NBCUniversal International Networks


NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer, formerly NBC Universal Global Networks, Universal Networks International and NBCUniversal International Networks, is the international networks division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of 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 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 division 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 acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast NBCUniversal and Comcast in 2011, the following channels are also operated and distributed by NBCUniversal:
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, which was later dissolved in 2021.

Channels

Americas

  • Canada
  • *E!
  • *Bravo
  • *USA Network
  • *Oxygen
  • Latin America
  • *Universal TV
  • *Universal+
  • **Universal Premiere
  • **Universal Cinema
  • **Universal Comedy
  • **Universal Crime
  • **Universal Reality
  • *Studio Universal
  • *USA
  • *E!
  • *Telemundo Internacional
  • *DreamWorks Channel
  • *CNBC International Latin America
  • NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer Brasil
  • **Universal TV Brazil
  • **Universal+ Brazil
  • **Studio Universal Brazil
  • **USA Brazil
  • **DreamWorks Channel Brazil
  • **CNBC Brazil

    Asia-Pacific

  • Japan
  • * Nikkei CNBC
  • * Sky News
  • South Korea
  • * DreamWorks Channel
  • * Sky News
  • Southeast Asia
  • *CNBC Asia
  • *CNBC Indonesia
  • *JKN-CNBC
  • *Golf Channel
  • *DreamWorks Channel
  • *Sky News
  • *Telemundo
  • *Former:
  • **Diva
  • **E!
  • **Euronews
  • **KidsCo Asia
  • **Style Network
  • **SYFY Asia
  • **Universal Channel Asia
  • South Asia
  • *CNBC-TV18
  • *CNBC Awaaz
  • * CNBC Prime
  • * CNBC Bajar
  • *Golf Channel
  • *Sky News
  • *Former:
  • ** CNBC Pakistan
  • **Euronews
  • **E!
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • *7Bravo
  • * Bravo
  • * CNBC
  • *MSNBC International
  • * Universal TV
  • **Australia
  • **New Zealand
  • * DreamWorks Channel
  • * Oxygen
  • Former:
  • * E!
  • * TV1
  • * Euronews
  • * KidsCo
  • * 13th Street
  • *Style Network
  • *SYFY

    Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)

  • 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
Former:
Former:
  • Studio Universal
  • Steel
  • Syfy
  • Diva Universal

    Netherlands

  • DreamWorks Channel
Former:
Former:
  • Movies 24
  • Universal Channel

    Romania

  • Diva
  • E!
Former:
Former:
On the January 26, 2009, Sci Fi became the first of the NBC Universal Global Network channels to begin broadcasting in High Definition within the UK. It will provide a simulcast of the Sci Fi Channel exclusively on Sky+HD channel 214 and will air UK HD premieres such as Eli Stone and Flash Gordon.

Video on demand

NBCUniversal International introduced Hayu in March 2016 in the United Kingdom. The subscription video on demand service offers reality programs such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Real Housewives.