Universal Channel (UK and Ireland)
| Universal Channel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | October 1999 |
| Owned by | Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal) |
| Picture format |
16:9, 576i (SDTV) 16:9, 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.34% 0.07% (+1) (September 2015, BARB) |
| Slogan | '100% Characters' |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom, Ireland |
| Formerly called | Hallmark Entertainment Network Hallmark Channel (until 18 October 2010) |
| Sister channel(s) |
CNBC Europe E! Movies 24 Style Network Syfy |
| Timeshift service | Universal Channel +1 |
| Website | www.universalchannel.co.uk |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Sky (UK) | Channel 113 (SD/HD) Channel 150 (+1) Channel 204 (SD) |
| Sky (Ireland) | Channel 113 Channel 150 (+1) Channel 204 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media (UK) | Channel 137 Channel 138 (+1) Channel 164 (HD) |
| Virgin Media (Ireland) | Channel 123 |
| IPTV | |
| TalkTalk TV | Channel 320 |
| BT | Channel 320 Channel 385 (HD) |
| Plusnet | Channel 320 |
| Streaming media | |
| Sky Go | Watch live (UK and Ireland only) |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (UK only) |
The Universal Channel is a television channel owned by NBCUniversal.
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.
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.
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.
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