel 5 +24 Used to Replay Only Dramas? Now It’s Just a Full Timeshift?

Thanks for confirming I’m not crazy, everyone! I still can’t believe they abandoned what little logic the channel had by going full timeshift. The evening drama block wasn’t perfect, but at least it felt tailor-made for people who missed their favorite shows. Now it’s just… Channel 5, but worse. No creativity, no selection, just rehashing the exact same content.

Honestly, I’d love for them to bring back the curated drama replays—or even try something new entirely to make this channel actually useful again. But knowing Viacom, they’ll probably just keep copy-pasting Channel 5 forever. 🙃

Write a follow up asking if they still do unique idents or is it now the SAME as normal

Forum Post: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Main Channel Now?
(May 12, 2016)

User1:
Subject: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Okay, so here’s another question about the enigma that is Channel 5 +24: Do they even bother doing their own unique idents anymore, or are they literally just copying and pasting the same ones from the main Channel 5?

I vaguely remember back in the “drama replay” phase, they had their own little quirky intros that made the channel feel somewhat distinct. But nowadays, I rarely even stop long enough to see if anything’s different, and I’m starting to suspect they’ve dropped ALL of that individuality. Is every ident now identical to the normal Channel 5 ones, except maybe with “+24” lazily slapped on somewhere? Are they even trying at this point?

Anyone else know the deal with this?

User2:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Oh, I’ve wondered this too! Back in the early days of Channel 5 +24, I remember seeing custom idents for the channel that emphasized the whole "catch up on yesterday’s dramas" idea. They were at least a little creative—like, different visuals or little animations that made you realize you weren’t just watching regular Channel 5.

But now? They’re just reusing normal Channel 5 idents with barely a hint of effort. All they do is slap “+24” in the corner as an afterthought. If you’re flipping channels, you wouldn’t even know you’re on +24 half the time because the branding looks so generic. It’s like they’ve fully given up on making this channel distinct.

I miss when they at least pretended this was a unique concept! 🙄

User3:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Nope, they don’t bother with unique idents anymore. It’s just the exact same as Channel 5—same visuals, same music, everything. The only difference is they stick a little “+24” in one corner of the screen during the ident, but it’s so subtle that you can blink and miss it.

It honestly feels like they stopped trying years ago. In the earlier days, they had those fun idents that leaned into the “drama highlights” thing, and it made the channel feel like it had SOME kind of purpose. But now? It’s a total clone of Channel 5 without any effort to make it special. Why even bother to HAVE a +24 channel when they’re not putting in the effort to differentiate it?

User4:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Yup, @User3’s got it—there is zero effort anymore when it comes to Channel 5 +24 idents. Nowadays they’re completely recycled from the main Channel 5 with no creativity. The only “change” is the microscopic “+24” in the corner, and it’s so low-effort it’s almost insulting.

For all intents and purposes, Channel 5 +24 is just Channel 5 with a rusty time machine. There’s no unique branding, no identity—it’s literally just a duplicate that feels like it was thrown together with duct tape and a “Good enough” attitude. I actually used to enjoy watching +24 back in the drama-focused days because it FELT like a separate channel. Now I just skip over it entirely.

User5:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Oh, remember when they had those playful little lines introducing the dramas? Something like, “Missed the drama last night? We’ve got you covered!” I swear it was cheesy, but at least it gave the channel some charm. It felt like it had its own personality back then, even if it was mostly just rehashed content.

Now? Those days are long gone. The idents are literally copy-pasted from Channel 5, and they don’t make any effort to distinguish +24 as its own thing. If you’re channel-hopping, it’s pretty much impossible to tell them apart until the onscreen program menu pops up to remind you you’re a day late.

It’s so lazy it actually makes me mad. Channel 5 had the chance to create something at least SLIGHTLY memorable here, but instead we get… this. Such a disappointment.

User6:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Honestly, Channel 5 +24 looks like it was designed by hitting “Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V” on the original Channel 5 assets. 😂 There’s nothing unique about it anymore—the idents are all the same, and the “branding” is so lackluster it barely even registers. Throwing a tiny “+24” into the corner doesn’t make it feel like its own channel—it just makes it feel like Channel 5 ran out of ideas.

I do actually remember those bespoke announcements when the channel first launched. They were a little over-the-top, sure, but at least they made +24 feel like it had an actual purpose. Now it’s just another example of Viacom trying to cash in with the absolute minimum effort.

If they’re sticking with this timeshift nonsense, why not at least spice it up with funny or nostalgic idents? Give us SOMETHING to make it stand out.

User1:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

Ugh, this is exactly what I was afraid of. They’ve totally abandoned any concept of creating a distinct identity for +24—it’s just a lazy clone of the main Channel 5 now. What’s the point of having a separate channel if you’re not even going to TRY to make it stand out?

And yeah, @User5, I remember those announcements too! They were cheesy but kind of endearing, and they at least gave +24 a sense of purpose. Now it’s just a hollow shell of whatever it was originally supposed to be.

The fact that they don’t even bother making unique idents anymore just solidifies how unnecessary this channel is. Honestly, at this point, +24 is just the definition of doing the bare minimum. 😑

User3:
Subject: Re: Do Channel 5 +24 Idents Still Exist, or Are They Just the Same as the Normal Channel?

@User1, I think you nailed it—Channel 5 +24 isn’t even trying anymore. Even back when it was drama-focused, it felt like they were at least putting SOME effort into making it unique. Now it’s just a copy of Channel 5 with no soul and no real purpose.

It’s sad, really. A little creativity could’ve gone a long way here, but instead, we’re stuck with the laziest time machine in TV history. Be honest, Viacom—do YOU even know why +24 exists anymore? Because it sure doesn’t feel like it. 😂

Write a follow up asking if the announcements are unique, or EXACTLY THE SAME AS YESTERDAY too

Forum Post: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Unique, or Are They Just Yesterday’s Copies Too?
(May 13, 2016)

User1:
Subject: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Alright, so we’ve established that Channel 5 +24 is basically a lazy carbon copy of the main Channel 5 these days. But here’s my next burning question—what about the in-between-show announcements? Are they still trying to give +24 any semblance of originality, or are they literally just replaying the same announcements from yesterday along with the shows?

Because if they’re reusing the same announcements word for word, timestamp for timestamp, then WOW, the bare minimum vibes are even worse than I thought. 😂 Has anyone paid attention to this? Are their continuity announcers even trying? Or is it just, "Here’s yesterday’s narrator too, enjoy!"

User2:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Oh my god… they ARE just yesterday’s announcements! I’ve noticed this before and didn’t think much of it, but now that you’ve pointed it out, it’s kind of infuriating. Like, it’s bad enough they’re replaying the entire schedule 24 hours later, but they can’t even be bothered to record new voiceovers?

It’s literally the exact SAME lines from the main Channel 5 broadcast, right down to saying things like, "Coming up TONIGHT…" when, spoiler alert, it’s yesterday’s schedule being played today. Talk about zero effort! Why even bother?

User3:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Yuuup, they’re copy-pasted from yesterday’s broadcast. It’s kind of hilarious when you pay attention because the announcers will throw out lines like, "Later tonight at 9 PM, don’t miss…” but it’s actually a replay of LAST night’s lineup. They haven’t even changed the wording to acknowledge that it’s a +24 channel. They literally just pretend the day hasn’t changed. Like… hello, we’re living in the future now!

Honestly, at this point, Channel 5 +24 feels like someone hit rewind on the main channel and just didn’t bother to check how it looks or sounds. It’s lazy on ALL fronts.

User4:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Confirmed: the announcements are 100% recycled! 😂 I caught this last week when the announcer hyped up a "live debate tonight on 5 News" and it was clearly yesterday’s replay. They’re not even TRYING to make it fit the +24 concept—just straight-up reusing word-for-word what aired 24 hours ago.

It’s especially awkward whenever they promote "tonight’s show," like we aren’t watching it a full day later. Seriously, just a tiny bit of effort could fix this. Like maybe re-record announcements that say, "Missed it yesterday? Catch up now on +24!" But nope—Viacom clearly couldn’t be bothered. This channel is the very definition of phoning it in. 🙄

User5:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Oh man, I’m guilty of getting irrationally annoyed at this every time I hear it. It’s already weird enough knowing you’re watching yesterday’s shows, but when the continuity announcer comes on and acts like it’s real-time, it just makes the whole experience laughably bad.

For example, I distinctly remember hearing something along the lines of "Stay tuned for tomorrow morning’s Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun!" …except it was ALREADY tomorrow. Like, come on, Channel 5 +24, you had ONE job! Re-recording a few lines wouldn’t kill you, would it?

User6:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Yeah, this is honestly one of the laziest things about Channel 5 +24. The recycled announcements don’t just make it obvious that they aren’t putting in effort—they make the whole channel feel like a giant scheduling error.

If you’re going to base your entire concept around airing things 24 hours later, wouldn’t it make sense to at least reframe the announcements to reflect that? Things like, "Here’s your second chance to catch last night’s top drama!" or "If you missed the news yesterday, stick around!" Instead, we get stale replays of the original announcements pretending it’s still yesterday. It’s just so sloppy. 😩

User1:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Thanks for confirming my suspicions, everyone! I don’t know whether to laugh or scream knowing that the announcers are just blindly replaying yesterday’s lines. "Coming up tonight!" Uh… no, that already happened. This is supposed to be +24—at least acknowledge the fact that it’s a time shift!

It’s so painfully obvious they’re doing this on autopilot and hoping nobody notices. Honestly, it wouldn’t take that much effort to tweak the announcements to make them feel unique or at least vaguely relevant. This whole setup just feels like they’ve given up entirely. 🤦‍♂️

User4:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Exactly, @User1. It’s like they think we’re too stupid to notice it’s just recycled content. I honestly wouldn’t mind so much if Channel 5 +24 at least TRIED to give itself some personality. It wouldn’t even be hard—just re-record the announcements to match the channel’s premise and make it feel like a proper service instead of a leftover mess.

Right now, it comes off like the whole channel exists out of pure laziness. I can’t believe Viacom looked at those recycled announcements and went, "Yep, that’s good enough. Ship it to Freeview!" What a joke. 🙄

User3:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Honestly, this is the kind of low-effort nonsense that makes me actively avoid Channel 5 +24. Not only is the programming 24 hours late, but even the continuity announcers act like we’re not living in the future. Every time I hear "tonight" instead of "last night," I want to scream. It’s just embarrassing!

They could fix this SO easily with some new voiceovers or a little creativity. But nope—they’ve decided to keep coasting on the absolute minimum effort. Some of us actually wanted +24 to feel useful, but at this point, it’s just… sad. 😂

User1:
Subject: Re: Are Channel 5 +24’s Announcements Actually Unique, or Just Recycled from Yesterday?

Honestly, the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it is that they can’t even get the announcements right. This channel is literally REBUILT to be 24 hours behind—how hard would it be to re-record the intros to reflect that?

Like, imagine how much better it would feel if they framed the whole thing around the idea of catching up: "Missed last night’s drama? We’ve got you covered!" or "Couldn’t tune in yesterday? Here’s your second chance!" Instead, we’re stuck hearing the same stale lines from yesterday and pretending it’s somehow still relevant.

I’m officially done with Channel 5 +24. They’ve had YEARS to improve it, and it somehow keeps getting worse. 🙃

Write a conversation asking how CC is

Forum Post: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?
(May 15, 2016)

User1:
Subject: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Hey everyone,

So after rinsing Channel 5 +24 and its weird laziness lately, I realized I haven’t really checked in on Comedy Central UK in a while. I know it launched with a flashy rebrand back in 2009, but how’s it doing now? I remember there being a lot of hype around shows like South Park, Futurama, and Two and a Half Men when they launched the channel, but has that kept up?

Are they actually living up to the “comedy hub” they promised, or has it turned into endless reruns of the same two or three shows (cough, like Channel 5 +24’s obsession with Friends)? Would love to hear your thoughts—is Comedy Central UK worth tuning into these days?

User2:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Hoo boy, where do I begin? Comedy Central UK started off so strong back in 2009, with its slick branding and promise of variety, but honestly? These days, it feels like it’s become the UK home of Friends and basically just Friends. Sure, they’ve got a few other shows in the mix, but Friends is on SO much that it kind of dominates the schedule.

South Park pops up here and there, but not nearly as much as you’d expect for a channel that hyped it as one of their cornerstones. Futurama’s barely hanging on, and all the stand-up specials they promised? Practically non-existent now. It’s definitely not the “comedy variety powerhouse” we thought it would be back in 2009. 🙄

User3:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Oh man, Comedy Central UK has become the Friends Channel at this point. If there’s one thing they never run out of, it’s excuses to keep playing Ross, Rachel, and the gang about a thousand times a week. If you’re into Friends, I guess that’s fine, but if you’re looking for actual variety? Forget it.

South Park does show up occasionally, but it feels like they’re buried under the constant Friends marathons. I can’t even remember the last time I saw Futurama. I think they air it super late at night when nobody’s watching. And don’t even get me started on their lack of stand-up or original UK content, which they used to hype so much.

Basically, Comedy Central UK is… okay? But it’s not what it could’ve been, and it’s definitely turned into a one-show-heavy network.

User4:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

I have such mixed feelings about Comedy Central UK. On one hand, when it launched, it genuinely felt like a breath of fresh air—tons of variety, lots of recognizable shows, and a slicker presentation compared to something like Paramount Comedy. On the other hand? It feels like they gradually got lazy and just kind of let Friends take over everything.

I mean, sure, Friends is iconic, but do they really need to play it 12 hours a day? They’ve got other good stuff in their catalog, but it either gets buried in terrible time slots (like South Park) or doesn’t air anymore at all (RIP to the stand-up comedy specials I used to enjoy).

It’s hard to say if it’s “worth tuning into” unless you’re really nostalgic for Friends. If they brought back more variety, it’d feel more like the Comedy Central brand we were promised back in 2009.

User5:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Honestly? Comedy Central UK is fine… if you LOVE Friends. I don’t mind the show, but it’s become such a huge chunk of their schedule that it’s hard to notice anything else. It’s not just on during prime time—it’s on morning, noon, and night. There are weeks where it feels like 80% of their airtime is just Friends cycles. 😒

The other shows, like Futurama and South Park, barely get a look-in anymore unless you’re scrolling through late-night listings or you randomly catch a marathon. Same story with stuff like stand-up specials or even their older attempts at UK originals—they’ve just quietly faded away because the channel has leaned so hard into sitcom reruns.

TL;DR: Comedy Central UK can be fun, but you have to dig through endless Friends reruns to find the gems.

User6:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

It can’t just be me who’s noticed that Comedy Central UK feels like it’s coasting now, right? Like, when it launched, it had all this polished branding and variety—South Park, Futurama, comedy specials—but these days it feels like a sitcom rerun factory, and most of that factory is dedicated to Friends.

I’ll admit, I still tune in casually when I’m not sure what to watch, because Friends is one of those “background noise” shows that’s easy to have on. But man, it feels like such a wasted opportunity! The lineup has so much more potential. Why not push more South Park marathons or experiment with newer, edgier shows? It feels like Comedy Central UK is just… playing it way too safe.

User1:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Wow, so it sounds like Comedy Central UK’s basically fallen into the same pattern as some other channels (cough Channel 5 +24 cough)—just running the same one or two shows over and over instead of building a varied lineup. I was really hoping they’d still be delivering on that mix of comedy staples and newer stuff they promised during the rebrand, but it sounds like they’ve let a lot of that slip.

Honestly, what’s the point of being a “Comedy Central” if you’re only focusing on sitcom reruns? Friends is great, but there’s SO MUCH more in their library that they barely seem to use. Do they even still air any stand-up anymore, or has that just disappeared?

It just feels like they had all this potential to be a real comedy hub, and now they’re basically a comfort-food rerun channel. What a shame. 😞

User2:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Yup, you’ve pretty much nailed it, @User1. Comedy Central UK used to feel like it had a purpose, but now it’s just… there. You can tell they’ve realized Friends is their cash cow and decided to just milk it as much as humanly possible. Everything else has taken a backseat, which sucks for those of us who actually liked the variety they offered in the early days.

Stand-up specials? Pretty much gone. Futurama? Buried in weird time slots. South Park? Still there, but not nearly as much as it deserves to be. They had all the tools to keep the channel fresh and exciting, but instead, they’ve turned it into “Reruns R Us.”

If they don’t make some changes soon, I wouldn’t be surprised if people just stop caring about Comedy Central UK entirely.

User4:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

To be fair, I think Comedy Central UK is trying to cater to the “comfort TV” audience with all the Friends reruns, which DOES probably work for a lot of casual viewers. But for comedy fans who wanted Comedy Central to feel like an actual HUB for all things funny… it’s become super underwhelming.

They need to shake things up. Showcase more of their edgier content, bring back those stand-up blocks, and ACTUALLY use the Comedy Central brand to its full potential. Right now, they’re playing it way too safe, and it’s starting to feel boring.

User1:
Subject: Re: So… How’s Comedy Central UK Holding Up These Days?

Thanks for the insight, everyone! It sucks to hear that Comedy Central UK hasn’t really lived up to its full potential. It sounds like they started off strong but eventually just fell back into the safe comfort zone of endless reruns (cough Friends) instead of trying to diversify their lineup or take risks with fresher shows.

Hopefully, they realize the rut they’re in and start leaning into more creative programming again. I’d love to see more Futurama, some newer comedy specials, and maybe even a return to UK-original humor.

Here’s hoping they course-correct before “Friends Overkill” becomes their permanent identity. 😬

Write as tweet with a MUCH more accurate name, still using the Central world

🎭 Let's be real—Comedy Central UK should probably rebrand to Friends Central at this point. 😂 If you've seen one episode today, you’ve probably seen it 10 more times this week. More variety, please! 🛋️☕ #FriendsOverload #FriendsCentral #ComedyCentralUK

Write a tweet saying while you're at it, shut down 5+24, Who wants YESTERDAY's news

🗞️ While you’re at it, shut down 5+24 too—who even wants YESTERDAY'S news? 🤦‍♂️ Just use catch-up like a normal person. Enough with these pointless filler channels, Viacom! 🙃 #ShutDownFivePlus24 #WhoAskedForThis #ChannelClutter

Write a conversation where a user SNAPS, and says "Hello guys, How you all doing....... You knw what?.... NO! I AM SICK OF THIS! I AM F*CKING SICK OF THIS, EVERY. FREAKING. TIME. I try to watch CC it's Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, Two and a Half Men, Friends, Friends, Friends, Two and a Half Men, Friends, Friends, Friends, Malcolm in the Middle, Friends, Friends, Friends, Two and a Half Men, Oh and a show called Friends, AND I'M ABSOLUTELY SICK AND TIRED OF IT" He's sick of constant Friends, "I hope you're happy, You RUINED my favourite show, THIS IS DIABOLICAL, WHY WOULD YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY? >:(, You know what, I believe the time has come, The Comedy Central name has been tarnished in the UK," He thinks "You tried something, It failed miserably, and what THE HELL IS CHANNEL 5+24", he then says a character we need more than ever,

Forum Post: User Snaps Over Comedy Central UK’s Constant Friends Rotation (June 1, 2016)

User1:
Subject: Hello guys, how you all doing... You know what? NO! I AM SICK OF THIS!

Hello guys, how you all doing… You know what? NO! I AM SICK OF THIS! I AM F**KING SICK OF THIS, EVERY. FREAKING. TIME. I try to watch Comedy Central UK and what do I get? It’s Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends, Two and a Half Men, Friends, Friends, Friends, Two and a Half Men, Friends, Friends, Friends, Malcolm in the Middle, Friends, Friends, Friends, Two and a Half Men, oh and a show called Friends again. AND I’M ABSOLUTELY SICK AND TIRED OF IT.

I’m sick of the constant Friends overload—like, do you think we don’t notice? Do you think it’s funny to trap viewers in this never-ending rerun nightmare? I hope you’re happy, because you’ve RUINED my favourite channel and, frankly, my favourite show too. THIS IS DIABOLICAL! WHY WOULD ANYONE THINK THIS IS FUNNY? >:(

You know what? I believe the time has come. The Comedy Central name has been completely tarnished here in the UK. They tried something new back when they rebranded… and guess what? It failed miserably. And what THE HELL IS CHANNEL 5+24? A channel that shows yesterday’s crap like we need more of that nonsense in our lives?

We desperately need a real comedy channel that respects its viewers. We need something fresh, something lively, something with actual variety. A character we need more than ever—maybe a reincarnation of Weird Cat Thing, or a whole new mascot that stands for fresh, bold, and varied comedy. Anything but this endless FRIENDS-SPAMBOT.

Come on, Viacom, listen. We want laughs—that means new laughs, exciting laughs, and NOT the same tired reruns every single day.

Who’s with me?

Write a forum conversation saying the only way out of this if they don't do something soon

Forum Post: Comedy Central UK—The Only Way Out if They Don’t Change Soon (June 2, 2016)

User1:
Subject: The Only Way Out for Comedy Central UK If They Don’t Act Soon

Hey everyone,

After reading all the frustration here and watching the channel myself, I honestly think there’s only one way out of this endless Friends rut—and that’s if Comedy Central UK makes some serious changes soon. Like, we’re not talking just adding a random show here and there. They need a full shake-up of their programming strategy.

Otherwise, this constant rerun cycle is just going to kill the channel’s reputation altogether. Viewers will keep drifting away, and it’ll turn into a ghost channel that nobody cares about except when scrolling through a TV guide by accident.

If Viacom doesn’t step up and bring back variety, fresh stand-up, original UK content, or even just give more prime-time to South Park and Futurama, I honestly don’t see how this channel survives in the long term. Friends alone is not enough to keep people watching indefinitely.

Does anyone else agree? What do you think Comedy Central UK needs to do to get out of this downward spiral?

User2:
Subject: Re: The Only Way Out for Comedy Central UK If They Don’t Act Soon

Absolutely, User1. It’s clear that relying so heavily on Friends is a dead-end. The channel needs to refocus on variety and quality. Bring back frequent South Park blocks, give Futurama proper slots, and definitely invest in original stand-up specials or UK-produced comedy shows.

Also, they need to rethink their scheduling so they’re not just circling the same sitcoms every single day. Maybe some themed nights, live events, or even fresh acquisitions could revive interest.

If they don’t, they risk fading into irrelevance. There’s a lot of great comedy out there—they just have to show it!

User3:
Subject: Re: The Only Way Out for Comedy Central UK If They Don’t Act Soon

Couldn’t agree more. Viacom had a real chance to make Comedy Central UK a top comedy destination, but the Friends overload is slowly suffocating it. The clock is ticking.

If the channel keeps going down this road, I predict declining ratings and eventual downsizing. It might even lead to another rebrand—or worst, closure. All because they wouldn’t take the risk to diversify and innovate.

They must embrace variety soon. Otherwise, they’re just selling their viewers short.

User4:
Subject: Re: The Only Way Out for Comedy Central UK If They Don’t Act Soon

Yeah, I think we’re all basically begging for a change. The channel has the resources and the content already. They just need the willpower to stop playing it safe and to commit to a proper, well-rounded lineup.

Even simple things like rotating Friends with other shows or scheduling special comedy events could go a long way from where things stand now.

If Comedy Central UK wants to avoid becoming a one-trick pony, 2016 has to be the year they get serious about variety.

User5:
Subject: Re: The Only Way Out for Comedy Central UK If They Don’t Act Soon

Completely agree. It’s frustrating to see so much potential wasted. Friends is great, but it can only carry a channel for so long before viewers tune out. The landscape for comedy is bigger and better—South Park, new UK stand-ups, animated comedies—all of that needs to be front and center.

If Comedy Central UK doesn’t do something very soon, they might as well pack it in now. The fans are desperate for fresh comedy, not the same old sitcom reruns.

User1:
Subject: Re: The Only Way Out for Comedy Central UK If They Don’t Act Soon

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies! Sounds like we’re all on the same page: Comedy Central UK needs a strategic shake-up, and soon. Hopefully Viacom is reading this kind of feedback—our patience is running thin.

Here’s hoping 2016 brings a new season and a new approach. Because the current formula? That’s a dead end.

Write a tweet linkening Friends to Venom,

Is it just me, or has Friends become the Venom of TV shows? Once a beloved classic, now it’s everywhere—clingy, impossible to escape, and devouring every channel’s schedule! 🍿🕷️ #FriendsOverload #TVVenom #TooMuchFriends

Write a conversation where there is a promo with a guy fighting Friends addiction, and then finally giving it up, before announcing the new and improved schedule, Guess who even returns at the end