US Cable Upfronts 2012: IFC

US cable network IFC has ordered a raft of new comedy series and has renewed hipster hit Portlandia for a third season as part of its first ever Upfront event.

The network, which is owned by AMC Networks, transisted from a sponsorship model to an ad-supported network with public ratings in 2010.

IFC has ordered four new 10x30mins comedies; Bunk, Comedy Bang Bang, Maron and Out There.

Bunk, which is produced by Avalon Television is a comedy gameshow compete in inane challenges to win surreal prizes; Out There is a small town comedy created by South Park animation director Ryan Quincy; Comedy Bang Bang, produced by Abso Lutely Productions is based on a podcast by Mr Show’s Scott Aukerman and Maron, which is produced by Fox Television Studios and Denis Leary, is a scripted comedy based on the life of WTF podcast host Marc Maron.

Separately, IFC has commissioned a one hour movie of the latest installment of R.Kelly’s Trapped In The Closet, produced by Kelly, and new seasons of Thom Beers-produced Whisker Wars and Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein’s Portlandia, which is produced by Lorne Michael’s Broadway Video.

The network’s inaugral Upfront event was hosted by executive vice president and general manager Jennifer Caserta.