Fox Funny
| Company type | Pay television channel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Predecessor | 111 Hits |
| Founded | October 24, 2008 |
| Defunct | March 1, 2023 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; programming moved to Fox Comedy and Fox8 |
Area served | Australia |
| Owner | Foxtel |
| Website | www |
Fox Funny—previously known as 111 funny—was an Australian pay television channel that primarily featured popular American sitcoms from the mid-2000s onward. This offering complemented the 1980s to 2005 sitcom catalog available on its sister network, Fox Comedy. The channel discontinued broadcasting on 1 March 2023.
History
The channel began operations on 24 October 2008 under the name 111 Hits on Foxtel, delivering content in 16:9 widescreen format ahead of its official launch on 1 November, which coincided with the debut of The Comedy Channel. Its inaugural broadcast was a special episode of Countdown featuring guests Jenna Elfman and Jermaine Jackson. On 1 March 2009, availability expanded to include Austar subscribers. Subsequently, a two-hour timeshift service called 111+2 was introduced on 15 November 2009.
In late 2013, the channel underwent a rebranding initiative that led to shortening its name to 111 effective 1 January 2014, coinciding with the launch of TV Hits. On 20 April 2014, the channel adopted the name 111 Greats, before reverting back to 111 on 1 August 2015. In February 2017, it also became accessible via Fetch TV.
As part of Foxtel’s network restructuring on 7 November 2019, 111 funny was rebranded as Fox Funny, accompanied by the rollout of a high-definition broadcast option.
Foxtel announced on 26 January 2023 that Fox Funny would cease operations on 1 March. Following this closure, its programming was redistributed to sister channels Fox Comedy and Fox8. Additionally, Fox Comedy transitioned from channel 119 to occupy Fox Funny’s former position at channel 114.
Programming
The channel’s content centered predominantly on American sitcoms sourced from Warner Bros., 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Television, and CBS Studios International.
At its inception, many programs were transferred from other Foxtel channels such as Arena, FOX8, The Comedy Channel, TV1, and Fox Classics. The programming lineup was progressively unveiled through promotional segments featuring presenters across these networks.
With the introduction of TV Hits on 1 January 2014 following TV1’s closure, newer sitcoms and drama series migrated from 111 Hits to TV Hits. Consequently, 111 Hits was rebranded as 111, focusing on classic series like Cheers, Frasier, and Get Smart, alongside more recent titles including Rules of Engagement.
By November 2015, the channel refined its focus exclusively to sitcoms by reinstating numerous shows previously shifted to TV Hits and removing dramas, which were relocated to other Foxtel services.
Upon rebranding as Fox Funny, the programming strategy shifted away from sitcoms of the 1980s and 1990s—transferred to sister channel Fox Comedy—towards contemporary sitcoms from the 2000s and 2010s.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2008 establishments in Australia
- 2023 disestablishments in Australia
- Defunct television channels in Australia
- English-language television stations in Australia
- Foxtel
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2023
- Television channels and stations established in 2008