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NBCUniversal International Networks

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NBCUniversal International Networks, formerly NBC Universal Global Networks and Universal Networks International, is a part of NBCUniversal., owned by Comcast.

Overview

When NBC Universal was formed in 2003, it owned many entertainment television channels in Europe and Latin America. These 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 international 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 Diva TV, Movies 24, and KidsCo channels were also available.

On 5 October 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 NBCUniversal and Comcast in 2011, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal:

Channels

Australia and New Zealand

Former:

Europe

United Kingdom and Ireland

Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Switzerland

Former:

France

Italy

Former:

Spain & Portugal

Poland

Former:

Romania

Former:

Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia

Future

Former channels in Europe

Middle East and North Africa

Latin America

Japan

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Former:

South Asia

Former:

Sub-Saharan Africa

United States and Canada

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.

Video on demand

NBCUniversal International introduced Hayu in March 2016 in the United Kingdom. The subscription video on demand service offers reality programs such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Real Housewives.[5]

References

  1. ^ "NBC Universal agrees to buy Sparrowhawk Media". Reuters. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  2. ^ "NBC Universal buys 18 Hallmark channels outside the U.S. - International Herald Tribune". www.iht.com. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  3. ^ "NBC Universal in content and branding push". Broadcast. October 5, 2009.
  4. ^ "Universal Networks to focus on 5 channels". Broadband TV News. October 5, 2009.
  5. ^ Tribbey, Chris (March 28, 2016). "New NBCUniversal On-Demand Service Seeks Niche in U.K.". Broadcasting & Cable: 16–17.


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