- Universal Networks International
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Universal Networks International, formerly NBC Universal Global Networks, is a part of NBC Universal.
When NBC Universal was formed, it owned entertainment television channels in Europe and Latin America. They were mostly a few international versions of the Sci Fi Channel, three action and suspense series channels in Europe, the Italian Studio Universal channel and the Latin American version of the USA Network.
In 2007 NBC Universal acquired Sparrowhawk Media Group, which at the time was a British private equity-backed media company managing a collection of digital television channels, and integrated it into NBC Universal Global Networks.[1][2] The purchase more than doubled the number of internaional channels in NBC Universal's portfolio. Sparrowhawk's crown jewel was an international network of drama channels available on most continents under the Hallmark Channel brand, but also a few new channels such as Diva TV and Movies 24.
On October 5, 2009, it was announced that the venture would be renamed Universal Networks International and focus its attention on five channel brands, all with "Universal" in their name:[3]
- Universal Channel
- 13th Street Universal
- Syfy Universal
- Diva Universal
- Studio Universal
Altogether, the company broadcast about 70 different channels by 2009.[4]
The overhaul started in late 2009 and progressed during 2010. Most of the international Sci Fi channels were rebranded as Syfy Universal. The Hallmark Channel brand was also phased out in most markets during 2010. Typically, it was replaced by the Universal Channel brand in markets where that brand wasn't available before. In many markets where Universal Channel was already present, Hallmark Channel was replaced by either Studio Universal, Diva Universal or 13th Street Universal.
Following the merger of NBC Universal and Comcast, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal:
- E! Entertainment Television
- Style Network, and
- The Golf Channel
Contents
Channels
This is an incomplete list of channels broadcast by NBC Universal Global Networks.
Australia
- CNBC Asia
- 13th Street Universal (+2)
- KidsCo
- Universal Channel (Australia) (replaced Hallmark Channel)[5]
- Sci Fi Channel (Australia) (+2) (33.33% as part of the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership)
- TV1 (Australia) (+2) (33.33% as part of the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership)
Benelux
- 13th Street
- Syfy Universal
- Hallmark Channel
Germany
- 13th Street
- History (Germany)
- Syfy Universal (Germany)
- The Biography Channel (Germany)
NBC Universal owned the free-to-air broadcaster Das Vierte until 2008.
France
- 13eme Rue
- Syfy Universal (France)
Hungary
- Hallmark Channel Hungary
- KidsCo
- Movies 24 Eastern Europe
Italy
- Diva Universal (Italy) (replaced Hallmark Channel (Italy))
- Steel (TV channel)
- Studio Universal (Italy)
- KidsCo
Japan
- Universal Channel (Japan) (replaced Sci Fi Channel)
- Universal Channel HD
Mexico, Central & South America
- Universal Channel
- Studio Universal (Latin America)
- Syfy (Latin America)
Poland
- Universal Channel
- Sci Fi Universal
- 13th Street Universal
- Movies 24
- KidsCo
Romania
- Sci Fi Universal
- Diva Universal
- Movies 24
Russia
- Syfy Universal
- Diva Universal
- Universal Channel
South East Asia
- CNBC Asia
- Diva Universal (Asia) (replaced Hallmark Channel (Asia))
- Diva Universal (Philippines) (replaced Hallmark Channel (Philippines))
- KidsCo
- Syfy Universal (Asia)
- Universal Channel (Asia)
- Universal Channel (Philippines)
Pakistan
- CNBC Pakistan
- Diva Universal Pakistan (replaced Hallmark Channel Pakistan)
- KidsCo
Spain
- Calle 13 (TV channel)
- Syfy Universal (Spain)
- KidsCo
United Kingdom & Ireland
- CNBC Europe
- Universal Channel (+1, HD)
- Syfy (+1, HD)
- Movies 24
- Movies 24+
- Diva TV (+1)
- KidsCo
Turkey
- Universal Channel
- KidsCo
- Universal Channel HD
High Definition
On the January 26, 2009, Sci Fi became the first of the NBC Universal Global Network channels to begin broadcasting in High Definition within the UK. It will provide a simulcast of the Sci Fi Channel exclusively on Sky+HD channel 214, and will air UK HD premieres such as Eli Stone and Flash Gordon.
References
- ^ "NBC Universal agrees to buy Sparrowhawk Media". reuters.com. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL2834678120070828. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "NBC Universal buys 18 Hallmark channels outside the U.S. - International Herald Tribune". www.iht.com. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/28/business/nbc.php. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "NBC Universal in content and branding push". Broadcast. October 5, 2009. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/international/nbc-universal-in-content-and-branding-push/5006409.article.
- ^ "Universal Networks to focus on 5 channels". Broadband TV News. October 5, 2009. http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/10/05/universal-networks-to-focus-on-5-channels/.
- ^ "Hallmark switch to Universal Channel". tvtonight.com.au. http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/05/hallmark-switch-to-universal-channel.html. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
External links
Categories:- Media company stubs
- NBC Universal Global Networks
- NBC Universal
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