The channel launched as Paramount Comedy 2 in the UK and Ireland on 1 September 2003 on Sky, and followed soon after on 22 September 2003 on Telewest and 15 October 2003 on NTL. The channel was originally a so-called 'timeshift' service, offering programmes from Paramount Comedy at different times. It later started broadcasting some different programming from Paramount, often British. On 17 February 2009, it was announced that both Paramount Comedy 1 and Paramount Comedy 2 would be re-branded as Comedy Central and Comedy Central Extra on 6 April 2009 at 9 pm. The name change coincided with the launch of a new programming line-up which included new episodes of Two and a Half Men, The Office and South Park. On 1 November 2011, Comedy Central Extra launched a localised version in the Netherlands through cable operator Ziggo. Followed by KPN on 15 January 2012 and UPC Netherlands on 1 April 2012. On 1 August 2012, the channel launched in the Adriatic region: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. Comedy Central Familyclosed in the Netherlands on 31 May 2018. However, some of its programmes moved to Comedy Central Extra. On 14 July 2020, Comedy Central Extra closed in the Adriatic region, and is being replaced with a localised version of Nicktoons.
Timeshift service
Within the UK and Ireland, a timeshift service called Comedy Central Extra +1 was launched on Sky on 5 November 2007. The channel reduced its hours to 7 pm – 6am on 4 August 2008, as Nicktoonsters launched on 18 August 2008. On 2 October 2012, the channel began to run full-time again following the closure of Nicktoons Replay. Coinciding with the closures of MTV OMG, MTV Rocks and Club MTV on 20 July 2020, the timeshift channel also closed as part of this change, along with the timeshifts for MTV and MTV Music.
Programming
Comedy Central Extra currently airs a variety of American comedy in the daytime including Friends and Scrubs. After 10 pm, the shows are a mix of American and British comedy with shows including Russell Howard's Good News, South Park and The Cleveland Show. In January 2007, the channel switched from mainly American programmes to classic British programming with shows such as Seinfeld, Cheers and Roseanne being replaced by Bless This House, George & Mildred and The Upper Hand. In February 2007, the channel had a 'British Classics' season, with such hits as Spitting Image and Monty Python'sFlying Circus. At weekends, the channel used to screen classic British comedy such as The Upper Hand, Bless This House, George and Mildred, Brush Strokes, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Don't Wait Up and Mr. Bean.
