COMEDY CENTRAL® and the New York Television Festival Partner to Launch the "COMEDY CENTRAL Short Pilot Competition"

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- COMEDY CENTRAL and the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) announced today an innovative program seeking original comedic short pilots and accompanying shooting scripts from independent artists and production companies.  The top submissions will be reviewed by the network and the winning producer will receive a $7,500 development deal with COMEDY CENTRAL.

"While it may seem like a generous gesture of support to an emerging generation of creators, we are really hoping to find something compelling for very cheap," said Kent Alterman, Head of Original Programming and Production, COMEDY CENTRAL.

"The NYTVF is thrilled to partner with COMEDY CENTRAL on this new development initiative and open industry doors for our community of independent artists," said NYTVF founder Terence Gray.  "As television and new media continue to take chances and push the boundaries of comedy, this is an exciting time for great comedic voices to get their shot.  The NYTVF has a solid tradition of finding great talent and we look forward to sharing the best, weirdest, wildest, most hilarious and off-the-wall selections with COMEDY CENTRAL."

The initiative is open to U.S. residents age 18 and over who do not have any contractual commitments preventing them from entering into an exclusive development deal with COMEDY CENTRAL.  Comedic concepts not currently under development at a network, studio or major production company and meeting all other criteria in the Official Rules are eligible for the competition.

Completed entries will include a four (4) – eleven (11) minute first act of an original comedy pilot and the accompanying ten (10) to twenty-five (25) page shooting script of the episode.  Official contest rules and dates can be accessed through the contest Web site located at http://www.nytvf.com/2012_comedycentral.htm.  The NYTVF will be accepting entries from October 2011 through January 2012.

A screening committee of NYTVF officials will narrow the pool of entrants down to 25 finalists which will be presented to COMEDY CENTRAL development executives.  One winner will be selected by COMEDY CENTRAL and he/she will receive a development deal from the network.  Additionally, COMEDY CENTRAL may elect to enter into development agreements with additional finalists and all 25 selected creators will be invited to participate in the 2012 New York Television Festival as Official Artists.

The COMEDY CENTRAL Short Pilot Competition marks the first announced development partnership for the NYTVF's 2012 season.  The 2011 development season, which wraps during this week's New York Television Festival, included the NYTVF's annual independent pilot competition, which offered sponsored development awards from IFC, FX, MTV and Syfy as well as NYTVF Pitch with partners Sundance Channel, MSN and SevenOne International.  Additionally, both FOX and A&E partnered with the NYTVF for individual development initiatives in 2011 – the 4th Annual FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest and the inaugural A&E Unscripted Development Pipeline, respectively.

About the NYTVF:

Established in 2005, the NYTVF is a pioneer of the independent television movement, constructing new and innovative paths of development and talent identification, while simultaneously complementing the traditional television development model.  Its annual New York Television Festival – held each fall in New York City – is recognized as the industry's first independent television festival which provides a platform to elevate the work of artists creating for the small screen.  Through the Festival and other year-round activities, the NYTVF's mission is to connect its community of over 8,500 independent creative artists with leading networks, studios and brands by cultivating relationships that lead to new opportunities.  For more information on the NYTVF, the annual Festival and these competitions, visit www.nytvf.com.

About COMEDY CENTRAL:

Available in 99 million homes nationwide, COMEDY CENTRAL (www.comedycentral.com), the only all-comedy network, is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press web site at www.comedycentral.com/press and follow us on Twitter @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications