Universal Networks International, formerly NBC Universal Global Networks, is a part of NBCUniversal.
When NBC Universal was formed, it owned entertainment television channels in Europe and Latin America. They 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 also a few new channels such as Diva TV and Movies 24.
On October 5, 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
Altogether, the company broadcast about 70 different channels by 2009.
The overhaul started in late 2009 and progressed during 2010. Most of the international Sci Fi channels were rebranded as Syfy Universal. 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 either Studio Universal, Diva Universal or 13th Street Universal.
Following the merger of NBCUniversal and Comcast, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal:
- E! Entertainment Television
- Style Network, and
- The Golf Channel
Read more about Universal Networks International: High Definition
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