"The Comedy Awards" to Be Simulcast With Web Exclusive Content on thecomedyawards.com

NEW YORK, April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- COMEDY CENTRAL, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that "The Comedy Awards," the first-ever multi-network, multi-platform, annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy, will be simulcast on the Web at thecomedyawards.com.  The stream will also be accessible on iPhones, iPads and Android mobile devices.  The Webcast, sponsored by Pizza Hut, will be hosted by comedians Andrew Daly ("Semi-Pro," "Eastbound & Down") and Jen Kirkman ("Chelsea Lately") and will feature expanded digital exclusive coverage of the inaugural event.  "The Comedy Awards" is airing on Sunday, April 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on COMEDY CENTRAL and across multiple MTV Networks including Spike TV, VH1, CMT, TV Land and Logo.  The two-hour event was taped at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on March 26.

"The Comedy Awards" will stream the exclusive Webcast through its official Website, thecomedyawards.com.  During the on-air broadcast, COMEDY CENTRAL will feature the Twitter hashtag "#ComedyAwards," encouraging fan commentary and interaction throughout the webcast and telecast.  In addition, webcast hosts and other talent associated with "The Comedy Awards" will be live tweeting during the on-air broadcast, accompanied by extensive promotion across the MTV Network sites and social networks.

"The Comedy Awards" Webcast will kick off its coverage with an exclusive Pre-Show beginning Sunday, April 10 at 8:45 p.m. ET/PT.  The Pre-Show will feature hosted red carpet interviews from comedian Christian Finnegan ("Best Week Ever"), commentary from Daly and Kirkman, rehearsal coverage from The Hammerstein Ballroom and the first of three original parody videos by the sketch group BriTANick, a nominee in "The Comedy Awards" "Best Viral Original" category.  The simulcast of the on-air broadcast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.  During the breaks, the Webcast will stream Intermission Coverage hosted by Daly and Kirkman, featuring commentary, interviews with the winners backstage and more.

Webcast exclusive interviews include Ty Burrell, Louis C.K., Stephen Colbert, Rob Corrdry, The Gregory Brothers, Bill Hader, Chloe Moretz, Olivia Munn, Craig Robinson, Questlove & The Roots, Andy Samberg, Kristin Schall, Jon Stewart and many more.

"The Comedy Awards" on-air broadcast is sponsored by Craftsman, Geico, Microsoft and Pizza Hut.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 98 million homes nationwide.  COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks.  COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.  For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @comedycentralpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos. 

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications