Channel 4 To Sponsor Best Of Edinburgh Comedy
Channel 4 has announced the sponsorship of several comedy shows at the forthcoming Edinburgh Festival, underlining the broadcaster’s commitment to new talent and the next generation of British comedy stars.
In addition to the show sponsorships, Channel 4 will produce a one page satirical free-sheet entitled Edinburgh Fun with articles and commentaries by new and established comedy writers. Among those contributing to the title are Smack the Pony and Peek Show writers, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, Adam Buxton from The Adam and Joe Show, comedian Arthur Smith and comedy writer Harry Thompson.
Edinburgh Fun will provide festival-goers with a humourous guide to street entertainment, an ‘unhelpful’ festival map and tips on how to be a real Edinburgher. The sheet will be inserted in The Guardian newspaper nation-wide on 7th August and will be available at leading comedy venues and pubs in Edinburgh throughout the festival.
The shows sponsored by Channel 4 are amongst the most established and renowned of the festival line-up, including So You Think You’re Funny?, the festival’s original stand-up competition for newcomers; The Perrier Comedy Awards, the much-coveted award for the best up and coming comedy show on the festival fringe; Late’n’Live, the event’s notorious late night show; Ealing Live! and the Comedy Night at Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, which coincides with the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.
Channel 4 has sponsored elements of the festival for over a decade, with several high profile names, such as Peter Kay, Dylan Moran and Lee Mack, getting big breaks, and winning major prizes there.
Yesterday saw Channel 4 notch up some of its highest ratings of the year with the surprise eviction of Big Brother contestant Stuart Wilson. The broadcaster recorded a peak of 7.7 million viewers, equating to a 49.8% share of viewing during its 10:30pm slot (see Surprise Big Brother Eviction Draws 7.7 Million To Channel 4).
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com
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