Comedy Central UK appoints Brad Wood to the role of Head of Acquisitions
Brad Wood has joined Comedy Central UK as Head of Acquisitions, responsible for growing the channel’s portfolio of top quality and enduringly popular acquired comedy content.
Wood comes to Comedy Central UK from Discovery Networks where he was Programming Manager, Lifestyle and Entertainment for two years working across 13 International channels including TLC, DMAX, Real Time and ID. He was responsible for acquiring factual, entertainment, lifestyle and scripted content for each feed annually with specific responsibility for UK and Western Europe.
On his new appointment Wood says: “As a regular Fringe attendee and huge comedy fan I’m thrilled to be joining such an innovative, creative and growing channel. I aim to build on Comedy Central’s success by seeking out further hit series’ to help cement its position as a top TV destination for 16-34 year-olds ”.
Prior to working at Discovery Networks, Wood was Acquisitions Manager at Virgin Media Television for LIVING and LIVINGit and channel editor for Challenge Jackpot. He was part of the strategy team for both channels, working closely on the re-brand of LIVING 2 and acquiring a range international content.
Comedy Central UK has grown 82% since launch in 2008 and is a top ranking pay general entertainment channel for 16-34s. Its popular acquired programming includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management, Mike and Molly, Tosh.0, Whitney, The Daily Show, South Park and Friends. Recently it has also moved into commissioning its own content, with two series of Threesome and Alternative Comedy Experience both proving popular with the channel’s audience. Further commissions set to air this year, include Seann Walsh World and Big Bad World staring Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners).
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About Comedy Central: Comedy Central is a leading Pay TV General Entertainment channel and is part of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). A joint venture between VIMN (75%) and BSkyB (25%), Comedy Central airs on the Sky and Virgin Media platforms. Comedy Central launched in the UK in April 2009 and has since grown by a phenomenal 82%. The channel broadcasts a mix of hit US acquisitions and original UK productions targeting a 16-34 year-old audience. Popular shows include Two and a Half Men, Anger Management, Mike and Molly, Tosh.0, Whitney, The Daily Show, South Park and Friends. In 2012 Comedy Central aired its first local commission Threesome which received both critical acclaim and high ratings. A subsequent series followed as well as the channel’s second commission Alternative Comedy Experience. Other commissions set to debut in 2013 include Seann Walsh World and Big Bad World. In addition to the main Comedy Central channel are Comedy Central +1, Comedy Central Extra and Comedy Central Extra +1 providing audiences with more viewing opportunities and more fantastic content.