NBC Universal Global Networks
Encyclopedia
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. 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:
Altogether, the company broadcast about 70 different channels by 2009.
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:
NBC Universal owned the free-to-air broadcaster Das Vierte until 2008.
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
.
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
Studio Universal
Studio Universal is a specialty television channel focused on films, owned by Universal Networks International. The programming is based on films and related programs with interviews, insights, short films and frequent themed nights or seasons in which are shown a number of films centred around...
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
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
private equity
Private equity
Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
-backed media company managing a collection of digital television
Digital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
channels
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
, and integrated it into NBC Universal Global Networks. 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
Diva TV
Diva TV is a British TV channel owned by NBC Universal, which launched on Sky in the UK and Ireland on channel 269 at midday on the October 1, 2007.The channel airs shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Real Housewives of Orange County....
and Movies 24
Movies 24
Movies 24 is a European satellite and cable television channel owned and operated by NBCUniversal. It was launched on 26 June 2006 and is available in Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom...
.
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:
- Universal Channel
- 13th Street Universal
- Syfy Universal
- Diva Universal
- Studio Universal
Altogether, the company broadcast about 70 different channels by 2009.
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
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
and Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal:
- E! Entertainment Television
- Style NetworkStyle NetworkThe Style Network is an American cable television network based in Los Angeles.Owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of General Electric and Comcast, its sister channels include E! Entertainment Television, USA Network, Syfy, G4, Golf Channel, and Versus, among others.-Network Overview:Style's...
, and - The Golf ChannelThe Golf ChannelGolf Channel, known as The Golf Channel before the July 2008 dropping of The, is an American cable television network with coverage focused on the game of golf. Founded in Birmingham, Alabama, the American headquarters and studio are currently located in Orlando, Florida...
Australia
- E!E!E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
- CNBC AsiaCNBC AsiaCNBC Asia is a business news television channel in Asia. A subsidiary of NBC Universal, it is the Asian service of the Consumer News and Business Channel . Its programmes originate from Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney and has bureaus in Tokyo and Seoul....
- 13th Street Universal13th Street (Australia)13th Street is an Australian television channel specialising in action and suspense programs. The channel is owned by NBC Universal and was launched on November 15, 2009 as part of Foxtel's Next Generation launch....
(+2) - KidsCoKidsCoKidsCo is an international children's entertainment brand founded by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises, American-based producer DIC Entertainment, and European broadcaster Sparrowhawk Media Group in April 2007. By the end of 2007, Sparrowhawk was purchased by media...
- Universal Channel (Australia) (replaced Hallmark Channel)
- Sci Fi Channel (Australia)Sci Fi Channel (Australia)Sci Fi Channel is an Australian subscription channel that airs science fiction, fantasy and related programs. It is available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms. It is currently the only Sci Fi channel worldwide to keep the Saturn logo.-Shows:Sci Fi currently airs...
(+2) (33.33% as part of the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership) - TV1 (Australia)TV1 (Australia)TV1 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms.-History:TV1 launched as part of the original Galaxy lineup. The channel is jointly owned by Sony International Television, Universal Studios and Paramount. The channel shows...
(+2) (33.33% as part of the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership) - Premium Movie Partnership (20%) – joint venture between 20th Century Fox20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
, SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, NBCUniversal, ViacomViacomViacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
and Liberty MediaLiberty MediaLiberty Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate and the control is exercised by company Chairman John C. Malone, who owns a majority of the voting shares....
(all parties have equal holdings)- showtime premiere (which has a HD simulcast and a 2 hour timeshift channel)
- showcaseShowcase (Australian TV channel)Showcase is an Australian premium cable and satellite television channel. It is owned and operated by the Premium Movie Partnership and is a sister network to the Showtime networks. Showcase is managed by Showtime's Chief Executive Officer Peter Rose...
(which has a HD simulcast and a 2 hour timeshift channel) - showtime action (which has a HD simulcast)
- showtime comedy
- showtime drama
Germany
- 13th Street13th Street13th Street Universal is a television channel specialising in action and suspense shows and movies. It is owned by NBCUniversal and was launched in France on November 13, 1997 and in Germany on May 1, 1998...
- History (Germany)History (Germany)History is a German-language television channel dedicated to history owned by The History Channel Germany GmbH & Co. KG, which in turn is a joint-venture between NBC Universal Global Networks Deutschland and AETN International....
- Syfy Universal (Germany)
- The Biography Channel (Germany)
NBC Universal owned the free-to-air broadcaster Das Vierte until 2008.
Italy
- Diva Universal (Italy) (replaced Hallmark Channel (Italy)Hallmark Channel (Italy)Diva Universal is an Italian television channel owned by NBC Universal Global Networks Italia, and broadcast on SKY Italia Channel 128 .Until March 31, 2011 the channel was named Hallmark Channel.....
) - Steel (TV channel)Steel (TV channel)Steel is an Italian entertainment TV channel, owned by NBC Universal and broadcast on Premium Gallery, a Digital terrestrial television service in Italy...
- Studio Universal (Italy)
- KidsCoKidsCoKidsCo is an international children's entertainment brand founded by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises, American-based producer DIC Entertainment, and European broadcaster Sparrowhawk Media Group in April 2007. By the end of 2007, Sparrowhawk was purchased by media...
Mexico, Central & South America
- E!E!E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
- Universal ChannelUniversal ChannelUniversal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, horror, crime and investigation genres, owned by Universal Networks International, a division of NBCUniversal and available on satellite and cable platforms...
- Studio Universal (Latin America)
- Syfy (Latin America)
Poland
- E!E!E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
- Universal ChannelUniversal ChannelUniversal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, horror, crime and investigation genres, owned by Universal Networks International, a division of NBCUniversal and available on satellite and cable platforms...
- Sci Fi Universal
- 13th Street Universal13th Street13th Street Universal is a television channel specialising in action and suspense shows and movies. It is owned by NBCUniversal and was launched in France on November 13, 1997 and in Germany on May 1, 1998...
- Movies 24Movies 24Movies 24 is a European satellite and cable television channel owned and operated by NBCUniversal. It was launched on 26 June 2006 and is available in Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom...
- KidsCoKidsCoKidsCo is an international children's entertainment brand founded by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises, American-based producer DIC Entertainment, and European broadcaster Sparrowhawk Media Group in April 2007. By the end of 2007, Sparrowhawk was purchased by media...
South East Asia
- CNBC AsiaCNBC AsiaCNBC Asia is a business news television channel in Asia. A subsidiary of NBC Universal, it is the Asian service of the Consumer News and Business Channel . Its programmes originate from Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney and has bureaus in Tokyo and Seoul....
- Diva Universal (Asia) (replaced Hallmark Channel (Asia)Hallmark Channel (Asia)Diva Universal is an Asian cable and satellite television channel owned and operated by Universal Networks International. It has been available on most subscription television cable and Satellite platforms in Asia since 1 January 2008.-Operating Channels:...
) - Diva Universal (Philippines)Diva Universal (Philippines)Diva Universal Philippines is a Philippine television channel owned by NBC Universal Global Networks, in partnership with Solar Entertainment Corporation.-Rebranded as Diva Universal:...
(replaced Hallmark Channel (Philippines)) - KidsCoKidsCoKidsCo is an international children's entertainment brand founded by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises, American-based producer DIC Entertainment, and European broadcaster Sparrowhawk Media Group in April 2007. By the end of 2007, Sparrowhawk was purchased by media...
- Syfy Universal (Asia)Syfy Universal (Asia)Syfy Universal is an Asian cable television channel, launched on July 1, 2008, exclusive programs in science fiction, fantasy and horror and movies. It is owned by NBC Universal Asia Networks...
- Universal Channel (Asia)Universal Channel (Asia)Universal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, crime and investigation genres. It is owned by NBC Universal Global Networks...
- Universal Channel (Philippines)Universal Channel (Philippines)Universal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, Comedy, crime and investigation genres...
Pakistan
- CNBC PakistanCNBC PakistanCNBC Pakistan is Pakistan's 24-hour bilingual Urdu and English language business and news channel which reports financial and business information, presenting in-depth and up-to-the-minute coverage of regional and international affairs from a Pakistani economic perspective...
- Diva Universal Pakistan (replaced Hallmark Channel Pakistan)
- KidsCoKidsCoKidsCo is an international children's entertainment brand founded by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises, American-based producer DIC Entertainment, and European broadcaster Sparrowhawk Media Group in April 2007. By the end of 2007, Sparrowhawk was purchased by media...
United Kingdom & Ireland
- CNBC EuropeCNBC EuropeCNBC Europe is a business and financial news television channel, the pan-European sister station of CNBC. The network is owned and operated by NBC Universal and headquartered in London, where it shares the Adrian Smith-designed 10 Fleet Place building with Dow Jones...
- Universal Channel (+1, HD)
- Syfy (+1, HD)
- Movies 24Movies 24Movies 24 is a European satellite and cable television channel owned and operated by NBCUniversal. It was launched on 26 June 2006 and is available in Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom...
- Movies 24 +Movies 24Movies 24 is a European satellite and cable television channel owned and operated by NBCUniversal. It was launched on 26 June 2006 and is available in Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom...
- Diva TVDiva TVDiva TV is a British TV channel owned by NBC Universal, which launched on Sky in the UK and Ireland on channel 269 at midday on the October 1, 2007.The channel airs shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Real Housewives of Orange County....