Universal TV (United Kingdom and Ireland)

{{Short description|British TV channel (1999–2020)}} {{for|the television production company|Universal Television}} {{EngvarB|date=June 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Universal TV | logo = Universal TV 2018.svg | logo_size = 200px | launch_date = {{start date and age|1999|10|18|df=y}} | closed_date = {{end date and age|2020|01|27|df=y}} | picture_format = 1080i HDTV {{small|(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)}} | owner = NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUniversal) | country = United Kingdom Ireland | area = United Kingdom, Ireland | former_names = '''Hallmark Entertainment Network''' '''Hallmark Channel''' (1999–2010) '''Universal Channel''' (2010–2018) | sister_channels = CNBC Europe E! Movies 24 Sky Sci-Fi | timeshift_service = Universal TV +1 | replaced_by = Sky Comedy | website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20190317151735/http://www.universaltv.co.uk/ www.universaltv.co.uk] (archived, now redirects to Sky.com) }} '''Universal TV''' was a British and Irish pay television channel owned by the NBCUniversal International Networks division of NBCUniversal. It was devoted primarily to imported drama series, mostly from the United States, and operated under various names between 1999 and 2020.

==History== ===As Hallmark Channel=== The channel launched in October 1999 and was previously owned by the privately backed Sparrowhawk Media Group, until late 2007 when it was bought out by NBCUniversal. It previously licensed programming and branding from Crown Media Holdings, and was previously known as the Hallmark Entertainment Network and the Hallmark Channel (Crown Media had sold off their international assets in 2005).

Coinciding with the launch of Hallmark Channel HD, Hallmark Channel became 16:9 widescreen capable on 28 June 2010.

===As Universal Channel=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBC plans to ditch Hallmark UK brand |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/nbc-plans-to-ditch-hallmark-uk-brand/5002838.article |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Broadcast |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a271434/hallmark-channel-to-rebrand-as-universal.html|title=Hallmark Channel to rebrand as Universal|publisher=Digital Spy|date=2 September 2010}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 November 2010 |title=Subtitles in Ireland – From 1st December |url=http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/forum/subtitles-ireland-1st-december |publisher=Universal Channel }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> TV3 act as the Irish variation's advertising sales agents.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 December 2010 |title=Universal ad deal secured by TV3 |url=http://www.businesspost.ie/#!article/9a161b49-40c0-4525-8501-1faa3ff7bfde |url-status=dead |publisher=The Irish Post |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923101056/http://www.businesspost.ie/#!article/9a161b49-40c0-4525-8501-1faa3ff7bfde }}</ref>

On 31 July 2013, Universal Channel unveiled a refreshed branding and new slogan it launched on 5 August, "100% Characters". The brand reflected "that great characters are the magnets that draw viewers back to their favourite shows - week after week".<ref>{{cite web|last=Fletcher |first=Alex |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a502759/universal-channel-rebrands-with-100-percent-characters-tagline-new-logo.html |title=Universal Channel rebrands with '100% Characters' tagline, new logo |publisher=Digital Spy |date=31 July 2013 |access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref>

=== As Universal TV === On 3 May 2018, NBCUniversal unveiled a new name and branding for its Universal Channel chain, '''Universal TV''', launching first on the United Kingdom feed. The rebranding was intended to make the network a "destination brand that celebrates world-class, high-quality, character-driven content".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-intl-entertainment-channel-renamed-universal-tv-brand-refresh-1108246|title=NBCUniversal Int'l Entertainment Channel Renamed Universal TV in Brand Refresh|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-05-07|language=en}}</ref>

=== Closure === In December 2019, BT TV announced that Universal TV would be leaving the UK market along with VH1 and that the channel will close.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rxtvlog.com/2019/12/universal-vh-1-uk-axe.html?m=1 |title=Axe falls on Universal and VH1 UK - RXTV Log |access-date=22 December 2019 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223140158/http://www.rxtvlog.com/2019/12/universal-vh-1-uk-axe.html?m=1 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

The channel closed down its operations on 27 January 2020, with Sky Comedy taking its place on EPG guides.

==Programming== ===Final Programming=== Sources:<ref>{{Cite web |title=What's on Universal TV? |url=https://tv24.co.uk/channel/universal-tv/2020-01-26 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=TV24.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> * ''Gone'' * ''Law & Order'' * ''NCIS'' * ''Private Eyes'' (now on Sky Witness) * ''Teleshopping''

===Former Programming=== * ''Acceptable Risk'' * ''Bates Motel''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date= |title=Programe |url=http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230042649/http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows |archive-date=30 December 2014 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=universalchannel.co.uk }}</ref> * ''Battle Creek''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= |title=All shows A-Z |url=http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows/all |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210093020/http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows/all |archive-date=2015-12-10 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Universal Channel UK}}</ref> * ''The Border''<ref name=":0" /> * ''Boston Legal''<ref name=":0" /> (now on Disney+) * ''Breakout Kings''<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date= |title=Shows |url=http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630044706/http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows |archive-date=2013-06-30 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=universalchannel.co.uk}}</ref> * ''Burden of Truth'' * ''Chance'' * ''Chicago Justice'' * ''Chicago Med'' (now on Sky Witness) * ''Cold Case''<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date= |title=Shows |url=http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628145115/http://www.universalchannel.co.uk/shows |archive-date=2011-06-28 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Universal Channel UK}}</ref> (now on Prime Video) * ''Community'' (now on ITVX) * ''Condor'' (now on MGM+) * ''Conviction'' * ''Coroner'' (now on Sky Witness) * ''CSI: Miami''<ref name=":0" /> (now On Pluto TV) * ''CSI: NY''<ref name=":3" /> (now On Pluto TV) * ''Damages''<ref name=":3" /> (now on Sony One Thriller TV & ITVX) * ''Departure'' (now on Sky Witness) * ''Diagnosis: Murder''<ref name=":3" /> * ''The Disappearance'' * ''The District'' * ''Fairly Legal''<ref name=":3" /> (now on Prime Video) * ''The Finder''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Flashpoint''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Graceland''<ref name=":0" /> * ''Harry's Law''<ref name=":2" /> * ''House''<ref name=":3" /> (now On Prime Video) * ''How to Get Away with Murder'' (Now on Disney+ and Channel 4)<ref name=":1" /> * ''In Plain Sight''<ref name=":2" /> * ''JAG'' * ''King''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Law & Order''<ref name=":3" /> (now on 5USA) * ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent''<ref name=":3" /> * ''Law & Order: LA''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (now on Sky Witness)<ref name=":3" /> * ''Law & Order: Trial By Jury''<ref name=":1" /> * ''Lie to Me''<ref name=":2" /> (now on Disney+) * ''Life''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Major Crimes'' (now on Alibi)<ref name=":2" /> * ''McLeod's Daughters'' * ''The Mentalist''<ref name=":3" /> (now on U&Alibi) * ''Monk''<ref name=":3" /> (now on Netflix UK * ''Motive''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Mr. Robot'' * ''The Murders'' * ''Necessary Roughness''<ref name=":0" /> * ''Numbers''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Prime Suspect''<ref name=":2" /> * ''Proven Innocent'' * ''Psych''<ref name=":3" /> (now on Netflix UK and Pluto TV) * ''Pure Genius'' * ''Quincy, M.E.''<ref name=":3" /> * ''Rake''<ref name=":0" /> * ''Ransom'' (now on 5USA) * ''Rescue: Special Ops''<ref name=":3" /> * ''The Resident'' (now on Disney+ and 5) * ''Rookie Blue'' (now on 5USA)<ref name=":3" /> * ''Royal Pains''<ref name=":3" /> * ''Sea Patrol''<ref name=":3" /> * ''Second Chance'' * ''Shattered''<ref name=":3" /> * ''Sleepy Hollow''<ref name=":0" /> (now on Disney+) * ''True Justice''<ref name=":2" /> * ''White Collar'' (now on Disney+ and U&Alibi) * ''Without a Trace''<ref name=":3" />

==Sister and subsidiary channels== ===Universal TV HD=== Universal TV HD, a high-definition simulcast, launched on Sky (as the Hallmark Channel HD) on 28 June 2010 at 7pm.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 March 2010 |title=Sky Extends High Definition Leadership with HD Channel Milestone |url=http://corporate.sky.com/media/press_releases/2010/HD_channel_milestone.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323092328/https://corporate.sky.com/media/press_releases/2010/HD_channel_milestone.htm |archive-date=2010-03-23 |publisher=British Sky Broadcasting}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=290841|title=Hallmark Channel HD Launches Tonight on Sky 220|publisher=PR Newswire|date=28 June 2010}}</ref> Showing US shows like the ''Law & Order'' titles, ''CSI'' and ''Without a Trace'' in high definition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a234922/hallmark-channel-hd-to-launch-tonight.html|title=Hallmark Channel HD to launch tonight|publisher=Digital Spy|date=28 June 2010}}</ref>

Universal TV 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.<ref name="media2006">{{Cite web |date=2006-03-28 |title=Second Hallmark channel launch denied |url=http://media247.co.uk/skydigital/newsarchive/2006/03/second_hallmark.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614031033/http://media247.co.uk/skydigital/newsarchive/2006/03/second_hallmark.php |archive-date=2006-06-14 |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Sky Digi Online}}</ref> This was denied by a spokesperson for Hallmark who said that "a second channel from Hallmark will not be launching 'anytime soon'".<ref name="media2006"/> Movies 24 was launched instead.

==Former logos== <gallery> Hallmark Channel.svg|Hallmark Channel logo (2001–2010) Universal channel.svg|Universal Channel logo (2010–2013) Logo Universal Channel.svg|Universal Channel logo (2013–2018) </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.universaltv.co.uk}}

Category:Universal Networks International Category:Defunct television channels in the United Kingdom Category:Television channels and stations established in 1999 Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2020 Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:2020 disestablishments in the United Kingdom