 | |
| Formerly | NBC Universal Global Networks (2007–2009) Universal Networks International (2009–2015) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Founded | June 14, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-06-14) |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, United States |
| Products | Channels |
| Parent | NBCUniversal Media Group |
| Website | nbcuniversal |
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.
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. 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:
- 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. 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. On 1 January 2018, NBCUniversal International Networks took over HBO Asia's role with DreamWorks Channel in Southeast Asia.
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
- 7Bravo (Australia only)
- Bravo (New Zealand only)
- CNBC
- MSNBC International (Australia only)
- Universal TV
- DreamWorks Channel (Australia only)
- Oxygen
Former:
- E!
- TV1 (Australia only, was created as a joint venture with CBS and Sony)
- 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 and Switzerland
Former:
- Das Vierte
- E!
- 13th Street now part of the Sky Group
- SYFY now part of the Sky Group
- Universal TV now part of the Sky Group
Italy
- Class CNBC (joint venture with Class Editori (60%) and Mediaset (20%))
Former:
- Studio Universal
- Steel
- Syfy (branded block on Steel)
- Diva Universal
Netherlands
Former:
Poland
Former:
Romania
Former:
Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia
Spain and Portugal
- Calle 13 (Spain only)
- DreamWorks Channel (Spain only)
- SYFY Spain
- SYFY Portugal
Turkey
Former:
United Kingdom and Ireland
Former:
- Diva TV
- Style Network
- Universal TV
- E!
- SyFy, rebranded as Sky Sci-Fi part of the Sky Group
- Movies 24 now part of the Sky Group
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
- E!
- CNBC Arabiya
- CNBC Europe
- DreamWorks Channel
- SYFY
- MSNBC (Displays in most of the time on OSN News)
- Sky News
Latin America
- NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer Latin America (minority-owned by Ole Communications, networks distributed by Ole Distribution)
- Universal TV
- Universal+
- Universal Premiere (also available in Brazil)
- Universal Cinema
- Universal Comedy
- Universal Crime
- Universal Reality (also available in Brazil)
- Studio Universal
- USA
- E! (also available in Brazil)
- Telemundo Internacional
- DreamWorks Channel (also available in Brazil)
- CNBC International Latin America
- NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer Brasil (joint-venture with Globo, which also handles distribution)
- Universal TV Brazil
- Universal+ Brazil
- Studio Universal Brazil
- USA Brazil
- DreamWorks Channel Brazil
- CNBC Brazil
Japan
- Nikkei CNBC (joint venture with Nikkei, Inc., TV Tokyo, and Jupiter TV)
- Sky News
South Korea
Southeast Asia
- CNBC Asia
- CNBC Indonesia (licensed to Trans Media)
- JKN-CNBC (licensed to JKN Global Group)
- Golf Channel (except Malaysia)
- DreamWorks Channel
- Sky News (except Philippines)
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 (licensed to Vision Network Television Limited)
- Euronews
- E! (HD)
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Universal TV Africa
- Studio Universal Africa
- SYFY Africa
- MSNBC Africa
- CNBC Europe
- Telemundo Africa
- CNBC Africa (licensed to Africa Business News)
- E!
- DreamWorks Channel
- Sky News
Canada
- E! (operated by Bell Media under a brand licensing agreement)
- Bravo (operated by Rogers Sports & Media under a brand licensing agreement)
- USA Network (operated by Bell Media under a brand licensing agreement)
- Oxygen (operated by Bell Media under a brand licensing agreement)
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.
References
- "NBC Universal agrees to buy Sparrowhawk Media". Reuters. 28 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- "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.
- "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.
- 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.
- "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.
- "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.
- 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.
- Tribbey, Chris (March 28, 2016). "New NBCUniversal On-Demand Service Seeks Niche in U.K.". Broadcasting & Cable: 16–17.
External links
| NBCUniversal International Networks | |
|---|---|
| A division of NBCUniversal | |
| Asia |
|
| Australia & New Zealand |
|
| Europe, Middle East and Africa | |
| Latin America & Brazil |
|
| Canada (licensed) | |
| Defunct |
|
| NBCUniversal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A division of Comcast | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Studio Group |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Destinations & Experiences Group |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Media Group |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Telemundo Enterprises Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Local Group O&Os |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other units |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| News Group |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former/defunct properties |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Denotes joint ventures | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||