For the uninitiated, Pandora takes a different approach to streaming radio than most of its competitors. It classifies songs and clips based on specific qualities, which it refers to as the Music Genome Project. It uses these classifications to determine what song or clip to play next, picking one that's similar to others you have enjoyed.
Playing comedy clips will function in much the same way as music does on Pandora, though in its own section — no comedy clips are going to find their way into your music stations.
One of the drawbacks to Pandora is the inability to pick a specific song or clip to play. You can create a personalized station based on a song, clip, or artist, but Pandora decides the next item to play using its classification system. While you can always skip to the next selection, this randomness isn't always a bad thing. It's a great way to discover new artists that are similar to ones you already know and love, which is something budding musicians and comedians are counting on.
Pandora has had a series of financial ups and downs over the years, fighting huge losses, and struggling to find new ways to make money while offering a high-quality service. It is hoping that the addition of comedy stations to its lineup will attract new customers, and put the company back into the black.