Universal TV (Australian TV channel)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Hallmark Channel (Australia) |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Owner | NBCUniversal International Networks |
Universal TV—previously known as Hallmark Channel and later Universal Channel—is an Australian subscription television network operated by NBCUniversal International Networks. Since 1998, it has been accessible across the majority of Australia's pay TV services.
History
The channel was incorporated into the Austar lineup in April 1999.
On 1 July 2010, the Hallmark Channel underwent a rebranding to become the Universal Channel. Alongside adopting the tagline Characters Welcome, the broadcast format transitioned from 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen. This transformation brought new series debuts, including two Australian first-run shows, and reintroduced initial seasons of existing titles.
Universal Channel expanded its availability on 1 February 2015 by launching on the Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV.
2014 channel rebranding
Coinciding with updates on the Foxtel platform on 1 January 2014, Universal Channel refreshed its brand identity by adopting the global logo and the slogan 100% Characters. The channel premiered Australian broadcasts of series such as The Michael J. Fox Show, The Night Shift, and the U.S. remake of Rake. Additionally, it absorbed programming from the defunct TV1, acquiring shows including 30 Rock, Covert Affairs, Suits, along with both Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. This influx followed NBCUniversal's termination of its content agreement with Seven Network in mid-2013, thereby opening further programming possibilities for Universal Channel.
Shifting from a premium offering to Foxtel's basic package, Universal Channel increased its reach among subscribers. A two-hour time-shifted version was launched on channel 162.
The channel's movie lineup features films from Universal Pictures, supplemented by titles distributed through companies such as Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Miramax Films.
Universal Channel HD
On 3 November 2014, an HD simulcast of Universal Channel debuted on Foxtel, moving its position from channel 116 to 112; concurrently, its +2 time-shift service relocated from channel 162 to 155.
From 14 February 2017, Fetch TV subscribers gained access to Universal Channel HD.
On 1 June 2018, the channel underwent another rebranding, adopting the name Universal TV.
Programming
Universal TV broadcasts a wide selection of international television series, encompassing diverse genres and formats.
Former programming
Prior to its strategic shift in 2014, Universal TV showcased programming sourced from the original American Hallmark Channel, alongside select telemovies from the U.S. and U.K., as well as both classic and modern Australian drama productions from Southern Star Entertainment.
Previously featured Australian titles include:
- A Country Practice
- All Saints (later transitioned to 111)
- Always Greener
- Blue Heelers
- City Homicide
- The Librarians
- McLeod's Daughters
- Offspring
- Packed to the Rafters (moved subsequently to 111)
- Police Rescue
- Rake
- Rescue: Special Ops
- Rush
- SeaChange
- Sea Patrol
- Stingers
- 'The Secret Life of Us'
- 'Water Rats'
Availability
In Australia, Universal TV is accessible through the majority of satellite and cable pay-TV services, often featured within supplementary channel bundles. Prominent distributors include Foxtel, Fetch TV, and Optus TV.
Ratings
Between April 2007 and January 2010, Universal TV's market share expanded from 0.3% to 0.5%, indicating a 0.2% rise in audience proportion during the nearly three years preceding the channel’s rebranding.
See also
- Universal Channel
- Universal TV (New Zealand)
- 13th Street
- Hallmark Channel (International)
- Universal Networks International