Universal TV (Australian TV channel)

Universal TV (formerly Hallmark Channel and Universal Channel) is an Australian cable and satellite television channel, owned and operated by NBCUniversal International Networks. It has been available on most subscription television platforms in Australia since 1998.^[1]

Universal TV

Logo used since 2018
Country	Australia
Broadcast area	Australia
Programming
Language(s)	English
Picture format	576i (SDTV 16:9) 1080i (HDTV 16:9)
Ownership
Owner	NBCUniversal International Networks
Sister channels	CNBC Australia
History
Launched	1998 (Australia)
Former names	Hallmark Channel (1998-2010) Universal Channel (prior to June 2018)
Links
Website	universaltv.com.au/
Availability
Streaming media
Foxtel Go	Channel 114
Fetch Mobi	Channel 102
Binge	binge.com.au

History

 

Hallmark Channel logo (1998–2010)

 

Universal Channel logo used from 1 July 2010 till 31 December 2013

 

Universal Channel logo used from 2013 to 2018

The channel was added to Austar in April 1999.^[2]

On 1 July 2010 the Hallmark Channel rebranded as the Universal Channel.^[3] This rebrand saw the slogan In every life there is drama replaced with Characters Welcome as well as the channel converting from 4:3 aspect ratio to 16:9 widescreen picture format. It brought the introduction of new series, including two Australian premiere series, as well as returning to first seasons of almost all programs already aired.^{[citation needed]}

On 1 February 2015, Universal Channel launched on Australian IPTV service Fetch TV.^[4][5]

2014 channel rebranding

On 1 January 2014 the Universal Channel rebranded itself alongside other transformations to the Foxtel platform. Among the changes under the rebrand included the channel aligning itself with the international logo and slogan 100% Characters, launching Australian premiere series The Michael J. Fox Show, The Night Shift and the US adaptation of Rake and inherited series from the closure of TV1 including 30 Rock, Covert Affairs, Suits, Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: CI.^[6] In addition to the closure of TV1, this influx of programming was attributed to the end of the output agreement between NBCUniversal and Seven Network in mid 2013, allowing for more programming opportunities for Universal Channel.^[7][8]

Additionally, Universal Channel moved to the basic tier of the Foxtel platform, as opposed to its previous placement in a premium package, allowing all subscribers to access the channel. Also, a two-hour timeshift channel launched on channel 162.^[6][9]

As for the films broadcast on the channel, the channel not only airs films from Universal Pictures, but also airs films from other distributors such as Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Miramax Films.^{[citation needed]}

Universal Channel HD

On 3 November 2014, Universal Channel launched a HD simulcast on Foxtel. In addition, it moved from channel 116 to channel 112 and Universal Channel + 2 moved from channel 162 to channel 155.^[10]

On 1 June 2018, Universal Channel became Universal TV.

Programming

Universal TV currently airs a variety of international programs, including:

• 30 Rock
• Brothers & Sisters
• Castle
• Chicago P.D.
• Covert Affairs
• Gracepoint
• Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files
• Flashpoint
• Harry's Law
• Hawthorne
• House
• Justice
• Legend Quest
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• Law & Order: UK (seasons 4 and 5 only,^[11][12] seasons 1–3 shown on 13th Street)
• The Librarians^[13]
• Life
• Lipstick Jungle
• Mercy
• The Michael J. Fox Show
• Monroe
• My Boys
• The Night Shift
• Parenthood
• Perception
• Private Practice
• Psych
• Rake
• Rookie Blue
• Single Father
• Strange
• The Starter Wife
• Suits
• White Heat

Former Programming

Prior to the 2014 format, The channel aired content from the original American Hallmark Channel, selected telemovies from America and the UK, along with classic and contemporary Australian drama series from Southern Star Entertainment.^[14]

A list of Australian produced shows broadcast on Universal TV prior to the 2014 format include:

• A Country Practice
• All Saints (moved to 111^[15])
• Always Greener
• Blue Heelers
• City Homicide
• The Librarians
• McLeod's Daughters
• Offspring
• Packed to the Rafters (moved to 111^[16])
• Police Rescue
• Rake
• Rescue: Special Ops
• Rush
• SeaChange
• Sea Patrol
• Stingers
• The Secret Life of Us
• Water Rats

Availability

Universal TV is part of most satellite and cablepay television providers in Australia, usually included in an extra or add-on package. Providers include Foxtel, Austar,^[2] Optus TV and Neighbourhood Cable.

Ratings

Universal TV's ratings have increased from a 0.3% share in April 2007, to a 0.5% share in January 2010 (before the channel's re-branding). This is an 0.2% increase in almost 3 years.^[17][18]

See also

• Universal Channel
• Universal TV (New Zealand)
• 13th Street
• Hallmark Channel (International)
• Universal Networks International

External links

• Universal TV website (Australia)

References

1. . Hallmark Channel Australia. Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
2. Joyce, James (26 March 1999). . Newcastle Herald. p. 6. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
3. Knox, David (28 May 2010). "Hallmark switch to Universal Channel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
4. Knox, David (9 December 2014). "Fetch TV adds BBC First". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
5. Perry, Kevin (9 December 2014). "Big Blow for Foxtel as they Lose Exclusive Rights for Premium Drama Channel BBC First". Nelbie. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
6. Knox, David (17 October 2013). "Universal Channel rebrands from January 1st". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
7. Bodey, Michael (1 July 2013). "Millions to be saved as Seven ditches output deals in bid to 'cherry-pick' hits". The Australian. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
8. Groves, Don (17 October 2013). "Foxtel preps entertainment net". C21. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
9. . Foxtel. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
10. Knox, David (3 November 2014). "BoxSets, Discovery Kids launch on Foxtel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
11. Law & Order: UK – Season 4. Australia: YouTube. 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
12. Knox, David (16 April 2014). "Returning: Law and Order: UK". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
13. Knox, David (1 December 2014). "Airdate: The Librarians". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
14. . Archived from the original on 3 June 2008., Hallmark Channel details
15. "All Saints". 111. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
16. "tvhitsprogchanges" (PDF). Foxtel. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
17. (PDF). Oztam. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
18. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)