JUST FOR LAUGHS

What JUST FOR LAUGHS does

Just For Laughs (JFL), legally operating as Juste Pour Divertir, is a privately held Montreal-based comedy entertainment company that produces the world's largest comedy festival (held annually since 1983) alongside an international network of festivals in Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec City, Sydney, Singapore, Bermuda, Switzerland, and Belgium. The company serves three primary customer segments: live comedy audiences through festival ticketing, comedy industry professionals through its ComedyPRO marketplace and New Faces talent showcase (which has launched careers of Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Colin Jost, and Ali Wong), and broadcasters through content licensing of its owned television properties including the Gags hidden-camera series (broadcast in 100+ countries since 2000) and LOL non-verbal comedy sketches.

The company's business model is diversified across five revenue streams: (1) ticketed live event revenue from festivals across multiple cities including free outdoor shows at Place des Festivals, (2) content distribution and broadcasting licensing to 15+ Canadian and international broadcasters including Netflix, Prime Video, Crave, and CTV Comedy Channel, (3) digital platform monetization through YouTube channels and a new global FAST channel partnership with Stingray, (4) merchandise sales via the JFL BAZAAAR storefront, and (5) industry professional services through the ComedyPRO marketplace and Just For Laughs Agency talent representation subsidiary. The 2026 Montreal festival produced 61 television episodes and the company's digital properties have accumulated over 100 billion views reaching more than 100 million fans annually.

Following bankruptcy proceedings in 2024, the company was acquired by Sylvain Parent-Bédard's Just For Entertainment Group, which also operates a distribution subsidiary (Just For Laughs Distribution) handling global content sales and a talent agency connecting comedians with clients. The technology stack centers on live-event production and traditional media distribution with no AI/ML capabilities currently in evidence, and operates sub-brands including ComedyPRO, New Faces, JFL Originals, Gags, and LOL under the unified Just For Laughs / Juste pour rire / HAHAHA brand identity.

Name

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Legal name

Juste Pour Divertir

Website

https://hahaha.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Just For Laughs produces the world's largest comedy festival (Montreal, since 1983) and operates an international network of comedy festivals, content production (Gags, LOL), talent agency services, and the ComedyPRO industry marketplace, serving live audiences, broadcasters (Netflix, Prime Video, Crave), and comedy professionals globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Comedy Entertainment and Content

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Comedy Festivals (MPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stand-Up Comedy Shows (MPAGACAA), Comedy Club & Showcase Nights (MPAGACAE), Comedy Shows & Spoken-Word Events (THAJAFAC)

Keywords

• Comedy festival
• Live entertainment
• Comedy content production
• Talent agency services
• Television content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Quebec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Festival and Live Event Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales at comedy festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and international locations, including sold-out venues and free outdoor shows at Place des Festivals.
2. Content Distribution and Broadcasting: Distribution and broadcasting of comedic content including films, television series, and comedy specials to international platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, Crave, and CTV Comedy Channel. The 2026 festival produced 61 television episodes distributed by 15 Canadian and international broadcasters.
3. Digital Platforms and Media: Content available through digital platforms and media channels, with over 100 billion cumulative views. Partnership with Stingray to develop free ad-supported streaming TV channels globally.
4. Merchandise: Sale of merchandise through the JFL BAZAAAR store, offering swag and articles inspired by the festival.
5. Industry Marketplace Services: ComedyPRO industry marketplace providing networking, showcases, and deal-making opportunities for comedy industry professionals worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Just For Laughs (JFL) operates the world's largest comedy festival held annually in Montreal since 1983, alongside international festivals in Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec City, Sydney, Bermuda, Singapore, Belgium and Switzerland. The company produces and distributes comedy television and digital content through series such as Gags (hidden-camera format since 2000) and LOL (non-verbal sketches), reaching 100+ countries and over 100 billion cumulative views. It also runs the ComedyPRO industry marketplace, the New Faces talent showcase, and a talent booking agency.

Product overview

Just For Laughs (JFL) is a major Canadian entertainment group that operates primarily as a live comedy festival and content production company. The core offering is the Just For Laughs Montreal Festival—the world's largest comedy festival since 1983—alongside a network of international festivals in Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec City, Singapore, Sydney, and Bermuda. JFL operates the ComedyPRO industry marketplace as part of the Montreal festival, which serves as a hub for comedy industry professionals with talent discovery programs like the New Faces showcase. The company's content portfolio includes Gags (hidden-camera series since 2000, broadcast in 100+ countries), LOL (non-verbal comedy sketches), and JFL Originals (podcast-style comedy albums). Just For Laughs distributes television content through 15+ Canadian and international broadcasters including Netflix and Prime Video, and has a strategic partnership with Stingray for global FAST channel expansion. The company also operates an Agency for talent representation and manages distribution operations globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ComedyPRO: The world's leading comedy industry marketplace held annually as part of the Just For Laughs Montreal Festival, helping launch and propel careers of renowned artists.
• New Faces
• JFL Originals
• Gags
• LOL

Products and services

• Just For Laughs Montreal Festival
• Just For Laughs Toronto Festival
• Just For Laughs Vancouver Festival
• Just For Laughs Quebec City Festival
• ComedyPRO Industry Marketplace
• Gags TV Series
• LOL TV Series
• JFL Originals
• Just For Laughs Agency
• New Faces Showcase Program
• Laugh List
• JFL BAZAAAR Merchandise Store

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 million fans entertained annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StingraycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025Strategic partnership to develop and expand free ad-supported streaming TV channels featuring comedy content globally. The collaboration combines Just for Laughs' comedy library with Stingray's expertise in channel creation and distribution to reach international audiences.
• SMOSHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSMOSH returned as the Creators partner for the New Faces program in 2026, which showcases comedic creators as part of ComedyPRO programming.
• Semi-Formal ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoined as a new partner for the Writers program as part of the New Faces showcase in 2026.
• Electric AvenueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Electric Avenue to showcase select comic shorts and pilots during ComedyPRO programming at the festival.
• More BetterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Faces Writers partnership with More Better for the 2026 ComedyPRO programming.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Comedy Store: Iconic comedy club and venue brand with operations in Los Angeles, London, and other cities. Directly comparable to JFL as a live comedy venue and showcase operator that launches and curates comedy talent through performance programming.
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe: The world's largest arts festival held annually in Edinburgh, including a major comedy programming strand. Directly comparable to JFL Montreal as a globally-recognized comedy festival with talent discovery, industry marketplace activity, and international touring comedians.
• Second City: Premier comedy theatre and training company operating venues, touring shows, and the world-famous improv/sketches brand. Comparable to JFL through live comedy production, talent development, and training programs.
• Laugh Factory: Major comedy club chain with locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Long Beach, and other cities. Comparable to JFL as a live comedy venue operator with a strong comedy brand and touring talent relationships.
• Melbourne International Comedy Festival: One of the world's largest comedy festivals held annually in Melbourne, Australia. Directly comparable to JFL Montreal as a flagship international comedy festival with talent discovery, industry programming, and a global touring circuit.

Emerging players

• Funny or Die: Digital comedy platform producing and distributing short-form comedy content, with a roster of comedians and creator partnerships. Comparable to JFL across content creation and distribution, though focused on digital-native rather than festival-first formats.

Others

• Just For Entertainment Group (Parent): The parent conglomerate of Just For Laughs, founded by Sylvain Parent Bédard in 1997, which acquired the JFL assets in 2024. Listed as a related-party peer given the operational overlap and shared distribution/agency infrastructure.

Regional players

• SF Sketchfest: San Francisco's annual comedy festival featuring sketch comedy, stand-up, and alternative comedy acts. Comparable to JFL as a festival operator with programming across multiple comedy formats, though smaller in scale and primarily US-West-Coast focused.

Broad incumbents

• Live Nation Entertainment: The world's largest live entertainment company promoting concerts, festivals, and ticketed events globally. Comparable to JFL as a promoter and operator of live comedy and entertainment festivals, though with a much broader portfolio spanning music and other genres.
• Netflix Is A Joke: Netflix's comedy festival and content brand, hosting live events and amplifying the platform's original comedy specials. Comparable to JFL as a comedy festival organizer and content distributor, though backed by Netflix's much larger platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@justforlaughs
• Facebookfacebook.com/justforlaughs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JUST FOR LAUGHS