24/7 Comedy is a Ratings Winner - Hit-Driven All-Comedy Radio Format Triples Ratings, Proves Canadians Love to Laugh

TORONTO, May 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's first short-attention-span, hit-oriented, all-comedy radio format is delivering the goods when it comes to audience numbers at CKSL in London, Ontario.

Re-Branded as "FUNNY 1410", CKSL made the format change from Oldies to 24/7 Comedy in January 2012 and the station has enjoyed an unprecedented jump in ratings ever since.

Recent BBM market surveys show a staggering 850% increase in Cume for the Adult 18-34 demographic. Similar market share increases with both women and men, 18- 44, have moved CKSL to the #1 AM station in the market and catapulted it ahead of many FM stations as well.

Funny 1410 Brand Director, Al Smith, is ecstatic at the success of the format:  "We couldn't be more thrilled with how our format flip from Oldies to FUNNY 1410 has worked out.  Just like that Seinfeld episode where George gets caught by Jerry's girlfriend with his bathing suit off - there was some serious "shrinkage" with Oldies on AM!  The time had come to try something new and innovative and the 24/7 Comedy numbers don't lie; listeners in London love to laugh."

Syndicated by Orbyt Media, 24/7 Comedy is available across Canada as a full-format option, or for overnight programming in select markets. This exclusive partnership with the producers of 24/7 Comedy, The Donkey Comedy Network (DCN), builds on a similar success story in the United States and marks an exciting new format option for radio markets in Canada.

"24/7 Comedy Radio is a unique addition to Orbyt's library of compelling radio brands for the Canadian market," says Lesley Soldat, General Manager of Orbyt Media. "The content is pitch perfect funny and the Top-40-inspired presentation is unlike any other comedy product on radio. We believe 24/7 Comedy will do for radio what The Comedy Network has done for TV."

Bill Bungeroth, President and Founder of the Donkey Comedy Network, agrees: "Comedy's universal appeal breezes through customs and across borders. The dynamics of comedy don't change at a certain parallel on the globe, and neither do the business objectives of a radio station. 24/7 Comedy Radio presents the same opportunity for a Canadian radio station to differentiate itself with a unique brand in its market as a U.S. station."

24/7 Comedy Radio features the biggest names in comedy, including Louis CK, Aziz Ansari, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Lewis Black, Whitney Cummings and many, many others.

About 24/7 Comedy Radio
24/7 Comedy Radio is a 24-hour format designed to meet North America's insatiable appetite for all things funny. The comedy format is targeted to hit the funny bone of today's 18 - to 44-year-old adults. It showcases established and emerging comedians in a rapid-fire comedic delivery and is hosted by an array of stand-up and improvisational comedians. Recognizing North America's need for a laugh and capitalizing on the growth of comedy on the web, TV, and movies, the format is designed to build cume. A PPM friendly format, it has been shaped by Harker Research and Vallie-Richards-Donovan Consulting. For more information, visit 247comedyradio.com.

About Orbyt Media
Orbyt is Canada's premiere content syndication group, providing the most comprehensive lineup of feature programs and broadcast services to over 260 stations across the country. A division of media giant Astral Media, Orbyt is strategically positioned to distribute and build brands across not just Astral Radio stations, but every Radio Broadcast Group in Canada. Orbyt exclusively represents such top-rated multi-platform entertainment properties as 'On Air' and 'American Top 40' with Ryan Seacrest, 'TMZ Daily', 'The 80s Show 'with Stu Jeffries and "KCC", 'Sixx Sense' with Nikki Sixx , The Secret History of Rock, 'The John Tesh Radio Show' and 'The Blair Garner Show' along with top tier imaging services like Production Vault , Sheet Happens, Wise Buddah and Reelworld Mornings among more than 50 other branded content titles.  For more information, visit orbytmedia.com.

About Astral
Founded in 1961, Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates several of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit astral.com.

Lesley Soldat, VP, GM, Orbyt Media, 416.934.4462
Christian Bailey, Business Development, Orbyt Media, 416.934.4472