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| name = Laff
| name = Laff
| logo = LAFF logo.png
| logo = LAFF logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| type = [[Digital subchannel|Digital multicast]] [[television network]] ([[Comedy]])
| type = [[Digital subchannel|Digital multicast]] [[television network]] ([[Comedy]])
| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
Line 17: Line 16:
| affiliates = [[List of Laff affiliates|see list]]
| affiliates = [[List of Laff affiliates|see list]]
| website = {{URL|laff.com|Laff.com}}
| website = {{URL|laff.com|Laff.com}}
| online_serv_1 = Service(s)
| online_chan_1 = [[Frndly TV]], [[Sling TV]]
}}
}}


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==History==
==History==
Laff's launch was announced by [[Katz Broadcasting]] in January 2015 as having a scheduled launch date of {{dts|2015|04|15}}, coinciding with [[Tax Day]] in the [[United States]]; the explanation by Katz is that people needed "something to laugh to" on what they deemed one of the most stressful days of the year. The network launched at Noon that day; the first program was the film ''[[My Mom's New Boyfriend]]''.<ref name="bc0">{{cite news |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=January 18, 2015 |title=Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps |periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |publisher=[[NewBay Media]] |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/exclusive-comedy-multicast-net-launching-abc-scripps/137199 |access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref>
Laff's launch was announced by [[Katz Broadcasting]] in January 2015 as having a scheduled launch date of {{dts|2015|04|15}}, coinciding with [[Tax Day]] in the [[United States]]; the explanation by Katz is that people needed "something to laugh to" on what they deemed one of the most stressful days of the year. The network launched at Noon that day; the first program was the film ''[[My Mom's New Boyfriend]]''.<ref name="bc0">{{cite news |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=January 18, 2015 |title=Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps |periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/exclusive-comedy-multicast-net-launching-abc-scripps/137199 |access-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121000314/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/exclusive-comedy-multicast-net-launching-abc-scripps/137199 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Katz announced that television stations owned by [[ABC Owned Television Stations]] and 13 [[E. W. Scripps Company]] would serve as the network's charter affiliates; the former serving as a replacement for the standard definition feed of the [[Localish|Live Well Network]], which with Laff's announcement also began to roll-back to only being carried by ABCOTS stations.<ref name="ABCSticksLWN">{{cite news|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=ABC Sticks with Live Well Digital Channel, Adds Comedy Net|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-sticks-with-live-well-digital-channel-adds-comedy-net-1201408301/|access-date=January 28, 2015|work=Variety|date=January 18, 2015}}</ref><ref name=bn>{{cite news|last1=Pergament|first1=Alan|title=Ch.7 to add comedy network called LAFF in mid-April on sub-channel|url=http://talkintv.buffalonews.com/2015/01/20/ch-7-add-comedy-network-called-Laff-Mid-April-sub-channel/|access-date=January 28, 2015|work=Talkin' TV|publisher=Buffalo News|date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> On March 13, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced an affiliation deal with the [[Cox Media Group]] to carry Laff on the subchannels of seven of its stations expanding its initial reach to 47% of the country.<ref name="BC03132015">{{cite web |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=March 13, 2015 |title=Cox Gets Joke And Gives Viewers LAFF |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/exclusive-cox-gets-joke-and-gives-viewers-laff/138771 |publisher=NewBay Media |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref> The following week on March 20, as part of a multi-network affiliation agreement with Katz, the [[Meredith Corporation]] announced that it would carry the network on two of its stations.<ref name=TVNewsCheck03202015>{{cite news|title=Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83908/Meredith-to-add-three-katz-diginets|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=March 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Jon Lafayette">{{cite news|title=Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/meredith-carry-grit-escape-laff-networks/138986|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref>
Katz announced that television stations owned by [[ABC Owned Television Stations]] and 13 [[E. W. Scripps Company]] would serve as the network's charter affiliates; the former serving as a replacement for the standard definition feed of the [[Localish|Live Well Network]], which with Laff's announcement also began to roll-back to only being carried by ABCOTS stations.<ref name="ABCSticksLWN">{{cite news|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=ABC Sticks with Live Well Digital Channel, Adds Comedy Net|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-sticks-with-live-well-digital-channel-adds-comedy-net-1201408301/|access-date=January 28, 2015|work=Variety|date=January 18, 2015|archive-date=January 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122225649/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-sticks-with-live-well-digital-channel-adds-comedy-net-1201408301/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=bn>{{cite news|last1=Pergament|first1=Alan|title=Ch.7 to add comedy network called LAFF in mid-April on sub-channel|url=http://talkintv.buffalonews.com/2015/01/20/ch-7-add-comedy-network-called-Laff-Mid-April-sub-channel/|access-date=January 28, 2015|work=Talkin' TV|publisher=Buffalo News|date=January 20, 2015|archive-date=January 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125003127/http://talkintv.buffalonews.com/2015/01/20/ch-7-add-comedy-network-called-laff-mid-april-sub-channel/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 13, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced an affiliation deal with the [[Cox Media Group]] to carry Laff on the subchannels of seven of its stations expanding its initial reach to 47% of the country.<ref name="BC03132015">{{cite web |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=March 13, 2015 |title=Cox Gets Joke And Gives Viewers LAFF |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/exclusive-cox-gets-joke-and-gives-viewers-laff/138771 |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=March 14, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315072602/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/exclusive-cox-gets-joke-and-gives-viewers-laff/138771 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following week on March 20, as part of a multi-network affiliation agreement with Katz, the [[Meredith Corporation]] announced that it would carry the network on two of its stations.<ref name=TVNewsCheck03202015>{{cite news|title=Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83908/Meredith-to-add-three-katz-diginets|website=TVNewsCheck|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=May 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525012629/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83908/meredith-to-add-three-katz-diginets|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jon Lafayette">{{cite news|title=Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/meredith-carry-grit-escape-laff-networks/138986|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102540/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/meredith-carry-grit-escape-laff-networks/138986|url-status=live}}</ref>


On February 13, 2015, Laff acquired the [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] rights to five sitcoms.<ref name=tnc0>{{cite news|title=LAFF Comedy Diginet Lands Five Sitcoms|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/82990/laff-comedy-diginet-lands-five-sitcoms|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=February 13, 2015}}</ref> Laff followed that deal for film licensing with [[Disney–ABC Domestic Television]], [[Miramax]], and [[Sony Pictures Television]] by March 17.<ref name=bc1>{{cite news|title=LAFF Makes Rights Deals to Air 250 Movie Comedies|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/laff-makes-rights-deals-air-250-movie-comedies/138853|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Laff made a multi-year deal for five sitcoms with [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey-Werner Productions]] in April 2016.<ref name="bc4">{{cite news |last1=Lafayette |first1=Jon |title=LAFF Grabs Top Sitcoms in Carsey-Werner Deal |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/laff-grabs-top-sitcoms-Carsey-Werner-deal-155312 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=April 7, 2016 |language=en-us}}</ref> ''[[Roseanne]]'' reruns were removed on May 29, 2018, after [[Roseanne Barr]] was fired from the show by ABC (which then continued on as ''[[The Conners]]''); both decisions were based on [[Roseanne Barr#Valerie Jarrett tweet and Roseanne cancellation|a Roseanne Barr tweet considered racist]].<ref name="dl0">{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='Roseanne' Dropped From Laff Schedule; "Disgusted" By Barr's Racist Comments |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/Roseanne-dropped-laff-schedule-Roseanne-Barr-comments-1202399508/ |access-date=June 22, 2018 |work=Deadline |date=29 May 2018}}</ref>
On February 13, 2015, Laff acquired the [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] rights to five sitcoms.<ref name=tnc0>{{cite news|title=LAFF Comedy Diginet Lands Five Sitcoms|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/82990/laff-comedy-diginet-lands-five-sitcoms|website=TVNewsCheck|date=February 13, 2015|access-date=February 16, 2015|archive-date=February 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216154641/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/82990/laff-comedy-diginet-lands-five-sitcoms|url-status=live}}</ref> Laff followed that deal for film licensing with [[Disney–ABC Domestic Television]], [[Miramax]], and [[Sony Pictures Television]] by March 17.<ref name=bc1>{{cite news|title=LAFF Makes Rights Deals to Air 250 Movie Comedies|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/laff-makes-rights-deals-air-250-movie-comedies/138853|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-date=April 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416135329/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/laff-makes-rights-deals-air-250-movie-comedies/138853|url-status=live}}</ref> Laff made a multi-year deal for five sitcoms with [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey-Werner Productions]] in April 2016.<ref name="bc4">{{cite news |last1=Lafayette |first1=Jon |title=LAFF Grabs Top Sitcoms in Carsey-Werner Deal |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/laff-grabs-top-sitcoms-Carsey-Werner-deal-155312 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=April 7, 2016 |language=en-us |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907183214/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/laff-grabs-top-sitcoms-carsey-werner-deal-155312 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Roseanne]]'' reruns were removed on May 29, 2018, after [[Roseanne Barr]] was fired from the show by ABC (which then continued on as ''[[The Conners]]''); both decisions were based on [[Roseanne Barr#Valerie Jarrett tweet and Roseanne cancellation|a Roseanne Barr tweet considered racist]].<ref name="dl0">{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='Roseanne' Dropped From Laff Schedule; "Disgusted" By Barr's Racist Comments |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/roseanne-dropped-laff-schedule-roseanne-barr-comments-1202399508/ |access-date=June 22, 2018 |work=Deadline |date=29 May 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622220346/https://deadline.com/2018/05/roseanne-dropped-laff-schedule-roseanne-barr-comments-1202399508/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


A list of 2019 [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] ratings published by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' indicated that Laff averaged 223,000 viewers in prime time, down 5% from the 2018 average.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Michael |title=Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2019's Winners and Losers |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/network-ratings-top-channels-Fox-News-ESPN-CNN-CBS-NBC-ABC-1203440870/ |access-date=March 6, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=26 Dec 2019}}</ref>
A list of 2019 [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] ratings published by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' indicated that Laff averaged 223,000 viewers in prime time, down 5% from the 2018 average.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Michael |title=Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2019's Winners and Losers |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/network-ratings-top-channels-Fox-News-ESPN-CNN-CBS-NBC-ABC-1203440870/ |access-date=March 6, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=26 Dec 2019 |archive-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106110035/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/network-ratings-top-channels-fox-news-espn-cnn-cbs-nbc-abc-1203440870/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


The network moved off [[ABC Owned Television Stations]] at the beginning of 2021, in favor of new carriage on Scripps's recently acquired [[Ion Media]] stations in place of the now-defunct [[Qubo]], [[Ion Plus]] and Ion Shop networks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balderston |first=Michael |date=2021-01-14 |title=Scripps Moving Multicast Networks onto Ion TV Stations |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/scripps-moving-multicast-networks-onto-ion-tv-stations |website=TVTechnology |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114110509/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/scripps-moving-multicast-networks-onto-ion-tv-stations |archive-date= Jan 14, 2024 }}</ref>
The network moved off [[ABC Owned Television Stations]] at the beginning of 2021, in favor of new carriage on Scripps's recently acquired [[Ion Media]] stations in place of the now-defunct [[Qubo]], [[Ion Plus]] and Ion Shop networks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balderston |first=Michael |date=2021-01-14 |title=Scripps Moving Multicast Networks onto Ion TV Stations |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/scripps-moving-multicast-networks-onto-ion-tv-stations |website=TVTechnology |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114110509/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/scripps-moving-multicast-networks-onto-ion-tv-stations |archive-date= Jan 14, 2024 }}</ref>


In July 2023, the managing company of Laff announced a [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] streaming channel counterpart of Laff, called Laff More.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=2023-07-17 |title=Scripps Launching Streaming Court TV and Laff Channels |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-launching-streaming-court-tv-and-laff-channels |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Broadcasting Cable |language=en |publisher=Next TV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827014200/https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-launching-streaming-court-tv-and-laff-channels |archive-date=2023-08-27 }}</ref>
In July 2023, the managing company of Laff announced an [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] streaming channel counterpart of Laff, called Laff More.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=2023-07-17 |title=Scripps Launching Streaming Court TV and Laff Channels |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-launching-streaming-court-tv-and-laff-channels |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Broadcasting Cable |language=en |publisher=Next TV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827014200/https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-launching-streaming-court-tv-and-laff-channels |archive-date=2023-08-27 }}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
Laff provides comedy programming to owned-and-operated and affiliated stations every day from 6:00&nbsp;a.m. to 3:00&nbsp;a.m. Eastern Time, with paid programming filling the remaining vacated hours. Laff's schedule mainly consists of 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s [[broadcast syndication|off-network]] sitcoms.<ref name="ct">{{cite news |last=Channick |first=Robert |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Laff comedy network to launch on WLS-Ch.7 digital subchannel |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-laff-digital-network-wls-0120-biz-20150119-story.html |access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ABCSticksLWN"/> On September 1, 2021, [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar]] launched a direct competitor to Laff, [[Rewind TV]], and the latter network replaced Laff on Nexstar stations (or will in the upcoming months if not immediately possible due to contractual obligations).
Laff provides comedy programming to owned-and-operated and affiliated stations every day from 6:00&nbsp;a.m. to 3:00&nbsp;a.m. Eastern Time, with paid programming filling the remaining vacated hours. Laff's schedule mainly consists of 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s [[broadcast syndication|off-network]] sitcoms.<ref name="ct">{{cite news |last=Channick |first=Robert |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Laff comedy network to launch on WLS-Ch.7 digital subchannel |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-laff-digital-network-wls-0120-biz-20150119-story.html |access-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127120130/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-laff-digital-network-wls-0120-biz-20150119-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ABCSticksLWN"/> On September 1, 2021, [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar]] launched a direct competitor to Laff, [[Rewind TV]], and the latter network replaced Laff on Nexstar stations (or will in the upcoming months if not immediately possible due to contractual obligations).


===Movies===
===Movies===
Laff carries three to four comedic films throughout its weekend schedule.
Laff carries three to four comedic films throughout its weekend schedule. Laff also carries one movie throughout during early Monday through Friday Mornings.


===Current programming===
===Current programming===
*''[[That '70s Show]]''
*''[[According to Jim]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/laff-to-launch-according-to-jim-in-access|title=Laff to Launch 'According to Jim' in Access|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=March 1, 2019 |publisher=Next TV |language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref>
*''[[According to Jim]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/laff-to-launch-according-to-jim-in-access|title=Laff to Launch 'According to Jim' in Access|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=March 1, 2019|publisher=Next TV|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-18|archive-date=2019-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418194834/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/laff-to-launch-according-to-jim-in-access|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[ALF (TV series)|ALF]]''
*''[[ALF (TV series)|ALF]]''
*''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]''
*''[[Bob Hearts Abishola]]''
*''[[The Conners]]''
*''Funniest Pets & People'' (also aired on [[Qubo]] until it ceased operations on February 28, 2021. Also on Laff More.)
*''[[Grounded for Life]]''<ref name="bc4" />
*''[[Grounded for Life]]''<ref name="bc4" />
*''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laff |title=Laff Lands Home Improvement in Multi-Year Licensing Agreement With The Disney/ABC Television Group, To Debut Hit Comedy This Fall |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laff-lands-home-improvement-in-multi-year-licensing-agreement-with-the-disneyabc-television-group-to-debut-hit-comedy-this-fall-300610132.html |date=March 7, 2018 |website=PR Newswire |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116033333/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laff-lands-home-improvement-in-multi-year-licensing-agreement-with-the-disneyabc-television-group-to-debut-hit-comedy-this-fall-300610132.html |archive-date= Nov 16, 2023 }}</ref>
*''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]''<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Laff |title=Laff Lands Home Improvement in Multi-Year Licensing Agreement With The Disney/ABC Television Group, To Debut Hit Comedy This Fall |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laff-lands-home-improvement-in-multi-year-licensing-agreement-with-the-disneyabc-television-group-to-debut-hit-comedy-this-fall-300610132.html |date=March 7, 2018 |website=PR Newswire |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116033333/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laff-lands-home-improvement-in-multi-year-licensing-agreement-with-the-disneyabc-television-group-to-debut-hit-comedy-this-fall-300610132.html |archive-date= Nov 16, 2023 }}</ref>
*''[[Just for Laughs Gags]]''
*''[[Just for Laughs Gags]]''
*''[[Last Man Standing (American TV series)|Last Man Standing]]''
*''[[Last Man Standing (American TV series)|Last Man Standing]]''
*''[[Man with a Plan (TV series)|Man with a Plan]]''
*''[[Man with a Plan (TV series)|Man with a Plan]]''
*''Saturday Morning LaffBacks''
*''World's Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown''<ref name=bc1 />
*''World's Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[That '70s Show]]''


===Former programming===
===Former programming===
Line 63: Line 61:
*''[[Ellen (TV series)|Ellen]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[Ellen (TV series)|Ellen]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[Empty Nest]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[Empty Nest]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]''
*''Funniest Pets & People'' (also aired on [[Qubo]] until it ceased operations on February 28, 2021. Moved to Laff More!.)
*''[[Grace Under Fire]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[Grace Under Fire]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[How I Met Your Mother]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[How I Met Your Mother]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''Life's Funniest Moments''
*''Life's Funniest Moments''
*''[[The Millers]]''
*''[[Night Court]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[Night Court]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[The Odd Couple (2015 TV series)]]''
*''[[Roseanne]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''[[Roseanne]]''<ref name="dl0" />
*''Saturday Morning LaffBacks''
*''[[Spin City]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[Spin City]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]''<ref name=bc1 />
*''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]''<ref name=bc1 />
Line 76: Line 77:
== Affiliates ==
== Affiliates ==
{{main|List of Laff affiliates}}
{{main|List of Laff affiliates}}
{{As of|2022|07|20}}, Laff has 425 current or pending affiliation agreements with television stations in 48 states, plus the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]], covering 91.3% of the United States.<ref name="AffiliatesforLaff">{{cite web|title=Stations for Network - Laff|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=network_search&network=Laff|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=July 20, 2022}}</ref>
{{As of|2022|07|20}}, Laff has 425 current or pending affiliation agreements with television stations in 48 states, plus the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]], covering 91.3% of the United States.<ref name="AffiliatesforLaff">{{cite web|title=Stations for Network - Laff|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=network_search&network=Laff|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=July 20, 2022|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129001900/https://rabbitears.info/search.php?request=network_search&network=Laff|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 20:45, 19 December 2024

Laff
TypeDigital multicast television network (Comedy)
CountryUnited States
Affiliatessee list
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia
Programming
Picture format480i (SDTV) 16:9 widescreen
Ownership
OwnerE. W. Scripps Company
ParentScripps Networks, LLC
Key people
  • Jonathan Katz
  • (president/CEO,
  • Katz Broadcasting)
History
FoundedJanuary 18, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-01-18)
LaunchedApril 15, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-04-15)
FounderJonathan Katz
Links
WebsiteLaff.com

Laff (legal name: Laff Media, LLC) is an American digital multicast television network headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and is owned by the Scripps Networks subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company. The network specializes in comedy programming, featuring mainly sitcoms from the 1990s through the 2020s.[1]

History

[edit]

Laff's launch was announced by Katz Broadcasting in January 2015 as having a scheduled launch date of April 15, 2015, coinciding with Tax Day in the United States; the explanation by Katz is that people needed "something to laugh to" on what they deemed one of the most stressful days of the year. The network launched at Noon that day; the first program was the film My Mom's New Boyfriend.[2]

Katz announced that television stations owned by ABC Owned Television Stations and 13 E. W. Scripps Company would serve as the network's charter affiliates; the former serving as a replacement for the standard definition feed of the Live Well Network, which with Laff's announcement also began to roll-back to only being carried by ABCOTS stations.[3][4] On March 13, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced an affiliation deal with the Cox Media Group to carry Laff on the subchannels of seven of its stations expanding its initial reach to 47% of the country.[5] The following week on March 20, as part of a multi-network affiliation agreement with Katz, the Meredith Corporation announced that it would carry the network on two of its stations.[6][7]

On February 13, 2015, Laff acquired the syndication rights to five sitcoms.[8] Laff followed that deal for film licensing with Disney–ABC Domestic Television, Miramax, and Sony Pictures Television by March 17.[9] Laff made a multi-year deal for five sitcoms with Carsey-Werner Productions in April 2016.[10] Roseanne reruns were removed on May 29, 2018, after Roseanne Barr was fired from the show by ABC (which then continued on as The Conners); both decisions were based on a Roseanne Barr tweet considered racist.[11]

A list of 2019 Nielsen ratings published by Variety indicated that Laff averaged 223,000 viewers in prime time, down 5% from the 2018 average.[12]

The network moved off ABC Owned Television Stations at the beginning of 2021, in favor of new carriage on Scripps's recently acquired Ion Media stations in place of the now-defunct Qubo, Ion Plus and Ion Shop networks.[13]

In July 2023, the managing company of Laff announced an over-the-top streaming channel counterpart of Laff, called Laff More.[14]

Programming

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Laff provides comedy programming to owned-and-operated and affiliated stations every day from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with paid programming filling the remaining vacated hours. Laff's schedule mainly consists of 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s off-network sitcoms.[1][3] On September 1, 2021, Nexstar launched a direct competitor to Laff, Rewind TV, and the latter network replaced Laff on Nexstar stations (or will in the upcoming months if not immediately possible due to contractual obligations).

Movies

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Laff carries three to four comedic films throughout its weekend schedule. Laff also carries one movie throughout during early Monday through Friday Mornings.

Current programming

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Former programming

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Affiliates

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As of 20 July 2022, Laff has 425 current or pending affiliation agreements with television stations in 48 states, plus the District of Columbia, covering 91.3% of the United States.[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b Channick, Robert (January 19, 2015). "Laff comedy network to launch on WLS-Ch.7 digital subchannel". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Lafayette, Jon (January 18, 2015). "Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (January 18, 2015). "ABC Sticks with Live Well Digital Channel, Adds Comedy Net". Variety. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  4. ^ Pergament, Alan (January 20, 2015). "Ch.7 to add comedy network called LAFF in mid-April on sub-channel". Talkin' TV. Buffalo News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  5. ^ Lafayette, Jon (March 13, 2015). "Cox Gets Joke And Gives Viewers LAFF". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  6. ^ "Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets". TVNewsCheck. March 20, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Jon Lafayette (March 20, 2015). "Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  8. ^ "LAFF Comedy Diginet Lands Five Sitcoms". TVNewsCheck. February 13, 2015. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Jon Lafayette (March 17, 2015). "LAFF Makes Rights Deals to Air 250 Movie Comedies". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c d Lafayette, Jon (April 7, 2016). "LAFF Grabs Top Sitcoms in Carsey-Werner Deal". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Petski, Denise (29 May 2018). "'Roseanne' Dropped From Laff Schedule; "Disgusted" By Barr's Racist Comments". Deadline. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  12. ^ Schneider, Michael (26 Dec 2019). "Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2019's Winners and Losers". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  13. ^ Balderston, Michael (2021-01-14). "Scripps Moving Multicast Networks onto Ion TV Stations". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on Jan 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Lafayette, Jon (2023-07-17). "Scripps Launching Streaming Court TV and Laff Channels". Broadcasting Cable. Next TV. Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  15. ^ Albiniak, Paige (March 1, 2019). "Laff to Launch 'According to Jim' in Access". Broadcasting & Cable. Next TV. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  16. ^ Laff (March 7, 2018). "Laff Lands Home Improvement in Multi-Year Licensing Agreement With The Disney/ABC Television Group, To Debut Hit Comedy This Fall". PR Newswire (Press release). Archived from the original on Nov 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "Stations for Network - Laff". RabbitEars. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
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