TellyCast Digital Video Awards 2026 has named A Comedy Thing, entered by Channel 4 and Strong Watch Studios, as winner of the NEW CHANNEL category.
The award recognises excellence in launching new digital-first channels, with judges rewarding strong early momentum, clear creative identity and rapid audience growth.
Launched in July 2025, A Comedy Thing was built from a simple idea: “You need to be doing A Comedy Thing on YouTube.” The name stuck, becoming a broader brand designed to showcase UK comedy talent through ensemble-led, game-based formats built around chemistry, improvisation and crowd work.
Positioned as more than a single show, the channel aims to function as a comedy ecosystem across platforms, spanning YouTube, Instagram, podcasting and live performance. The strategy brings together a rotating group of comedians, designed to mirror creator-led ensembles while spotlighting stand-up talent.
Since launch, the channel has delivered strong early traction, including 6.4m YouTube views, 5.4m Instagram views and 613K TikTok views, alongside strong engagement metrics such as average watch times exceeding 10 minutes per video, with standout formats peaking at over 22 minutes average watch duration.
Judges commended “great talent and a well thought out strategy to fill a perceived gap. Impressively thought out and executed with a real sense of mission.”
