NBCUniversal International Networks

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NBCUniversal International Networks
FormerlyNBC Universal Global Networks
Universal Networks International
FoundedJune 14, 2007
HeadquartersNew York City, New York, United States
ProductsChannels
OwnerNBCUniversal
(Comcast)
ParentNBCUniversal Television and Streaming
WebsiteOfficial Site

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

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]

  • Universal Channel
  • 13th Street Universal
  • Syfy Universal
  • Diva Universal
  • Studio Universal

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 wasn't 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:

  • E! Entertainment Television
  • Style Network
  • The Golf Channel

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:

  • Arena (Australia only)
  • Euronews
  • KidsCo
  • 13th Street
  • Style Network
  • SYFY

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[]

  • Class CNBC (joint venture with Class Editori (60%) and Mediaset (20%))

Former:

Netherlands[]

Former:

  • 13th Street
  • Hallmark Channel
  • Syfy

Poland[]

  • SciFi Universal

Former:

Romania[]

Former:

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

  • SciFi Universal Poland

Spain & Portugal[]

  • Calle 13 (Spain only)
  • SYFY Spain
  • SYFY Portugal

United Kingdom and Ireland[]

Former:

  • Universal TV

Former channels in Europe[]

  • Euronews (25%)
  • Universal Channel (Hungary)
  • Universal Channel (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
  • Movies 24 (Poland, Romania and Hungary)
  • Universal Channel (Russia)
  • Diva Universal (Russia)
  • KidsCo Europe
  • Hallmark Channel

Middle East and North Africa[]

Latin America[]

  • NBCUniversal International Networks Spanish Latin America (minority-owned by , networks distributed by Ole Distribution)
  • NBCUniversal International Networks Brasil (joint-venture with Globo, which also handles distribution)

Japan[]

  • Nikkei CNBC (joint venture with Nikkei, Inc., TV Tokyo, and )
  • Sky News

South Korea[]

Southeast Asia[]

  • CNBC Asia
  • CNBC Indonesia (joint venture with Trans Media)
  • (licensed to )
  • Golf Channel (HD)
  • DreamWorks Channel
  • Sky News

Former:

  • Diva (HD) (ceased transmission broadcasts on New Year's Eve 2019 at 11.59pm together with E!)
  • E! (HD) (ceased transmission broadcasts on New Year's Eve 2019 at 11.59pm together with Diva)
  • Euronews
  • KidsCo Asia
  • Style Network
  • SYFY Asia
  • Universal Channel Asia

South Asia[]

  • CNBC-TV18 (joint venture with TV18)
  • CNBC Awaaz (joint venture with TV18)
  • CNBC Prime
  • CNBC Bajar
  • Golf Channel
  • Sky News

Former:

  • CNBC Pakistan (franchisely operated by )
  • Euronews
  • E! (HD)

Sub-Saharan Africa[]

United States and Canada[]

  • CNBC
  • CNBC World
  • MSNBC
  • SYFY
  • E!
  • E! Canada (available in Canada, franchisely operated by Bell Media)
  • Bravo!
  • Golf Channel
  • Universal Kids
  • Telemundo
  • Sky News

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]

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. ^ "Universal Networks to focus on 5 channels". Broadband TV News. October 5, 2009.
  4. ^ Clover, Julian (16 March 2009). "Sci-Fi Channel regenerates into Syfy". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. ^ "NBCU EVP Duccio Donati Takes on DreamWorks Channel". Animation Magazine. August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  6. ^ "Duccio Donati tapped for new kids role at NBCUniversal". Kidscreen. August 4, 2017.
  7. ^ Frater, Patrick (27 November 2017). "NBCUniversal to Take Full Control of DreamWorks Channel in Asia". Variety. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. ^ Tribbey, Chris (March 28, 2016). "New NBCUniversal On-Demand Service Seeks Niche in U.K.". Broadcasting & Cable: 16–17.

External links[]


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