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 September 2004 in Latin America, then it launched on 1 December 2007 in Poland (as Kanał Universal) and Romania (as Canalul Universal) and on 1 July 2008 in Southeast Asia.
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, 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.
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 effect their current catalogue. Therefore, releasing Universal TV to New Zealand audiences as a part of Sky New Zealand’s Starter pack.
Closure in Russia On April 30, 2015, Universal Channel was closed due to financial problems in the Russian market, along with E!.
Universal Channels around the world ChannelCountry or regionFormerlyLaunch yearShutdown yearUniversal TVLatin AmericaUSA Network (first era)September 1, 2004Universal Channel (Polish TV channel)PolandDecember 1, 2007December 31, 2017Universal Channel (Romanian TV channel)RomaniaApril 30, 2015Universal Channel (Russian TV channel)RussiaMay 29, 2008Universal Channel (Asian TV channel)AsiaJuly 1, 2008July 1, 2017Universal Channel (Greek TV channel)GreeceMay 7, 2009On this reference, and other secondary sources like this one or this another one, I read Universal Channel launched in Greece on May 7, 2009, but checking out on the official website I read the channel launched on May 5, 2008.May 31, 2012CyprusMarch 31, 2013Universal Channel (Turkish TV channel)TurkeyDecember 17, 20092013Universal Channel (South African TV channel)South AfricaHallmark ChannelMarch 24, 2010Universal Channel (Japanese TV channel)JapanSci FiApril 1, 2010March 31, 2013Universal TV (Australian TV channel)AustraliaHallmark ChannelJuly 1, 2010Universal Channel (Eastern European TV channel)Czech Republic, Slovakia3 September 2010July 30, 2016HungaryAugust 28, 2016Serbia, Croatia, SloveniaSeptember 1, 2016 (replaced by Diva Universal)Universal TV (British and Irish TV channel)United Kingdom, Ireland18 October 201027 January 2020 (replaced by Sky Comedy)Universal TV (German TV channel)Germany, SwitzerlandSeptember 5, 2013Universal TV (New Zealand)New ZealandApril 30, 2021
Programmes Latin America Almost Paradise Bates Motel Blue Bloods Beauty & the Beast Brothers & Sisters The Cape Chicago Fire Chicago Med Chicago P.D. Dalziel & Pascoe Elementary The Event Family Law FBI FBI: International FBI: Most Wanted The Good Wife Grimm House Law & Order Law & Order: LA Law & Order: Special Victims Unit The Librarians Magnum P.I. Psych The Rookie Rookie Blue Stalker Surviving Suburbia Walker, Texas Ranger Worst Week
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia Source: Being Erica Blue Bloods Brothers & Sisters Clara Sheller Diagnosis: Murder ER Foyle's War Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files Fairly Legal Foyle's War The Good Wife The Guardian Haven Hawaii Five-0 Judging Amy Law & Order Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order: Criminal Intent Life Is Wild McLeod's Daughters Medium Midsomer Murders Miss Marple Monk Nash Bridges Psych The Real Housewives of New York City The Real Housewives of Orange County Rookie Blue Royal Pains Salem's Lot Scandal Sea Patrol The Sentinel Shattered Three Rivers Who Do You Think You Are?
South Africa Being Erica Bones Bosch Chicago Med Chicago P.D. Cold Case CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Cyber CSI:NY Dark Matter The Detail Flashpoint House Law & Order Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Special Victims Unit The Librarians Men in Trees The Mentalist Monk NCIS NCIS: New Orleans Numb3rs Psych Ransom Rizzoli & Isles Rookie Blue Second Chance Taxi Brooklyn Two and a Half Men Unforgettable Wild at Heart
United Kingdom Acceptable Risk Bates Motel Burden of Truth Chance Chicago Justice Chicago Med CSI: Miami CSI: NY Condor Coroner Departure The Disappearance Gone How to Get Away with Murder Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Major Crimes Motive Mr. Robot The Murders NCIS Private Eyes Proven Innocent Pure Genius Ransom The Resident Rookie Blue Royal Pains Second Chance Sleepy Hollow
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)
Notes
References
External links Universal TV Latin America Universal TV Brazil Universal TV South Africa