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(FROM VARIETY) – HBO is partnering with the comedy video website Funny or Die, which was created by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Chris Henchy of Gary Sanchez Productions. In addition to purchasing a small equity stake in the two-year-old site, HBO also has commissioned 10 half-hours of programming from Funny or Die as part of the deal. The two entities will likely team on various projects in the future, like the live comedy tours that Funny or Die is developing or possibly a Funny or Die-branded programming block on an HBO channel. The pay channel's interest in Funny or Die is estimated to be less than 10 percent of the company, which last year was valued at about $100 million. FunnyorDie.com, which averages about 3.2 million unique visitors per month, is perhaps best known for the short video ''The Landlord,'' which features Ferrell arguing about past-due rent with his landlord, played by McKay's adorably foul-mouthed two-year-old daughter Pearl. That video has been viewed about 55 million times. (Variety)


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Posted Jun 11, 2008 | Order Article Reprints