Universal Channel

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.

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

On April 30, 2015, Universal Channel was closed during technical problems, along with E!.

Universal TV in Italy

In 2021, Universal TV was born in Italy for WWE programs managed by fixed telecronsti teams, and the founder of universal m.p. is a commentator for special episodes.

Programmes

Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia

* ''Being Erica''
* ''Brothers & Sisters''
* ''Fairly Legal''
* ''Haven''
* ''Law & Order''
* ''Law & Order: SVU''
* ''Law & Order: CI''
* ''Medium''
* ''Midsomer Murders''
* ''Rookie Blue''
* ''The Good Wife''
* ''The Real Housewives of Orange County''
* ''Three Rivers''
* ''Who Do You Think You Are?''
* ''Shattered''
* '' Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files''
* ''Diagnosis Murder''
* ''Foyle's War''
* ''The Guardian''
* ''Nash Bridges''
* ''McLeod's Daughters''
* ''Scandal''
* ''Hawaii Five-0''
* '' Sea Patrol''
* ''Monk''
* ''ER''
* ''Psych''
* '' Royal Pains''
* ''Blue Bloods''

Portugal

*''America’s Next Top Model''
*'' Brooklyn 11223''
*''Castle''
*''Charmed''
*'' Chicago P.D.''
*''Chuck''
*''Covert Affairs''
*'' ER''
*''Fairly Legal''
*''Falling Skies''
*''Grey’s Anatomy''
*'' Heroes''
*''House, M.D.''
*'' Last Resort''
*''Law & Order''
*'' Law & Order: Criminal Intent''
*'' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''
*'' Law & Order: Trial by Jury''
*''Life''
*'' Memphis Beat''
*''Midsomer Murders''
*''Modern Family''
*''Monk''
*''Nurse Jackie''
*'' Parenthood''
*'' Partners''
*''Psych''
*'' The Real Housewives of Atlanta''
*''The Real Housewives of Orange County''
*'' Ringer''
*''Rookie Blue''
*'' Royal Pains''
*'' Sea Patrol''
*'' Shattered''
*'' Smash''
*'' Stars Earn Stripes''
*'' Suits''
* ''Trauma''

Southeast Asia

* ''American Gladiators (2008 TV series)''
* ''Australian Gladiators''
* ''Criminal Minds''
* ''Crusoe''
* ''Flashpoint''
* ''The Event''
* ''Greek''
* ''House''
* ''I Survived a Japanese Game Show''
* ''Law & Order''
* '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent''
* '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''
* ''Life''
* ''The Murdoch Mysteries''
* ''The Office''
* ''The Pretender''
* ''Profiler''
* ''Psych''
* ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager''

New Zealand

* ''Chicago P.D.''
* ''Chicago Fire''
* ''Chicago Med''
* ''House''
* '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent''
* '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''
* ''Monk''

Former shows

* ''Astro Boy'' ^(a)
* ''Dalziel & Pascoe'' ^(a)
* ''Missing'' ^(b)
* ''Pushing Daisies'' ^(b)
* ''Quarterlife'' ^(b)
* ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager''^(b)
* ''Surface'' ^(b)
* ''Walker Texas Ranger'' ^(a)
* '' The Woody Woodpecker Show'' ^(a)
* '' World's Wildest Police Videos''^(b)
* '' Brothers & Sisters''^(b)
* ''Greek''^(b)
* ''Psych''^(b) (moved to Studio Universal)
* '' Heroes''^(b)
* ''The Event''^(b)
* ''Monk''^(b)
* '' Shattered (2010 TV series)''^(b)
* ''The Good Wife''^(b) (moved to Studio Universal)
* ''Forensic Files'', under the Medical Detectives title^(b)
* '' Three Rivers''^(b)
* '' Smash''^(b) (moved to Studio Universal)
* '' Surviving Suburbia'' ^(a)
* '' Worst Week'' ^(a)
* ''Family Guy'' ^(a)

''Selected territories'':

(a) - Latin America (b) - Southeast Asia

See also

* Universal TV (UK and Ireland)
* Universal Channel (Asia)
* Universal TV (Australia)
* Universal Channel (Greece)
* Universal Channel (Japan)
* Universal TV (New Zealand)
* Universal TV (Turkey)

External links

Universal TV Latin AmericaUniversal TV BrazilUniversal TV South Africa

{{Authority control

Spanish-language television stations
Portuguese-language television stations in Brazil
Russian-language television stations
Turkish-language television stations
NBCUniversal networks
Television channels and stations established in 2004
Globosat
Grupo Globo subsidiaries