Fox Funny Explained

Fox Funny
Launch Date:1 November 2008
Closed Date:[1]
Country:Australia
Headquarters:Sydney[2]
Picture Format:576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV 16:9)
Owner:Foxtel Networks
Website:foxtel.com.au/channels.html
Replaced By:Fox Comedy (channel slot)
Real Life
Sister Channels:Foxtel Networks channels
Online Serv 1:Foxtel Go
Online Chan 1:Channel 114

Fox Funny (formerly 111 funny, pronounced as "triple one") was an Australian pay television channel focused on airing popular American sitcom from the mid-2000s to present, complementing the 1980s–2005 schedule of sister network Fox Comedy. The channel was closed on 1 March 2023.

History

On 24 October 2008, the channel was launched with a promo loop on Foxtel as 111 Hits, running in widescreen in a run-up to its official 1 November 2008 launch as a companion to The Comedy Channel. Its first programme was a special edition of Countdown with guests Jenna Elfman and Jermaine Jackson.[3] On 1 March 2009, the channel became available to Austar subscribers.[4] The timeshift channel 111+2 launched 15 November 2009.

After a revised logo and branding campaign rolled out over the holidays of 2013, the channel's name was officially shortened on 1 January 2014 to 111 with the launch of TV Hits.[5] After only four months, on 20 April 2014, it was rebranded to 111 Greats, before reverting simply to 111 on 1 August 2015. The channel launched on Fetch TV at the end of February 2017.

On 7 November 2019, 111 funny was rebranded as Fox Funny as part of Foxtel's rebranding and takeover of several networks.[6] A high-definition feed of the network was launched alongside the rebranding.

On 26 January 2023, it was announced the channel would close on March 1, with content moving to sister channels Fox Comedy and Fox8, with Fox Comedy shifting from channel 119 to Funny's former channel 114 berth.[7]

Programming

Programming primarily consisted of American sitcoms from Warner Bros., 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Television, and CBS Studios International.

As 111 launched, programming was slowly revealed through promotions on other Foxtel channels, with presenters discussing a show and their memories of it.

At launch, a majority of its shows were moved from Arena, FOX8, The Comedy Channel, TV1 and Fox Classics.

On 1 January 2014, with the addition of TV Hits following the closure of TV1, there was a change in direction to the networks catalogue of programs, with a large amount of newer material (mainly sitcoms and dramas) moved from 111 Hits to TV Hits. As a result, 111 Hits was shortened to 111. New additions to programming (which were previously shown on TV1) included classics such as Cheers, Frasier, and Get Smart, as well as newer shows such as Rules of Engagement.[5] [8]

On 1 November 2015, the network changed its focus solely to sitcoms. This saw the sitcoms which were moved to TV Hits the year prior returned and the removal of drama programming (with a large majority moved to other Foxtel-owned channels).[9]

With the rebrand to Fox Funny, the channel removed sitcoms from the 1980s and 1990s (which moved to sister channel Fox Comedy) and became home to more recent sitcoms from the 2000s and 2010s.

Former programmes

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FOX FUNNY, NAT GEO and NAT GEO WILD channels to be removed from FOXTEL and FETCH platforms. tvblackbox.com.au. 26 January 2023.
  2. Web site: David. Knox. 111 Hits will target 24-54's. tvtonight.com.au. 20 October 2008. 20 January 2010.
  3. Web site: Foxtel . 11 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081025050732/http://www.foxtel.com.au/236_7138.htm . 25 October 2008 . dead . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: David. Knox. 111 Hits to join Austar. tvtonight.com.au. 6 January 2009. 20 January 2010.
  5. Web site: Better TV Blog . 2 December 2013 . 4 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131216135129/https://foxteltv.tumblr.com/post/68762938527/60-premieres-and-highlights-on-foxtel-this-week . 16 December 2013 .
  6. News: Foxtel launches new FOX-branded entertainment channels . Mediaweek . 6 November 2019 . en-AU.
  7. Web site: Support . 2023-02-28 . help.foxtel.com.au.
  8. Web site: Foxtel's TVH!TS is the new channel destination for TV's greatest hits from Wednesday, January 1. 16 December 2013. 17 December 2013.
  9. Web site: We're now the home of your favourite sitcoms! 111 – very funny! Keep an eye out for the new programs coming to 111 from today…. Facebook. 1 November 2015. 6 January 2016.