NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer, formerly NBC Universal Global Networks, Universal Networks International and NBCUniversal International Networks, is a part of NBCUniversal, owned by Comcast.
History
When NBCUniversal was formed in 2004, it owned many entertainment television channels in Europe and Latin America. These were mostly a few international versions of the Sci Fi Channel, three action and suspense series channels in Europe, the Italian Studio Universal channel and the Latin American version of the USA Network.
In 2007, NBC Universal acquired Sparrowhawk Media Group, which at the time was a British private equity-backed media company managing a collection of digital television channels, and integrated it into NBC Universal Global Networks. The purchase more than doubled the number of international channels in NBC Universal's portfolio. Sparrowhawk's crown jewel was an international network of drama channels available on most continents under the Hallmark Channel brand, but Diva TV, Movies 24, and KidsCo channels were also available.
Altogether, the company broadcast about 70 different channels by 2009. On 5 October 2009, it was announced that the venture would be renamed Universal Networks International and focus its attention on five channel brands, all with "Universal" in their name: Universal Channel 13th Street Universal Syfy Universal Diva Universal Studio Universal
The overhaul started in late 2009 and progressed during 2010. Most of the international Sci Fi channels were rebranded as Syfy. The Hallmark Channel brand was also phased out in most markets during 2010. Typically, it was replaced by the Universal Channel brand in markets where that brand was not available before. In many markets where Universal Channel was already present, Hallmark Channel was replaced by Diva Universal with one each replaced by Studio Universal or 13th Street Universal.
Following the merger of NBCUniversal and Comcast in 2011, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal: E! Entertainment Television Style Network The Golf Channel
The DreamWorks Channel was placed under the NBCU International executive vice president, lifestyle and kids Duccio Donati in August 2017. This paired the channel with E! international channels and NBCU lifestyle channel content. On 1 January 2018, NBCUniversal International Networks took over HBO Asia's role with DreamWorks Channel in Southeast Asia.
Following NBCU parent company, Comcast acquisition of Sky Group in 2018, NBCUniversal International Networks took over the sales, marketing and distribution rights to Sky News outside UK and Ireland from Fox Networks Group International.
Channels
Australia and New Zealand
7Bravo (Australia only) Bravo (New Zealand only) CNBC MSNBC International (Australia only) Universal TV Australia New Zealand DreamWorks Channel (Australia only) Oxygen Former: E! Euronews KidsCo 13th Street Style Network SYFY
Europe
13th Street
NBC Europe
CNBC Europe
E! Golf Channel Sky News Syfy
France
In December 2016, SFR got an exclusivity agreement with NBCUniversal for channels and films (on Altice Studio) 13ème Rue Universal SYFY France E!
Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Switzerland
13th Street
SYFY
Universal TV
Former: Das Vierte E!
Italy
Class CNBC (joint venture with Class Editori (60%) and Mediaset (20%))
Former: Studio Universal Steel Syfy (branded block on Steel) Diva Universal
Netherlands
DreamWorks Channel
Former: 13th Street Hallmark Channel Syfy
Poland
13 Ulica
SciFi Universal
Former: Movies 24 Universal Channel
Romania
Diva
E!
Former: Movies 24 Universal Channel
Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia
Diva Adria
SciFi Universal Poland
Spain & Portugal
Calle 13 (Spain only) DreamWorks Channel (Spain only) SYFY Spain SYFY Portugal
Turkey
Former: CNBC-e Universal Channel
United Kingdom and Ireland
Sky Sci-Fi - formerly SyFy, rebranded as part of the Sky Group
Movies 24
Movies 24 +
Former: Universal TV
Former channels in Europe
Euronews (25%) Universal Channel (Hungary) Universal Channel (Czech Republic and Slovakia) Movies 24 (Poland, Romania and Hungary) Universal Channel (Russia) Diva Universal (Russia) KidsCo Europe Hallmark Channel
Middle East and North Africa
E! CNBC Arabiya CNBC Europe DreamWorks Channel SYFY MSNBC (Displays in most of the time on OSN News) Sky News