Stand-up comedy is booming as Netflix specials and social media make the art form more accessible than ever. Grosses from stand-up shows have nearly tripled over the last decade, generating more than $900 million US last year according to Pollstar, with Kevin Hart topping that list at $68.3 million between October 2022 and 2023.
In Canada, Live Nation is nearly doubling the number of comedy shows it promotes year-over-year, according to president of music Erik Hoffman, who said he expects that growth to continue. WATCH | Stand-up comics say social media is fuelling popularity boom: Stand-up comics say social media is fuelling popularity boom 1 day ago Duration 2:04 Live stand-up comedy shows are more popular than ever, with ticket revenue nearly tripling over the last ten years, and comics in Canada credit the boom to social media. Comedians and industry experts attribute this largely to the advent of Netflix specials, as well as the growing accessibility of comedy through YouTube and apps like Instagram and TikTok that give comedians a direct way to connect with audiences that aren't at a comedy club.
"I think ultimately [social media] has helped me a lot, because it used to be that a certain person has to be in a certain room for you to get an opportunity," said Rachel Feinstein, who has shows at Toronto's Comedy Bar Danforth this weekend. "You'd have one man ..
. in the back of the room, and then he puts you in the pictures and, you know, may or may not sexually harass you..
