Universal Content Productions

Last updated
Universal Content Productions LLC
FormerlyUniversal Cable Productions LLC (2008–2019)
Company type Division
Industry Television production
Television syndication
Predecessor USA Cable Entertainment
Founded1 June 2008;16 years ago (2008-06-01)
Headquarters,
United States
Key people
Jennifer Gwartz (EVP) [1]
Products
  • TV series
  • Podcasts
Parent Universal Studio Group
Website nbcuni.com/ucp

Universal Content Productions LLC (UCP) [2] is an American television production company operating within the Universal Studio Group division of NBCUniversal, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast. [3]

Contents

History

Universal Cable Productions

In July 2008, Universal Cable Productions was split off from Universal Media Studios (UMS) and placed into NBC Universal's NBCU Cable Entertainment division. Originally, UCP was set up to produce shows for USA Network, Syfy, and other cable channels, and was a successor-in-interest to Universal's former cable production division USA Cable Entertainment, which was obtained via Vivendi Universal's aacquisition of USA Networks' entertainment assets in 2001 and folded into NBC Universal Television Studio in 2004 when NBC merged with Vivendi Universal to form NBC Universal. [3] Cable-produced shows by Universal Media Studios, including shows that were previously produced under the USA Cable Entertainment name, were produced under Universal Cable Productions.

Since then, UCP has moved to producing shows for any network or channel, broadcast or cable. Its NBCU Broadcasting counterpart, Universal Television, has also moved to be a full-service TV studio. [4]

Universal Content Productions

In early 2019, Universal Cable Productions changed its name to Universal Content Productions to reflect the move to streaming, with production of The Umbrella Academy for Netflix and Peacock. [5] In October 2019, Universal Content Productions, along with Universal Television, was transferred from NBCUniversal Broadcast, Cable, Sports and News to NBCUniversal Content Studios. [6]

UCP announced in November 2019 the 2020 launch of their podcast channel UCP Audio. The studio will produce both scripted and unscripted content with the first scripted podcast from Esmail Corp. [7] It was announced that Dawn Olmstead would leave in order to join Anonymous Content. [8] In February 2021, UCP started an Asian incubator program, with Soo Hugh being one of the first overall deals. [9] In May 2021, Jennifer Gwartz joined the company after she left 20th Television. [10] In 2021, Elliot Page has signed a deal with the studio. [11]

Shows produced

TitleOriginal runNetworkNotes
Law & Order: Criminal Intent 2001–2011 NBC/USA Network co-production with Wolf Films
UCP co-produced the series from 2008 to 2011 when it moved to NBC's sister channel USA
Monk 2002–2009USA Networkco-production with Mandeville Films and Touchstone Television
UCP only co-produced the final two seasons.
Battlestar Galactica 2004–2009 Syfy continued from Universal Television
co-production with David Eick Productions, R&D TV and Sky UK
UCP only co-produced the final season
Revival of the 1978–1979 series of the same name by Glen A. Larson.
Psych 2006–2014USA Networkco-production with Pacific Mountain Productions and Tagline Television. UCP only co-produced seasons 3–8.
Eureka 2006–2012Syfycontinued from Universal Television
UCP only handled the final three seasons.
In Plain Sight 2008–2012USA Networkco-production with Pirates' Cove Entertainment (seasons 1–2), Tiny Clambake Productions (season 2), McNamara Paper Products (season 3) and Frontier Pictures (seasons 4–5)
UCP handled the rest of the series with Universal Media Studios handling the first few episodes.
The Starter Wife 2008co-production with Haypop Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment and McGibbon-Parriott Productions
Royal Pains 2009–2016co-production with 34 Films, Prospect Park and Open 4 Business Productions
Warehouse 13 2009–2014Syfy
Caprica 2010
Covert Affairs 2010–2014USA Networkco-production with Corman & Ord and Hypnotic Films & Television
Being Human 2011–2014Syfyco-production.with Muse Entertainment Enterprises
UCP replaced Zodiak Media as the co-production company for the International release of the show's fourth season.
Fairly Legal 2011–2012USA Networkco-production with Steve Stark Productions, Garfield St. Productions, and Ocko & Company
Suits 2011–2019co-production with Untitled Korsh Company and Hypnotic Films & Television
Necessary Roughness 2011–2013co-production with Still Married Productions and Sony Pictures Television
Alphas 2011–2012Syfyco-production with BermanBraun
Against the Wall 2011 Lifetime co-production with Paid My Dues Productions and Open 4 Business Productions
I Just Want My Pants Back 2011–2012 MTV co-production with Hypnotic
Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome 2012 Machinima.com
Defiance 2013–2015Syfyco-production with Five & Dime Productions
Playing House 2014–2017USA Networkco-production with A24, Parham St. Clair Productions and Open 4 Business Productions
Satisfaction 2014–2015co-production with Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment, Rhythm Arts Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television
Dominion 2014–2015Syfyco-production with FanFare Productions, Film Afrika, Bold Films, and Sony Pictures Television
Based on the 2010 film Legion by Screen Gems
Ascension 2014co-production with Sea to Sky Entertainment, Levens, Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate Television
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce 2014–2018 Bravo co-production with Tiny Pyro Productions
12 Monkeys 2015–2018Syfyco-production with Division Street and Atlas Entertainment
Based on the 1995 film of the same name by Universal Pictures
Dig 2015USA Networkco-production with Tailwind Productions, G. Raff Productions, The Jackal Group and Keshet International
The Royals 2015–2018 E! co-production with Mastermind Laboratories, Varsity Pictures and Lionsgate Television
Killjoys 2015–2019Syfyco-production with Mendacity Pictures, Bell Media and Temple Street Productions
UCP only handles the International release of the series.
Mr. Robot USA Networkco-production with Anonymous Content and Esmail Corp
Difficult People 2015–2017 Hulu co-production with Paper Kite Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment and Jax Media
Childhood's End 2015Syfyco-production with Michael De Luca Productions, Monastic Productions and Weed Road Pictures
The Magicians 2015–2020co-production with McNamara Moving Company, Man Sewing Dinosaur and Groundswell Productions
Colony 2016–2018USA Networkco-production with Carlton Cuse Productions, (season 1) Cuse Productions (season 2), Genre Arts (season 3) and Legendary Television
Hunters 2016Syfyco-production with Gangtackle Entertainment and Valhalla Entertainment
Queen of the South 2016–2021USA Networkco-production with Frequency Films, Friendly Films, Skeeter Rosenbaum Productions, Touchstone Television (seasons 1–4) and 20th Television (season 5)
HarmonQuest 2016–2019 Seeso/VRV co-production with Harmonious Claptrap and Starburns Industries
Falling Water 2016–2018USA Networkco-production with Gangtackle Productions and Valhalla Entertainment
Aftermath 2016Syfyco-production with Bell Media and Halfire Entertainment
Channel Zero 2016–2018co-production with Eat The Cat and UTMK Limited
Eyewitness 2016USA Networkco-production with Adi TV Studios
Shooter 2016–2018co-production with Leverage Entertainment, Closest to the Hole Productions and Paramount Television
Based on the 2007 film of the same name by Paramount Pictures
Incorporated 2016–2017Syfyco-production with Pearl Street Films, Algorithm Entertainment and CBS Television Studios
Imposters 2017–2018Bravoco-production with Villa Walk Productions and Riverrun Films
The Arrangement E!co-production with Sneaky Pictures, Inc., All3Media America and Main Event Media
Blood Drive 2017Syfyco-production with Strong & Dobbs
The Sinner 2017–2021USA Networkco-production with Iron Ocean
Damnation 2017–2018co-production with No Possum Productions, Entertainment 360, Turnpike and Netflix
Happy! 2017–2019Syfyco-production with Original Film, Littleton Road and Hypernormal (season 2)
Netflix distributed the series in other countries
Unsolved 2018USA Networkco-production with HemingwayTaylor
Impulse 2018–2019 YouTube Premium co-production with Hypnotic
The Purge [12] USA Networkco-production with Blumhouse Television, Platinum Dunes, [13] Man in a Tree Productions and Racket Squad Productions (season 1)
Based on the 2013 film of the same name and its sequels by Universal Pictures
Dirty John 2018–2020Bravo/USA Networkco-production with Atlas Entertainment, Los Angeles Times Studios and Nutmegger
Homecoming Amazon Prime Video co-production with Amazon Studios, Anonymous Content, Esmail Corp, Gimlet Media, Red Om Films and We Here At
Deadly Class 2019Syfyco-production with Gozie AGBO, Chipmunk Hill, Getaway Entertainment, Giant Generator, 2 Miles Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television
The Act [14] Hulu [15] co-production with Eat the Cat and Writ Large
The Umbrella Academy [16] 2019–2024 Netflix co-production with Dark Horse Entertainment, Borderline Entertainment (seasons 1–2) and Irish Cowboy (seasons 3–4)
Pearson 2019USA Networkco-production with Untitled Korsh Company, Hypnotic Films & Television and Major Migraine, Inc.
Treadstone 2019–2020co-production with Captivate Entertainment, Tailwind Productions and Imperative Entertainment
Dare Me co-production with Megan Abbott, Drowning Girl Productions, Fair Harbour Productions and Film 44
Briarpatch 2020co-production with Anonymous Content, Voodoo Ltd., Esmail Corp and Paramount Television Studios
The At Home Variety Show Featuring Seth MacFarlane Peacock co-production with Jax Media and Fuzzy Door Productions
Brave New World co-production with Amblin Television and David Wiener
A Wilderness of Error FX co-production with Truth Media, Rachael Horovitz Prods., Blumhouse Television and FXP
Resident Alien 2021–presentSyfy/USA Networkco-production with Jocko Productions, Amblin Television and Dark Horse Entertainment
Punky Brewster 2021Peacockco-production with Armogida Brothers Productions, Main Event Media and Universal Television
Remake of the 1984–88 series of the same name by NBC Productions
Dr. Death co-production with Littleton Road Productions, Escape Artists and Wondery
Dr Death: The Undoctored Storyco-production with Wondery and Peacock Media Productions
One of Us Is Lying 2021–2022co-production with 5MM
Chucky 2021–presentSyfy
USA Network
co-production with Pheidippides, David Kirschner Productions and Eat The Cat
Based on the 1988 film Child's Play by United Artists, as well as its sequels by Universal Pictures and Rogue Pictures
Joe vs. Carole 2022Peacockco-production with Matchbox Pictures and Wondery
The Girl from Plainville Huluco-production with Happy Friday Productions, Lewellen Pictures, Echo Lake Entertainment and Littleton Road Productions
Gaslit Starz co-production with Esmail Corp., Anonymous Content, Red Om Films, and Slate
Candy [17] Hulu [18] co-production with Eat The Cat, Iron Ocean, Boss Clown Productions and 20th Television
Angelyne Peacockco-production with Esmail Corp, Compostition 8, The Hollywood Reporter and Anonymous Content
Queer as Folk [19] co-production with Red Production Company, All3Media International, Piece of Work and Furnace Room Films
The Resort 2022–presentco-production with Esmail Corp, Anonymous Content, Quadraturin and All for Ramonez
The End Is Nye [20] [21] [22] co-production with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Fuzzy Door Productions and Beetlecod Productions
Quantum Leap NBCco-production with Universal Television, Dean Georgaris Entertainment 2.0 and Quinn's House
A Friend of the Family [23] 2022Peacockco-production with Eat the Cat
Based on a True Story [24] 2023–presentco-production with Overlook Productions and Aggregate Films
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off [25] 2023Netflixco-production with Marc Platt Productions, Complete Fiction, Faust Av and Science Saru
Ted 2024–presentPeacockco-production with Fuzzy Door Productions and MRC Television
Based on the 2012 film of the same name by Universal Pictures
Apples Never Fall 2024co-production with Matchbox Pictures, Call Me Mel Productions Inc., Universal International Studios and Heyday Television
Teacup [26] co-production with Parkside Baroo, Inc., Atomic Monster and Population
Hysteria! [27] [28] co-production with Good Fear Content, GoldDay, Drive–Thru Productions and Cat Dead, Details Later, Inc.
Cape Fear TBA Apple TV+ upcoming; co-production with Eat the Cat and Amblin Television
Based on the 1991 film of the same name by Universal Pictures [29]
Suits: L.A. NBCupcoming; co-production with Hypnotic Films & Television [30]
All the Colors of the DarkTBAupcoming; co-production with Thousand Voices and Dinner Party Productions
Based on the novel of the same name by Chris Whitaker [31]
The Von Bulow Affair Investigation Discovery upcoming;
Based on the William Wright boom of the same name.
Untitled Casper the Friendly Ghost live-action seriesPeacockupcoming; co-production with DreamWorks Animation Television

Podcasts produced

TitleNetworkOriginal runNotes
The End UpUCP AudioUpcomingnear-future scripted podcast produced by Esmail Corp. [7]
House of Prayerunscripted podcast about an investigation into an alleged cult [7]
Untitled troubled-teen industry podcastunscripted podcast about a lost teen takes a look at the business of therapeutic schools and their links to politicians, Hollywood and a cults [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA Network</span> American pay television channel

USA Network is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It was originally launched in 1977 as Madison Square Garden Sports Network, one of the first national sports cable television channels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NBCUniversal</span> American media and entertainment conglomerate

NBCUniversal Media, LLC is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate that is a subsidiary of Comcast and is headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Television</span> Television production company

Universal Television LLC is an American television production company that is a subsidiary of Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast. It serves as the network television production arm of NBC; a predecessor of the company, NBC Studios, previously assumed such functions, and a substantial portion of the company's shows air on the network.

NBCUniversal Media Group is the television and streaming arm of NBCUniversal, and the direct descendant and successor of the former division NBCUniversal Television Group, which existed from 2004 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympic Channel (American TV channel)</span> American television sports channel

Olympic Channel was an American pay television sports channel owned by the NBC Olympics, a joint venture between NBC Sports and the United States Olympic Committee. It was dedicated to Olympic sports, and was a franchise of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Olympic Channel operation.

NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, formerly known as NBCUniversal Television Distribution, Universal Domestic Television, Studios USA Television Distribution and MCA TV is the television syndication division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, in the United States. Its predecessors include NBC Enterprises, Universal Television Distribution, Multimedia Entertainment, PolyGram Television, and Sky Vision. At some point in its history, it was also known as "NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution" and "NBC Universal Television and New Media Distribution.” This unit is possibly the parent for the similarly named "NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution" unit.

Jeff Wachtel is a television producer and executive. He has been President of USA Network, Universal Content Productions and, most recently, NBCUniversal International Studios. He launched Future Shack Entertainment, a television production company, in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Esmail</span> Egyptian-American screenwriter, director, and producer

Sam Esmail is an American film and television producer, director, and screenwriter who runs the production company Esmail Corp. He is best known as the creator, writer, and director of the award-winning USA Network television series Mr. Robot (2015–2019), starring Rami Malek. He wrote and directed the feature films Comet (2014) and Leave the World Behind (2023). He produced and directed the first season of the acclaimed Amazon Prime Video psychological thriller Homecoming (2018–2020), starring Julia Roberts and Janelle Monáe, and produced USA's Briarpatch (2020), Starz's Gaslit (2022), and Peacock's Angelyne (2022) and The Resort (2022).

Pearlena Igbokwe is the chairman of Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal. She is responsible for all aspects of creative affairs and production for four studios: Universal Television, Universal Content Productions (UCP), NBCUniversal International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Kids</span> American childrens television channel

Universal Kids is an American children's television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of NBCUniversal, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast.

<i>Brave New World</i> (TV series) American dystopian science fiction drama series

Brave New World is an American science fiction drama television series loosely based on the classic novel of the same name by Aldous Huxley. It premiered on the day NBCUniversal streaming service Peacock launched, July 15, 2020. In October 2020, the series was cancelled after one season.

Peacock is an American over-the-top subscription streaming service owned and operated by Peacock TV, LLC, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Media Group. Named after the NBC logo, the service launched on July 15, 2020.

<i>Dr. Death</i> (2021 TV series) American crime drama television series

Dr. Death is an American true crime drama anthology television series created by Patrick Macmanus, based on the podcast of the same name. It premiered on Peacock on July 15, 2021. In July 2022, the series was renewed for a second season that premiered on December 21, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Animation Television</span> American television animation studio and production company

DreamWorks Animation Television is an American animation studio that serves as the television production arm of DreamWorks Animation, itself a subsidiary of Universal Pictures and a division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. Founded in 1996, the entity was formerly named DreamWorks Television Animation. Its first programs from the 1990s and early 2000s used the live-action television logo, and were produced by DreamWorks Television, before DWATV and its parent company were spun off into an independent company in 2004 and later purchased by NBCUniversal in 2016. In total, the division has released 59 programs, with 7 in development.

Joe vs. Carole is an American drama television limited series created by Etan Frankel. It stars John Cameron Mitchell, Kate McKinnon, Kyle MacLachlan, Dean Winters, Brian Van Holt, William Fichtner, Nat Wolff, Sam Keeley, Lex Mayson, Joel Marsh Garland, Marlo Kelly, Kenneth Radley and Aliandra Calabrese. The series began streaming on Peacock on March 3, 2022.

<i>The Resort</i> (TV series) American dark comedy mystery television series

The Resort is an American dark comedy mystery television series created for Peacock by Andy Siara. The series stars William Jackson Harper and Cristin Milioti as a married couple on vacation at a holiday resort for their 10th anniversary, where they are drawn into a mystery that took place fifteen years before. It premiered on Peacock on July 28, 2022.

References

  1. "Jennifer Gwartz Joins Beatrice Springborn at UCP". The Hollywood Reporter . 10 May 2021.
  2. "UNIVERSAL CONTENT PRODUCTIONS LLC". OpenCorporates . 1998-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  3. 1 2 Lafayette, Jon (20 July 2008). "NBC Taps Cable-Studio Bosses". TVWeek. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  4. Andreeva, Nellie (13 June 2011). "NBCU's UMS And UCP Are Branching Out To Produce For Broadcast And Cable Networks". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  5. Goldberg, Lesley (8 February 2019). "Sam Esmail Renews Overall Deal With Universal Content Productions". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  6. Littleton, Cynthia; Low, Elaine (7 October 2019). "NBCUniversal Shakeup: Bonnie Hammer to Head Studios, Paul Telegdy Goes Solo at NBC". Variety. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Universal Content Productions Launches Podcast Network With Sam Esmail Original". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  8. White, Peter (2020-11-02). "UCP President Dawn Olmstead Joins Anonymous Content As CEO". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  9. Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (2021-02-26). "Soo Hugh Signs Overall Deal With UCP, Will Launch Talent Incubator". Variety. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  10. Goldberg, Lesley (2021-05-10). "Jennifer Gwartz Joins Beatrice Springborn at UCP". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  11. Baysinger, Tim (2021-08-31). "Elliot Page Signs First-Look Deal With UCP". TheWrap. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  12. Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 4, 2017). "Blumhouse Launches Indie TV Studio With ITV; 'The Purge' Becomes Series, Roger Ailes Fox News Series At Showtime". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  13. Otterson, Joe (13 May 2020). "'The Purge,' 'Treadstone' Canceled at USA Network". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  14. Petski, Denise (July 27, 2023). "True-Crime Anthology Series From Nick Antosca & Michelle Dean In Works At Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  15. Petski, Denise (May 18, 2018). "Hulu Orders 'The Act' True-Crime Anthology Series From Nick Antosca & Michelle Dean". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  16. Keveney, Bill (July 7, 2015). "Deal puts 'Umbrella Academy' on track". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  17. "Elisabeth Moss to Play Killer Candy Montgomery in Limited Series for UCP". Deadline. July 7, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  18. "Hulu Lands Elisabeth Moss True Crime Drama Series 'Candy' from UCP". Deadline. December 2, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  19. "'Queer As Folk Reboot Picked Up To Series At Peacock". Deadline. April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  20. Evans, Greg (March 2, 2021). "Peacock Orders New Bill Nye Series 'The End Is Nye' Examining Earthly Threats". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  21. Otterson, Joe (March 2, 2021). "Bill Nye to Host Peacock Science Series, Brannon Braga and Seth MacFarlane to Produce (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  22. Tuchow, Ryan (March 3, 2021). "Peacock orders new Bill Nye series". Kidscreen. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  23. Throne, Will (May 7, 2023). "'The Act' Creator Developing Jan Broberg Kidnap Series at UCP". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  24. White, Peter (April 11, 2022). "'Based on a True Story' Comedy Thriller From Craig Rosenberg & Jason Bateman Lands Straight-To-Order At Peacock". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  25. "'Scott Pilgrim' Anime Series in the Works From UCP, Netflix (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. January 7, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  26. Cordero, Rosy (February 28, 2024). "Yvonne Strahovski Joins Peacock's Ian McCulloch/James Wan Horror Drama Teacup". Deadline Hollywood .
  27. Petski, Denise (August 5, 2022). "Satanic Panic Thriller From Good Fear & 'Dungeons & Dragons' Duo Gets Straight-To-Series Order At Peacock". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  28. Petski, Denise (February 28, 2024). "Garret Dillahunt, Nolan North, Elijah Richardson Among 6 Cast In Peacock's Satanic Panic Thriller Series 'Hysteria!'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  29. Andreeva, Nellie (November 21, 2023). "'Cape Fear' Series From Nick Antosca, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese & UCP Heats Up TV Marketplace". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  30. Cordero, Rosy; Andreeva, Nellie (July 19, 2024). "NBC Picks Up Suits: L.A. & Grosse Pointe Garden Society To Series; Releases First-Look Photos". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  31. Rice, Lynette (June 20, 2024). "UCP To Adapt Chris Whitaker's New Novel 'All The Colors Of The Dark' Into Series". Deadline Hollywood .