Universal TV (formerly Hallmark Channel and Universal Channel) is an Australian

cable Cable may refer to: Mechanical * Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof * Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a hel ...

and

satellite A satellite or an artificial satellite is an object, typically a spacecraft, placed into orbit around a celestial body. They have a variety of uses, including communication relay, weather forecasting, navigation ( GPS), broadcasting, scient ...

television channel, owned and operated by NBCUniversal International Networks. It has been available on most subscription television platforms in Australia since 1998.

History

The channel was added to Austar in April 1999. On 1 July 2010, the Hallmark Channel rebranded as the Universal Channel. This rebrand saw the slogan ''In every life there is drama'' replaced with ''Characters Welcome'' as well as the channel converting from 4:3 aspect ratio to 16:9

widescreen Widescreen images are displayed within a set of aspect ratio (image), aspect ratios (relationship of image width to height) used in film, television and computer screens. In film, a widescreen film is any film image with a width-to-height aspect ...

picture format. It brought the introduction of new series, including two Australian premiere series, as well as returning to first seasons of almost all programs already aired. On 1 February 2015, Universal Channel launched on Australian IPTV service Fetch TV.

2014 channel rebranding

On 1 January 2014, the Universal Channel rebranded itself alongside other transformations to the Foxtel platform. Among the changes under the rebrand included the channel aligning itself with the international logo and slogan ''100% Characters'', launching Australian premiere series '' The Michael J. Fox Show'', '' The Night Shift'' and the American adaptation of ''Rake'' and inherited series from the closure of TV1 including ''

30 Rock ''30 Rock'' is an American satire, satirical sitcom television series created by Tina Fey that originally aired on NBC from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013. The series, based on Fey's experiences as head writer for ''Saturday Night Live' ...

'', '' Covert Affairs'', '' Suits'', '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' and '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent''. In addition to the closure of TV1, this influx of programming was attributed to the end of the output agreement between

NBCUniversal NBCUniversal Media, LLC (abbreviated as NBCU and Trade name, doing business as NBCUniversal or Comcast NBCUniversal since 2013) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational mass media and Show business, entertainment conglomerate (comp ...

and

Seven Network Seven Network (stylised 7Network, and commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is an Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, ...

in mid 2013, allowing for more programming opportunities for Universal Channel. Additionally, Universal Channel moved to the basic tier of the Foxtel platform, as opposed to its previous placement in a premium package, allowing all subscribers to access the channel. Also, a two-hour timeshift channel launched on channel 162. As for the films broadcast on the channel, the channel not only airs films from

Universal Pictures Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures (also known as Universal Studios or simply Universal), is an American filmmaking, film production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered at the 10 Universal Ci ...

, but also airs films from other distributors such as

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...

DreamWorks Pictures DreamWorks Pictures (also known as DreamWorks SKG and commonly referred to as DreamWorks) is an American film studio and Film distribution, distribution label of Amblin Partners. It was originally founded on October 12, 1994, as a live-action a ...

, and Miramax Films.

Universal Channel HD

On 3 November 2014, Universal Channel launched a HD simulcast on Foxtel. In addition, it moved from channel 116 to channel 112 and Universal Channel + 2 moved from channel 162 to channel 155. On 14 February 2017, Universal Channel was made available in HD for Fetch TV customers. On 1 June 2018, Universal Channel became Universal TV.

Programming

Universal TV currently airs a variety of international programs, including:

Former programming

Prior to the 2014 format, the channel aired content from the original American Hallmark Channel, selected telemovies from the United States and United Kingdom, along with classic and contemporary Australian drama series from Southern Star Entertainment. A list of Australian produced shows broadcast on Universal TV prior to the 2014 format include: * '' A Country Practice'' * '' All Saints'' (moved to 111) * '' Always Greener'' * '' Blue Heelers'' * '' City Homicide'' * '' The Librarians'' * '' McLeod's Daughters'' * ''

Offspring In biology, offspring are the young creation of living organisms, produced either by sexual reproduction, sexual or asexual reproduction. Collective offspring may be known as a brood or progeny. This can refer to a set of simultaneous offspring ...

'' * ''

Packed to the Rafters ''Packed to the Rafters'' is an Australian family-oriented comedy drama television program which premiered on the Seven Network on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 8:30 pm. The show continued on Tuesdays in this timeslot for its entire run. The dr ...

'' (moved to 111) * ''

Police Rescue ''Police Rescue'' is an Australian television series which originally aired on ABC TV (Australian TV channel), ABC TV between 1989 and 1996. It was produced by Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC and Southern Star Entertainment, Southern ...

'' * '' Rake'' * '' Rescue: Special Ops'' * '' Rush'' * '' SeaChange'' * '' Sea Patrol'' * '' Stingers'' * '' The Secret Life of Us'' * '' Water Rats''

Availability

Universal TV is part of most

and

pay television providers in Australia, usually included in an extra or add-on package. Providers include

Foxtel NXE Australia Pty Ltd, trading as the Foxtel Group, is an Australian pay television company that operates cable television, direct-broadcast satellite, direct broadcast satellite television, and IPTV streaming services. It was formed in April ...

, Austar, Optus TV and Neighbourhood Cable.

Ratings

Universal TV's ratings have increased from a 0.3% share in April 2007, to a 0.5% share in January 2010 (before the channel's re-branding). This is an 0.2% increase in almost 3 years.

External links

Universal TV website (Australia)

References

{{Subscription television channels in Australia Television networks in Australia Television channels and stations established in 1998 English-language television stations in Australia