Universal TV
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.
 | |
| Ownership | |
|---|---|
| Owner | NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUniversal/Comcast) (operated and distributed by Ole Distribution) Brazil: NBCUniversal International Networks (50%), Canais Globo (Grupo Globo, 50%) (distributed by Canais Globo) |
| Sister channels | 13th Street Universal Diva Universal Syfy Universal Studio Universal Movies 24 CNBC International E! Style Network Golf Channel DreamWorks Channel Sky News |
| History | |
| Launched | September 1, 2004 (Latin America) March 15, 2006 (France) May 29, 2007 (Russia) June 13, 2011 (Italy) December 2009 (Turkey) |
| Closed | May 1, 2015 (Russia) |
| Links | |
| Website | Universal TV Brazil Universal TV South Africa Universal TV Latin America Universal Channel Russia |
Launched in other countries
Original launch
Universal Channel was officially launched on 1 December 2007 in Poland (as Kanał Universal) and Romania (as Canalul Universal) and on 1 July 2008 in Southeast Asia. In Latin America the channel is owned by NBC Universal but is controlled and broadcast by Fox International Channels Latin America and Globosat in Brazil.
Re-branded in selected countries
In South Africa, Hallmark Channel was re-branded under that name on 24 March 2010 for DStv subscribers. In Japan, Sci Fi Channel re-branded to that name on 1 April 2010. In Australia, Hallmark Channel re-branded to that name on 1 July 2010. In Hungary (as Universal Csatorna), Czech Republic, Slovakia and ex Yugoslav countries Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hallmark Channel was re-branded to that name on 3 September 2010. And in the Philippines, this channel was launched on 26 July 2010 and replaced the Sci Fi Channel which was rebranded as Universal Channel.
On 18 October 2010, the Hallmark Channel in the UK and Ireland was rebranded, adopting the Universal Channel name. The UK version closed on 27 January 2020. On 3 May 2018, starting with the UK, they have begun the global rebrand of the channel as 'Universal TV'. In August 2018, the Brazilian signal of Universal Channel was rebranded to Universal TV, with the Latin American variant following suit in October.
Universal TV’s Launch in New Zealand
In 2021, SkyTV New Zealand and NBCUniversal had signed a multi-year deal allowing Sky to broadcast their new movies, programmes and content while also taking into affect their current catalogue. Therefore, releasing Universal TV to New Zealand audiences as a part of Sky New Zealand’s Starter pack.
Universal Channel and E!’s Closure in Russia
In April 30, 2015, Universal Channel was closed during technical problems, along with E!.