One stand-up special a week from Liverpool comedy club

Liverpool's Hot Water Comedy Club has launched an online subscription channel offering hour-long stand-up specials

The venue has built a strong online presence by filming the comedians who appear there, with 200,000 likes for the Facebook page the carries the videos, plus 50,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Fans will pay £2.29 a month, with a new special promised every week, distributed via its Facebook page.

The first, Freddy Quinne’s Quite The Catch, will be released tomorrow, followed by Hiya Mate! from the club’s regular compere, Paul Smith, next week.

In a video to launch Hot Water Originals, Smith said: ‘They are going to film loads of specials at the club - all exclusive content - and they are going to put it out one a week and you are the only people who are going to be able to watch that. Which is a bargain for about £2 a month, I think.

‘You’ll get all my stuff, you get people like  Adam Rowe, Troy Hawke, Freddy Quinne, Bethany Black - loads of boss comedians. I think you’ll really enjoy yourself.’

The new channel will be a rival for NextUp, which is £4.99 a month, with day passes available for £6.99.

However, the more established service has built up a substantial back catalogue since its launch in 2016. NextUp, which also adds one special a week, currently has 123 shows available including offerings from Bill Hicks. Ed Byrne, Tommy Tiernan, Mark Steel and Sean Hughes.

The comedians featured on Hot Water Originals will receive a 50 per cent profit share from the venture.

Published: 9 Jun 2019