ALI SIDDIQ NAMED GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF COMEDY CENTRAL'S "UP NEXT" CC: CERTIFIED TALENT SEARCH

Siddiq Receives a Performance Slot on a Comedy Central Stand-up Series and Comedy Central Live Tour, a Comedy Central Records Release, a Guest DJ Stint on Comedy Central Radio on SiriusXM, and more

Siddiq was Selected as the Grand Prize Winner by Fans via Online Voting

More Info About "Up Next" A CC: Certified Talent Search Available at cc.com/upnext

NEW YORK, November 18, 2013 - They watched, they streamed, they listened and they voted. Comedy fans from across the country have selected rising star Ali Siddiq as the Grand Prize winner of Comedy Central's "Up Next" A CC: Certified Talent Search. Siddiq won the "Up Next Fan's Pick" from among a group of nine finalists who performed at the 4th annual "Comics to Watch" showcase during the 2013 New York Comedy Festival. The prize package includes an appearance on a future Comedy Central stand-up series, a performance slot in an upcoming Comedy Central Live college tour, a Comedy Central Records digital release, placement on the CC:Stand-Up site and CC: Stand-Up App, a stint as a guest DJ on Comedy Central Radio (SiriusXM channel 95), and $2500 cash.

Ali Siddiq's journey through the "Up Next" talent search began with a performance in a preliminary local showcase at the Houston Improv in September after which he was selected to move on to perform at a semi-final showcase at the Chicago Improv in October. From there, Siddiq (Twitter: @Ali_Speaks) performed at the "Comics to Watch" showcase during the 2013 NYCF in November at the legendary Carolines on Broadway.

Siddiq is a Houston native and has appeared on the season finale of HBO's "Def Comedy Jam," BET's "One Mic Stand" and Bill Bellamy's "Who's Got Jokes" on TV One. Adding to the stand-up performances, Siddiq has also lent his voice and perspective on TV One's "Washington Watch" with host Roland Martin.

Comedy Central's "Up Next" A CC: Certified Talent Search scours the country seeking out the best and brightest up and coming stand-ups with aspiring comedians performing at participating Comedy Central Certified Clubs. Over 300 stand-ups began the competition performing in preliminary local showcases at 27 CC: Certified Clubs in September. Then 40 of the most-promising new comedians in America moved on to semi-final showcases in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Ft. Lauderdale in October with nine finalists being chosen including Siddiq, along with Tone Bell, Chris Cubas, Randy Liedtke, Nimesh Patel, Joe Pera, Dave Thomason, Aaron Weaver and Jenny Zigrino who were then flown to New York to perform at the 4th annual "Comics to Watch," hosted by Jonah Ray, in November.

Comedy fans nationwide were able to watch the "Comics to Watch" performances on cc.com/upnext and listen to them on Comedy Central Radio on SiriusXM and vote online for their favorite and Grand Prize Winner of the "Up Next Fan's Pick."

"Comics to Watch" is a show held annually by Comedy Central and The New York Comedy Festival at Caroline's on Broadway which features a wide range of diversely talented young comedians. It was created to launch the careers of the next generation of comedians by putting them in front of industry executives and comedy fans. Comedians from past "Comics to Watch" shows such as Brooks Wheelan, Michael Che, Chris Distefano, Emily Heller, Ben Kronberg, Kurt Braunohler, and Sara Schaefer have gone on to making stand-up appearances on Comedy Central shows including "The Half Hour," "Adam Devine's House Party" and more.

In 2013, Comedy Central launched the "Comedy Central Certified Club" program which provides participating comedy clubs with the #1 brand in comedy's certification and seal of approval, as well as many additional promotional initiatives. Through the exclusive initiative, the venues receive valuable, national promotion via Comedy Central's linear and digital platforms, including the ability to offer "certified" live, stand-up shows and other Comedy Central-branded opportunities. Among the benefits, each participating club is promoted by Comedy Central via an ongoing series of programming stunts, commercials, national sweepstakes and included on comedycentral.com's dedicated "Live Touring" section, which incorporates show listings with direct ticket-purchase links for the venues.