Universal Television

Universal Television LLC

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Television production
Predecessor	Revue Studios, NBC Studios, Studios USA Television, PolyGram Television, USA Cable Entertainment, MCA Television Entertainment
Founded	2004
Headquarters	United States
Area served	United States
Parent	Universal Studio Group (NBCUniversal, Comcast)

Universal Television LLC (abbreviated as UTV), previously known as NBC Universal Television Studio and later as Universal Media Studios, is a United States-based television production company established in 2004. Serving as the television production division of Universal Pictures, it emerged as the successor to entities such as Revue Studios, NBC Studios, Studios USA Television, PolyGram Television, USA Cable Entertainment, and MCA Television Entertainment. The studio originally operated under the name NBC Universal Television Studio, representing a rebranding of the original Universal Television.

Operating within the structure of the Universal Studio Group, itself a subsidiary of NBCUniversal and ultimately owned by Comcast, this company functions as the main producer of network television content for NBC. Its output plays a crucial role in NBC’s programming schedule.

Since 2009, certain shows have been registered under the copyright name Open 4 Business Productions. The firm adopted the title Universal Media Studios in 2007 before transitioning to its current designation on September 12, 2011.

Revue Studios

Revue Studios, initially established as Revue Productions Inc., was created in 1943 by MCA to produce live radio broadcasts and USO programs during World War II. It was reestablished in 1950 as MCA’s television production branch, beginning a partnership with NBC marked by the airing of Stars Over Hollywood that same year.

Revue was responsible for producing a variety of significant television series, including Leave It to Beaver, which aired on CBS and subsequently ABC from 1957 until 1963. Its portfolio also included titles such as Biff Baker, U.S.A., Rod Cameron’s syndicated show City Detective, along with State Trooper, Coronado 9, and westerns like The Adventures of Kit Carson and Bachelor Father. The studio also created crime dramas including Johnny Midnight and Brian Keith’s Crusader. Expanding into sitcoms, Revue produced McHale's Navy which ran from 1962 to 1966.

In 1958, MCA/Revue purchased Universal Studios’ 367-acre backlot, renaming it Revue Studios in 1959 while leasing it back to Universal. This acquisition facilitated Revue’s growth in television production capacity. A unique jingle introduced in 1960 continued to be associated with the studio’s identity well into the 1980s.

Revue further augmented its lineup by producing later seasons of The Jack Benny Program for CBS and NBC, alongside collaborative projects such as Checkmate, General Electric Theater, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. It also developed western series like Tales of Wells Fargo, The Tall Man, and Laramie for NBC, in addition to the highly popular Wagon Train, which achieved top ratings during its broadcast tenure.

After MCA merged with Decca Records in 1962, the backlot’s name reverted to Universal. In 1963, MCA unified its film and television divisions by creating Universal City Studios through merging Universal Pictures with Revue Studios, which was subsequently renamed Universal Television.

Universal Television (initial phase)

In 1962, MCA purchased Decca Records, which included Universal-International Pictures, later merged into Universal Pictures. The following year, Revue Studios was renamed as the original Universal Television, marking the company's foray into television production. Uni TV was a trailblazer in various TV formats, producing the first television film (See How They Run, 1964), pioneering the wheel series format with The Name of the Game (1968), and introducing the first two-part TV movie with Vanished (1971). It also collaborated with Jack Webb's Mark VII Limited on notable series such as Emergency!, Adam-12, and a revival of Dragnet.

Grant Tinker joined Universal Television in 1967 as an industry executive but departed in 1969 to found MTM Enterprises. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Uni TV was responsible for influential series including Baretta, The Rockford Files, Murder, She Wrote, Miami Vice, The Equalizer, The Incredible Hulk, Battlestar Galactica, Knight Rider, and Magnum, P.I., many of which received critical praise and led to TV movie adaptations.

By 1980, Universal Television had secured production agreements with notable producers like Bud Austin and writer/producer Dick Wolf. Their partnership commenced with Miami Vice in 1986 and culminated in the successful launch of the Law & Order franchise in 1990. In 1987, Universal committed to producing six pilots and three series for the upcoming season, focusing on development contracts with established talent.

Leadership transitions included Tom Thayer's appointment as president in 1991 and Steven J. Papazian's arrival as vice president of production in 1993. The early 1990s saw an expansion of Universal’s talent roster through deals with Ivan Reitman, David Burke, John Leekley, among others. Additionally, Universal partnered with ABC in 1994 to co-finance the series Blue Skies.

Following MCA's acquisition by Joseph A. Seagram & Sons in 1996, the company rebranded as Universal Studios. Expansion continued through acquisitions such as Multimedia Entertainment and USA Network. That year also saw Universal co-develop ABC’s series Spy Game alongside Warner Bros., although it lasted only one season. Universal purchased a 50% stake in Brillstein-Grey Entertainment for $75–$100 million, acquiring distribution rights for new BGE productions but not for older shows under Columbia TriStar’s arrangement. This stake was sold in 1999; however, Universal maintained co-production on select series until their completion.

EMKA, Ltd., a subsidiary under Universal Television, administers the majority of Paramount Pictures' pre-1950 sound film library as part of Universal Pictures' television holdings.

MCA Television Entertainment

MCA Television Entertainment (MTE) was established in 1989 as Universal Television’s division dedicated to telemovies and cable programming. It specialized in producing made-for-TV films and cable series such as HBO’s Dream On. MTE also developed first-run syndication content for the Hollywood Premiere Network, distributed through MCA TV and local stations including KCOP-TV and WWOR-TV. Among its notable productions were series like They Came from Outer Space, Shades of L.A., and She-Wolf of London, though the network operated for only one season (1990–1991).

In 1990, key leadership appointments included Michael Landsbury as vice president of series programming, Angela Mancuso as vice president of production, and Michael Houbrick as assistant director of publicity. Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment served as a principal content provider for MTE.

Reflecting MCA's transition to Universal Studios in 1996, MTE was renamed Universal Television Entertainment (UTE). Later rebranded as Studios USA Pictures in 1998, it merged into USA Cable Entertainment by 1999. MCA Television Entertainment functioned as an umbrella brand for MCA-owned divisions, incorporating Universal Family Entertainment and Universal Cartoon Studios beginning in 1996.

Studios USA Television

Established by Barry Diller in 1998 following the acquisition of Universal's primary television assets, USA Networks Inc. encompassed cable channels such as USA Network and Sci-Fi Network, along with series including Law & Order. The company’s portfolio also featured HSN, Ticketmaster Group, and various television stations. Universal Television’s production and distribution division was rebranded as Studios USA under USA Networks, with Universal maintaining a 45% ownership stake. Greg Meidel briefly held the roles of chairman and CEO before his departure in mid-1998.

In 1999, USA Networks broadened its film and home entertainment operations by purchasing October Films and key properties from PolyGram Filmed Entertainment for $200 million. Although many Studios USA shows were canceled after one or two seasons, notable successes included Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which continues to air, alongside Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The District.

The year 2000 saw screenwriter Clyde Phillips enter into an overall agreement to develop projects for Studios USA, underscoring the company’s commitment to original content creation.

On December 17, 2001, Vivendi Universal agreed to acquire USA Networks’ entertainment assets for about $10.3 billion, with the transaction completing in May 2002. Barry Diller assumed the position of chairman at Vivendi Universal Entertainment. Following this acquisition, Studios USA Television merged with Universal Studios Network Television to form Universal Network Television, streamlining production under Vivendi’s corporate umbrella. USA Networks subsequently transformed into IAC.

PolyGram Television/Universal Network Television

PolyGram established a network division in 1997 dedicated to producing long-form television movies and drama series by rebranding its UK-based ITC Entertainment unit. Bob Sanitsky managed both syndication and network operations. In 1998, PolyGram entered into a development agreement with Meg Ryan’s Prufock Pictures.

Following Seagram and Universal’s acquisition of PolyGram in early 1999, PolyGram Television was absorbed into Universal’s TV and Networks division. Universal divested the ITC film and television library to Carlton Communications and sold the pre-1996 film catalog to MGM. Bob Sanitsky exited as PolyGram Television was retained within Universal. Subsequently, Universal Studios Network Programming was created to oversee productions from Brillstein-Grey such as Work with Me, Just Shoot Me!, and The Steve Harvey Show. NBC extended the run of Just Shoot Me! through 2003 under an option agreement with Universal.

In June 2002, a merger combined Universal Studios Network Television with Studios USA Network Television. In 2003, writer John Ridley signed a development deal with the studio. That same year, executives Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly left Universal to launch 25C Productions in partnership with Warner Bros. Television.

USA Cable Entertainment

Founded in the 1980s as USA Network Productions to supply content for USA Networks, the company underwent several rebrandings before adopting the name USA Cable Entertainment in 1999. Stephen Chao was appointed president in 2000. Among its prominent productions are the TV series Monk and the 2003 miniseries Battlestar Galactica, which paved the way for a successful reboot in 2004. Following the 2004 merger that formed NBC Universal, the USA Cable Entertainment brand was retired and absorbed into NBC Universal Television Studio. In 2008, its cable production segment was spun off as Universal Cable Productions (currently known as Universal Content Productions).

NBC Studios (production company)

Established in 1947 by RCA, NBC's internal production division initially operated under the name NBC Television Network. Among its early projects was Howdy Doody. In 1955, the company acquired Kagran Corporation and rebranded it as California National Productions to manage syndication and merchandising efforts. Its breakthrough success came with Bonanza (1959–1973). By 1963, NBC launched NBC Productions to focus on creating new series such as Kentucky Jones and The High Chaparral.

Following the implementation of fin-syn regulations in the early 1970s, NBC sold off its syndication division but maintained production of popular shows including Little House on the Prairie. The 1980s brought an emphasis on television films and miniseries, with varied outcomes in series development. The company also entered strategic collaborations with industry figures like Michael Filerman and producer Peter Engel, which resulted in programming aimed at teenage audiences.

During the 1990s, NBC Productions secured development deals with Quincy Jones Entertainment and Jay Tarses. The sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air signified a resurgence in successful programming. Partnerships with Group W Productions and Viacom Enterprises expanded the company's syndicated content portfolio. In 1995, NBC joined forces with James Burrows to establish 3 Sisters Entertainment, responsible for hits such as Will & Grace. Later that year, NBC Productions was incorporated into NBC's broader entertainment division.

In 1996, the division was renamed NBC Studios and produced acclaimed series including The Pretender, Profiler, and Crossing Jordan. The following year, NBC Studios co-founded SNL Studios alongside Paramount Pictures and Lorne Michaels to oversee production related to Saturday Night Live.

By 2004, NBC Studios merged with Universal Network Television, forming NBC Universal Television Studio. Distribution rights for NBC shows produced before 1973 are primarily managed by Paramount Global's CBS Media Ventures through Spelling Television, whereas programs created after 1973 are distributed domestically by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and internationally by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

2004–present

The formation of NBC Universal Television Studio in 2004 resulted from merging NBC Studios with Universal Network Television. On June 14, 2007, the entity was renamed Universal Media Studios (UMS) to better represent its expansion into digital media platforms. Subsequently, on September 12, 2011, it adopted the Universal Television name accompanied by a refreshed logo to align with shifting market trends.

On July 21, 2009, Universal Cable Productions was spun off from UMS and integrated into the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group division. In October 2019, Universal Television transitioned from being part of NBC Entertainment to joining NBCUniversal Content Studios as part of a strategic reorganization designed to centralize content production under unified management.

Universal Television Alternative Studio

Universal Television Alternative Studio (marketed as Universal Television Alternative) is a division of American television production initiated by Universal Television in 2016. It functions under the leadership of Universal Studio Group chairman Pearlena Igbokwe.

Established in June 2016 with Meredith Ahr as president, the studio’s inaugural show, World of Dance, was revealed by NBC in July 2016. The studio broadened its reach by distributing programs to various networks, such as selling In Search Of... to the History channel.

In 2018, the studio strengthened its content lineup by signing first-look and overall agreements with notable talents including Chelsea Handler and Eddie Schmidt. Meredith Ahr advanced to become president of NBC Entertainment’s alternative and reality division in November 2018. She was succeeded by Toby Gorman as studio president in August 2019; Gorman brought prior experience as interim CEO of Magical Elves. Additionally, Georgie Hurford-Jones joined as executive vice president of current programming in December 2019, coming from Endemol Shine North America.

In July 2019, Mario Lopez moved from hosting Extra to NBCUniversal’s Access Hollywood, entering into a production agreement with both Universal Television and Universal Television Alternative Studio. Through this collaboration, Lopez developed the competition series Menudo, inspired by the Latin boy band, which was announced in April 2020.

This unit’s strategic approach centers on increasing its footprint in unscripted programming through targeted talent collaborations and a varied slate of shows, thereby supporting NBCUniversal’s extensive alternative entertainment offerings.