Launched October 1999 Country United Kingdom Motto '100% Characters' | Slogan '100% Characters' Founded 1999 | |
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Picture format 16:9, 576i (SDTV)
16:9, 1080i (HDTV) Audience share 0.34%
0.07% (+1) (September 2015 (2015-09), BARB) Broadcast area United Kingdom, Ireland Owned by NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUniversal) Profiles | ||
The Universal Channel is a television channel owned by NBCUniversal.
Contents
- History
- 2010 rebrand
- 2013 rebrand
- First run programming
- Former programming
- Most watched programmes
- Universal Channel HD
- Hallmark 2
- References
The channel mainly broadcasts United States imports including drama series and TV movies such as House MD and Law & Order. However the channel also screens British dramas including Hustle and Spooks, and Australian series like Sea Patrol and McLeod's Daughters. The channel specialises in programming that is appropriate for the whole family.
This channel is specific to audiences within the United Kingdom and Ireland.
History
The channel was previously owned by the privately backed Sparrowhawk Media Group, until late 2007 when the company was bought by NBC Universal. It was previously known as the Hallmark Entertainment Network and the Hallmark Channel.
Coinciding with the launch of Hallmark Channel HD, Hallmark Channel became 16:9 widescreen capable on 28 June 2010.
2010 rebrand
In June 2009, a memorandum leaked to the television trade newspaper Broadcast stated that NBC Universal planned to rebrand the Hallmark Channel as a Universal Channel in October 2009. The "Hallmark Channel" brand was licensed to NBC Universal from Crown Media (which operates the US Hallmark Channel) and was due to expire. An NBC Universal spokesperson denied such a rebrand would happen.
On 2 September 2010, Universal Networks International confirmed plans to rebrand the Hallmark Channel as the Universal Channel in the UK. On 18 October, the pay-TV channel and its timeshift and high definition variants became the Universal Channel, Universal Channel +1 and Universal Channel HD.
The Universal Channel gave UK premieres to cop show Rookie Blue and legal drama Fairly Legal in early 2011. It also aired Shattered, which stars Callum Keith Rennie as a homicide detective suffering from multiple personality disorder.
On 1 December 2010, Universal Channel launched a specific feed which targets Ireland. Universal Channel in Ireland airs localised advertising. The Irish feed does not include subtitles. TV3 act as the Irish variation's advertising sales agents.
2013 rebrand
On 31 July 2013 Universal Channel announced it was to reposition the channel's identity to viewers in the UK and Ireland. The new look was launched on 5 August 2013 featuring new logo, on-air and on-line identity. The channel uses the tagline '100% Characters'. This coincides with some new programming arriving to the channel from September including UK and Irish premiere of Bates Motel.
First-run programming
Former programming
Most watched programmes
The following is a list of the ten most watched shows on Universal (previously The Hallmark Channel), based on Live +7 data supplied by BARB up to 30 November 2014. The number of viewers does not include repeats or airings on Universal +1
Universal Channel HD
Universal Channel HD, a high-definition simulcast, launched on Sky (as the Hallmark Channel HD) on 28 June 2010 at 7pm. Showing US shows like the Law & Order titles, CSI and Without a Trace in high definition.
Universal Channel HD was also launched on BT TV on 1 September 2016.
Hallmark 2
In July 2005, there were rumours that Sparrowhawk were going to launch a sister channel to the Hallmark Channel, called Hallmark 2. This was denied by a spokesperson for Hallmark who said that "a second channel from Hallmark will not be launching 'anytime soon'". Movies 24 was launched instead.