Virtual festival on SiriusXM

The Just For Laughs comedy festival has announced a raft of programming on paid-for US digital radio network SiriusXM in place of its Montreal event.

The annual shindig for the North American comedy industry will move to the autumn, but on the original dates it will be running a virtual on-air event featuring the likes of  Kevin Hart, Howie Mandel, Ronny Chieng, Caroline Rhea, Jim Norton and Alonzo Bodden.

Programmes will include highlights from the festival’s 37-year history, including segments from Andy Kindler’s biting State Of The Industry speeches.

Special coverage includes SiriusXM’s Just For Laughs Canada   airing a 24/7 curated themed series.

Otherwise two one-hour shows    will air each day on SiriusXM’s comedy channels from July 20 25.

The schedule is:

• Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio Channel 96: 2pm & 6pm ET
• Raw Dog Comedy Channel 99: 12pm & 9pm ET
• Laugh USA Channel 98: 1pm & 7pm ET
• Jeff & Larry’s Comedy Roundup Channel 97: 3pm & 8pm ET
• Comedy Greats Channel 94: 4pm & 5pm ET
• Just For Laughs Canada Channel 168: 24 hours a day

Just For Laughs president Bruce Hills said: ‘We were thrilled when SiriusXM approached us with this idea. Now, on what would have been this year’s festival dates, we will carry on the tradition by sharing some of the greatest performances from our 37 years of festivals which includes some amazing homegrown Canadian content.

Jack Vaughn, SiriusXM’s senior vice president of comedy programming, added: ’Just For Laughs is the world’s premiere comedy festival that we look forward to being a part of every year.

‘So while we can’t be in Montreal this summer, going to shows, eating poutine way too late, and dodging giant political street puppets, SiriusXM is thrilled to team up with the festival to create the next best thing.’

Published: 16 Jul 2020