NBCUniversal International Networks

Last updated
NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer
FormerlyNBC Universal Global Networks
Universal Networks International
Company type Subsidiary
FoundedJune 14, 2007;16 years ago (2007-06-14)
Headquarters New York City, New York, United States
Products Channels
Parent NBCUniversal Media Group
Website nbcuniversal.com

NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer, formerly NBC Universal Global Networks, Universal Networks International and NBCUniversal International Networks, is a part of NBCUniversal, owned by Comcast.

Contents

History

When NBCUniversal was formed in 2004, 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.

Altogether, the company broadcast about 70 different channels by 2009. 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]

The overhaul started in late 2009 and progressed during 2010. Most of the international Sci Fi channels were rebranded as Syfy. [4] 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 was not available before. In many markets where Universal Channel was already present, Hallmark Channel was replaced by Diva Universal with one each replaced by Studio Universal or 13th Street Universal.

Following the merger of NBCUniversal and Comcast in 2011, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal:

The DreamWorks Channel was placed under the NBCU International executive vice president, lifestyle and kids Duccio Donati in August 2017. This paired the channel with E! international channels and NBCU lifestyle channel content. [5] [6] On 1 January 2018, NBCUniversal International Networks took over HBO Asia's role with DreamWorks Channel in Southeast Asia. [7]

Following NBCU parent company, Comcast acquisition of Sky Group in 2018, NBCUniversal International Networks took over the sales, marketing and distribution rights to Sky News outside UK and Ireland from Fox Networks Group International.

Channels

Australia and New Zealand

Former:

Europe

France

In December 2016, SFR got an exclusivity agreement with NBCUniversal for channels and films (on Altice Studio)

Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Switzerland

Former:

Italy

Former:

Netherlands

Former:

Poland

Former:

Romania

Former:

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

Spain and Portugal

Turkey

Former:

United Kingdom and Ireland

Former:

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 . [8]

Related Research Articles

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Sky Sci-Fi is a British pay television channel service specialising in science fiction, fantasy and horror shows and movies. It is owned by NBCUniversal International Networks, a division of NBCUniversal and as of 2018, Sky Group, both under the Comcast Corporation.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal TV</span> Pay television channel

Universal TV, formerly Universal Channel, is an international pay television network specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, horror, crime and investigation genres, owned by NBCUniversal International Networks, a division of NBCUniversal and available on satellite and cable platforms. They were formerly branded as USA Network until 2003 when the name was changed to take more advantage of the Universal branding, but continue programming as that network does like a general interest network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HBO Latin America Group</span> Former group of pay television networks

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hallmark Channel (international)</span> Television channel

Hallmark Channel, formerly Hallmark Entertainment Network, in international markets was owned by several media companies. Over their history, the various channels were operated by Hallmark Entertainment Networks, Inc. (1995–2005), Sparrowhawk Media, Limited (2005–2007) and Universal Networks International (2007–2011). Universal Networks International rebranded or discontinued the channels by July 2011. Hallmark Entertainment Networks, Inc. was owned by Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Sparrowhawk Media was owned by venture capital companies and Universal Networks International is owned by NBCUniversal.

Diva was an English-language pay television channel in Singapore. It launched on 3 May 1995 as Hallmark Entertainment Network, along with E!, and was first owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS). In 2010, as part of an agreement with NBCUniversal International Networks, the channel was renamed Diva Universal in 2010 and then Diva in 2014. It closed at the end of 2019 in anticipation of the launch of the streaming service Hayu in the region.

Studio Universal Latin America is a 24-hour cable television channel broadcasting from New York, United States, targeted for Middle and South American audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syfy (Latin American TV channel)</span> Television channel

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Channel</span> NBCUniversal-owned TV channel

DreamWorks Channel, commonly known as DreamWorks, is a pay television network owned and operated by the NBCUniversal International Networks division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. First launched in Southeast Asia on 1 August 2015, it expanded to the rest of Asia as well as Europe, Africa and Oceania. Its programming is mainly sourced from DreamWorks Animation.

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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.

Peacock is an American over-the-top video 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. The service primarily features series and film content from NBCUniversal studios and other third-party content providers, including television series, films, news, and sports programming. The service is available in a grandfathered free ad-supported version with limited content, while premium tiers include a larger content library and access to additional NBC Sports, Hallmark Channel, and WWE content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ole Distribution</span> Joint venture subsidiary between Warner Bros. Discovery and Ole Communications

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References

  1. "NBC Universal agrees to buy Sparrowhawk Media". Reuters. 28 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  2. "NBC Universal buys 18 Hallmark channels outside the U.S. - International Herald Tribune". www.iht.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-31. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  3. "Universal Networks to focus on 5 channels". Broadband TV News. October 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  4. Clover, Julian (16 March 2009). "Sci-Fi Channel regenerates into Syfy". Broadband TV News. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. "NBCU EVP Duccio Donati Takes on DreamWorks Channel". Animation Magazine. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  6. "Duccio Donati tapped for new kids role at NBCUniversal". Kidscreen. August 4, 2017. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  7. Frater, Patrick (27 November 2017). "NBCUniversal to Take Full Control of DreamWorks Channel in Asia". Variety. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. Tribbey, Chris (March 28, 2016). "New NBCUniversal On-Demand Service Seeks Niche in U.K.". Broadcasting & Cable : 16–17.