| When Comedy Central first premiered on cable | | | | reckoned with. That is until 1997 came along, |
| and satellite TV channels in 1989, the majority of | | | | when "South Park" first premiered. Highlighting the |
| its first five years were seen as somewhat of a | | | | lives of four young, foul-mouthed kids (with one |
| joke. Now, that statement does not refer at all to | | | | of the four dying at the end of every episode), |
| the station's quality of programming, it just refers | | | | "South Park" allowed Comedy Central to grab the |
| to the fact that other television programs, most | | | | ratings that it had been looking for. In fact, |
| notably "The Simpsons," directed a lot of individual | | | | statistics indicate that due to great |
| jokes towards the newly released station, | | | | word-of-mouth of the new show, a huge |
| mocking it repeatedly. Now, however, the station | | | | percentile of the American population demanded |
| is one of the heavy hitters, competing right up | | | | that their cable or satellite TV providers include |
| there with the Discovery Network and the major | | | | the channel in their television packages. Not to |
| three: NBC, CBS and ABC. And with an HD | | | | mention that after the "South Park" movie came |
| channel as well as a number of hit shows, | | | | out in 1999, the station continued to rise in the |
| Comedy Central's success does not seem to be | | | | rating charts. |
| teetering. | | | | With all the new viewers, Comedy Central |
| The station's premiere in the late eighties to early | | | | continued to make a name for itself as a |
| nineties was met with a bit of skepticism: how | | | | premiere channel. After substituting Jon Stewart |
| could a station simply play comedy themed | | | | for Craig Kilborn on "The Daily Show," the political |
| programming? Granted, movie channels were | | | | and media themed humor show became a huge |
| having success all over the cable and satellite TV | | | | hit. Actually, many news articles have come out in |
| realms, but when it came to a genre themed | | | | the last few years indicating that more people |
| station, well that just seemed a bit far-fetched. | | | | watch "The Daily Show" to get their daily news |
| But, even though a majority of airtime was filled | | | | than actual news channels. Additionally, with such |
| with old comedic classics, such as Mel Brooks | | | | program add-ons as "Reno-911"and "Chappelle's |
| films, as well as reruns of stand up routines, | | | | Show," Comedy Central continued to soar like a |
| Comedy Central still managed to produce some | | | | rising star in Hollywood. |
| quality programming. "Mystery Science Theater | | | | Now, as already stated, Comedy Central is one of |
| 3000" and "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" were | | | | the heavy hitters on television. The station is |
| two programs - now canceled - that gained a lot | | | | available nationwide and with a combination of HD |
| of viewership during their hey day and are | | | | programming, new original series and the "Secret |
| considered to now be cult classics. Also, shows | | | | Stash" (a timeslot on the station that allows films |
| such as "Win Ben Stein's Money" and reruns of | | | | to be broadcasted completely uncensored), there |
| "Absolutely Fabulous," a hit British sitcom, helped | | | | really seems to be no end to the station's |
| bring in ratings. | | | | success. Comedy Central has found their niche |
| Yet, the station still had trouble tapping into | | | | and they are sticking to it. |
| popular culture and evolving into a force to be | | | | |