[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/comedy_central.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:All rights reserved.]]

Comedy Central is a {{network|s}} on U.S. cable/satellite TV, created by a merger between [[Creator/ParamountGlobal Viacom]]'s HA! and [[Creator/WarnerBrosDiscovery Time Warner]]'s Comedy Channel (launched by Creator/{{HBO}}) in [[TheNineties the early 1990s]] (Viacom bought out Time Warner's 50-percent stake in 2003; while the network was still a joint venture, distribution rights to ''WesternAnimation/SouthParkBiggerLongerAndUncut'', based on what is now the network's flagship series ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'', was divided between Viacom subsidiary Creator/{{Paramount}} Pictures in North America and Time Warner subsidiary Creator/WarnerBros internationally).

[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin They tend to air a lot of comedy shows and films]], ranging from [[RecordedAndStandUpComedy stand-up]] showcases to [[SitCom sitcoms]] to SketchComedy series, and the network's own original programming are some of the best-known shows in the genre. As a result, Comedy Central is noted for being one of the few cable networks that have successfully avoided even coming close to NetworkDecay, at least partly because comedy is such a broad topic.

That being said, the network has come under fire for producing and airing shows that have been criticized for [[AnimatedShockComedy relying on shock value to be funny]]. [[note]]Some of the Comedy Central [[TheRoast Roasts]] after [[Series/ComedyCentralRoastOfPamelaAnderson the one]] honoring Creator/PamelaAnderson, ''Series/Tosh0'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}'' being huge offenders[[/note]] As TheNewTens continued, Comedy Central's original programming was noted to have broadened towards shows derived from quirky situations and politics, with other programs being aimed at females and minorities (without deriving from racial humor).

In 2020, coming off the re-merger between Viacom and Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation, the newly renamed [=ViacomCBS=] would begin to prioritize in-house productions and owned IP over programs produced by outside studios. Comedy Central would see a renewed interest in adult animation as a result, announcing revivals of Creator/{{MTV}}'s ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButtHead'', a new ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' spin-off starring Jodie, and a reboot of Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}'s ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow''. The network would also launch a new daytime animation block in March (originally dubbed ''Animation Contamination''), currently featuring syndicated reruns of ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow''. Consequentially, Comedy Central would decrease its scripted live-action slate, announcing the cancellations of ''Series/DrunkHistory'' and ''Series/Tosh0'', while other shows [[ChannelHop would picked up]] by rival streaming services.

International versions of Comedy Central have launched in New Zealand, Latin America, and much of Europe. In the U.K and Ireland, Paramount Comedy was relaunched as a local version of Comedy Central and, incidentally, is one of the few British networks that are InNameOnly to their U.S counterpart; the bulk of Comedy Central's original programming usually finds itself on other channels first.

Beginning in 2019, Comedy Central content was added to the free streaming service Creator/PlutoTV.

The network also owns Creator/ComedyCentralRecords, which specializes in RecordedAndStandUpComedy.

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
[[index]]
* ''Series/AlmostLive'' (1992-93)[[note]] Sketch show in Seattle with performers such as Bill Nye, Patt Cashmen, and quite a few others. Only aired briefly on Comedy Central. [[/note]]
* ''Series/AnotherPeriod'' (2015-16, 2018)
* ''Series/AtMidnight'' (2013-17)
* ''Series/AwkwafinaIsNoraFromQueens'' (2020-present)
* ''Series/{{Battlebots}}'' (2000-02; it was revived by Creator/{{ABC}} in 2015 and now airs on Creator/DiscoveryChannel)
* ''Series/BeatTheGeeks'' (2001-02)
* ''Series/BigTimeInHollywoodFL'' (2015)
* ''Series/BlarkAndSon'' (2018-2021)
* ''Series/{{Blockbusters}}'' (2019 revival, UK only)
* ''Series/BroadCity'' (2014-17, 2019)
* ''Series/ChappellesShow'' (2003-04, 2006)
* ''Series/ChocolateNews'' (2008)
* ''Series/TheColbertReport'' (2005-14)
* ''Comedy Central Presents'' (1998-2011): One of the channel's longest-running shows, a collection of stand-up comedy from many up-and-coming comedians. It was canceled in 2011, but did rerun from time to time until 2018, mostly during late nights and early mornings after the infomercials stop running.
* ''Series/ComedyCentralRoastOfPamelaAnderson'' (2005)
* ''Comedy Product'' (1995)
* ''Series/{{Corporate}}'' (2018-20)
* ''Series/CrankYankers'' (2002-05, 2019-present; Creator/{{MTV}} briefly ran a revival in 2007)
* ''Series/TheDailyShow'' (1996-present)
** ''Series/TheDailyShowWithJonStewart'' (1999-2015)
** ''Series/TheDailyShowWithTrevorNoah'' (2015-2022)
* ''Series/{{Distraction}}'' (2005-06)
* ''Series/DrunkHistory'' (2013-19)
* ''Don't Forget Your Toothbrush'' (2000; originally aired on Channel 4)
* ''Series/Exit57'' (1995-96)
* ''Series/TheGongShow with Dave Attell'' (2008)
* ''WebVideo/{{Idiotsitter}}'' (2016-17; originally a web series)
* ''Series/ImportantThingsWithDemetriMartin'' (2009-10)
* ''Series/InsideAmySchumer'' (2013-16)
* ''Series/InsomniacWithDaveAttell'' (2001-04)
* ''Series/TheJeselnikOffensive'' (2013)
* ''Series/TheJimJefferiesShow'' (2017-19)
* ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' (2012-15)
* ''Series/KrodMandoonAndTheFlamingSwordOfFire'' (2009)
* ''Series/KrollShow'' (2013-15)
* ''Radio/LoZooDi105'' (2008-12; LiveActionAdaptation of the Italian show of the same name)
* ''Series/MakeMeLaugh'' (1997-98 revival)
* ''Series/TheManShow'' (1999-2004)
* ''Series/MindOfMencia'' (2005-08)
* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' (1991-96), the network's first original series and a holdover from the old Comedy Channel network (before its merger with Ha!). Later did a ChannelHop to Creator/{{Syfy}}.
* ''Series/NathanForYou'' (2013-15, 2017)
* ''Series/TheNightlyShow'' (2015-16)
* ''Series/TheOppositionWithJordanKlepper'' (2017-18)
* ''Series/TheOtherTwo'' (2019; moved to Creator/HBOMax in 2021)
* ''Politically Incorrect'' (1993-97), moved to ABC
* ''Series/ThePresidentShow'' (2017)
* ''Series/PrimetimeGlick'' (2001-03)
* ''Series/{{Reno 911}}'' (2003-20), revived for a single season on Quibi.
* ''Series/{{Review}}'' (2014-15, 2017), an American adaptation of the Australian series ''Series/ReviewWithMylesBarlow''.
* ''Series/RootOfAllEvil'' (2008)
* ''Series/TheSarahSilvermanProgram'' (2007-08, 2010)
* ''Series/SecretGirlfriend'' (2009)
* ''Series/{{Stella|US}}'' (2005)
* ''Series/StrangersWithCandy'' (1999-2000)
* ''Series/{{Taskmaster|US}}'' (2018), an American remake of the [[Series/{{Taskmaster}} same-named British series]]
* ''Series/ThatsMyBush'' (2001)
* ''Series/Tosh0'' (2009-20)
* ''Series/TriggerHappyTV'' (2003; U.S. version)
* ''Series/TVFunhouse'' (2000-01)
* ''Series/UprightCitizensBrigade'' (1998-2000)
* ''Series/WinBenSteinsMoney'' (1997-2003)
* ''Series/{{Workaholics}}'' (2011-17)
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButtHead'' (2022), after its ChannelHop from Creator/{{MTV}}
* ''WesternAnimation/BobAndMargaret'' (1998-2000; only the first two seasons, the last two aired on Creator/{{Showtime}})
* ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'' (through syndication, one of the first Creator/{{Netflix}} original to go to linear TV, for long and complicated reasons) [[note]]Early Originals let the owners of the show keep the syndication rights. ''Bojack'''s was sold to Creator/{{Lionsgate}}, which sold it to Comedy Central. Before ''Bojack'', ''Series/{{House of Cards|US}}'' was syndicated to Canadian station CHCH Hamilton.[[/note]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}'' (2012-15)
* ''WesternAnimation/ClerksTheAnimatedSeries'' (2002; episodes 1, 3 and 5-6 aired for the first time on American television on that channel after having only been seen on home video; episodes four and two respectively first premiered on Creator/{{ABC}})
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Digman}}'' (2023-present)
* ''WesternAnimation/DrKatzProfessionalTherapist'' (1995-99, 2002)
* ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether'' (2004-07)
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Fairview}}'' (2022)
* ''WesternAnimation/FreakShow'' (2006)
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' (2008-13), after its ChannelHop from Creator/{{Fox}}
* ''WesternAnimation/KidNotorious'' (2003)
* ''WesternAnimation/LaFamiliaDelBarrio'', (created in 2004 for Teco Lebrija, on Comedy Central Latinoamerica and Creator/MTV since 2013)
* ''WesternAnimation/LegendsOfChamberlainHeights'' (2016-17)
* ''WesternAnimation/LilBush'' (2007-08)
* ''WesternAnimation/MoonbeamCity'' (2015)
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' (1997-present), the channel's long-running animated series
* ''Shorties Watchin' Shorties'' (2004)
* ''WesternAnimation/TripTank'' (2014-16)
** ''WesternAnimation/JeffAndSomeAliens'' (2017)
* ''WesternAnimation/UglyAmericans'' (2010-12)
[[/index]]
[[/folder]]
----
!!Tropes exhibited by Comedy Central include:
* AdoredByTheNetwork: ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' has always been this for the network since it premiered, to the point that most of the network's air-time is reruns of this show.
** ''Series/Reno911'', ''Series/{{Workaholics}}'', and ''Series/BroadCity'' were all successful enough to be renewed for multiple seasons since they were very popular with critics and the hire-ups at the network, although ''Reno 911!'' ended up being cancelled before being revived by Quibi in 2020.
** ''Series/ChappellesShow'' remains in reruns to this very day, despite being cancelled in 2006 and only lasting for 28 episodes.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' used to be this for the network as well, as reruns of the shows were on the network starting in 2008, was renewed for two 26-episode seasons by the network, and remained in circulation on the network until 2021 where it shockingly went back to [[Creator/AdultSwim its original syndication home]].
** ''Series/MadTV'', ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', and ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'' were this before the rights of ''[=MADtv=]'' and ''Always Sunny'' were expired and ''Scrubs'' seemingly vanished from the network, with sporadic returns every once in a blue moon.
** And now the ''Series/TheOfficeUS'', ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'', and ''Series/ParksAndRecreation'' became daily stables for the network, especially ''The Office''. These reruns have been popular enough that Comedy Central has since picked up the rights to more beloved sitcoms, including ''Series/{{Friends}}'', ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', and ''Series/BrooklynNineNine''
** ''Series/Tosh0'' was this for the longest time before being ScrewedByTheNetwork.
* AnimatedShockComedy: TropeCodifier with their original series ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark''. With the exception of ''WesternAnimation/DrKatzProfessionalTherapist'' and some syndicated series like ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Duckman}}'', almost all of their animated series are this, especially ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}''.
* CashCowFranchise: ''South Park'' and ''Series/TheDailyShow'' are this for the network, as they practically staples of the network and are the longest-running, most watched, and most profitable shows on the network.
* ChannelHop:
** The network itself was originally owned between Viacom and Time Warner (now Creator/ParamountGlobal and Creator/WarnerMedia respectively) before Viacom bought out Time Warner's interest in 2003.
* DarkerAndEdgier: Their comedies are much more edgier, risque, offensive, and politically-charged than the sitcoms on sister networks TV Land and Creator/NickAtNite.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Original programming was very scarce in the early years of the network and the network's identity isn't like it is today.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Most of their unsuccessful series from the 90s to the 2000s never saw the light of day on any form of media, making them incredibly hard to find even in bootleg form.
* ScrewedByTheNetwork: Any show that are seen by the network as being dead-on-arrival are this.
** ''TV Funhouse'' was cancelled because it was far too expensive for the network.
** Any animated series not ''South Park'' are this. Only ''WesternAnimation/DrKatzProfessionalTherapist'' survived being cancelled after two or three seasons.
** Just about any series up until 2011 that premiered in the 10:30 timeslot on Wednesdays (after ''South Park'') is this.
*** An amusing example is ''Big Lake''. Its fate was revealed by ''Tosh.0's'' cancelled Comedy Central series gag ("We'll be right back with more...") ''before its first season even finished airing''.
** Comedy Central was not kind to ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' when they picked it up. The series was giving scant promotion for its addition (contrast with ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'' which was heavily promoted) and episodes were often shown during the wee hours of the morning, when nobody would be awake. A year later, the network gave up the rights to the show and decided to make ''The Cleveland Show'' a permanent part of the schedule, despite that show having way less episodes and middling success at best.
** ''Tosh.0'' became this during the late years of its run, with almost all reruns being dumped to Pluto TV and airings on the network being relegated to only premiers. To make matters worse, the network scrapped a four-season renewal and instead cancelled the show on August 2020, a month before the twelfth and final season even aired.