Portfolio

Client Introduction

Australia's only 24 hour a day comedy channel has changed the face of Australian comedy with dynamic, controversial and award winning comedy programming. After only six years on air, The Comedy Channel is already infamous for its sometimes irreverent, uncensored, fresh and feisty programming and personality. With 35 local productions under their belt plus more in the pipeline, it's easy to see why they are the leaders of Australian comedy.

Project Overview

In close collaboration with The Comedy Channel, Switch I.T. identified the types of value-added services that would appeal to customers within its target market. This led to the development of the followings services:

• Australia's largest and most up-to-date comedy gig guide allowing users to search by state, comedian and venue. The area contains detailed show information, and features a full biography and picture of hundreds of comedians from around the world, as well as detailed venue information.
• An ever-expanding jokes database, completely maintained by the channel's own customers. All jokes must be approved by a staff member through the Content Management System before they appear on the site.
• A comedy related games area featuring online shockwave games and downloadable executable games.
• Monthly competitions where comedy related prizes are given away to customers.
• A Productions database detailing all of the local productions The Comedy Channel has been involved in.
• A sophisticated e-commerce and inventory management system whereby The Comedy Channel sells its popular channel merchandise.
• An announcement-publishing engine where staff can keep viewers informed about the days programming highlights and any other comedy related information.
• The development and distribution of a personalised monthly newsletter to all subscribers promoting the upcoming month's highlights, events, etc.

A fully customised Content Management System was also developed to enable staff to maintain all areas of the web site in-house. The simple, intuitive interface meant no staff training was required.

In order to display programming information, a script was developed to import the entire TV Guide feed from Foxtel's Columbine Server into The Comedy Channel's own database. Customers are now able to search the TV Guide by date, time and program title.

Switch I.T.'s creative solutions resulted in a site that is easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and further strengthens the relationship between The Comedy Channel and its viewers. The Comedy Channel has successfully leveraged its position as the leader of the comedy industry in Australia and is continuing to reap the benefits of a well-planned and executed web site.

With more value-added services in the development pipeline, and the number of unique visitors, joke submissions and competition entries consistently growing each month, the site should maintain its mantle as the country's leading comedy-related online service. (Source: Top 100)