Universal Television

Television production company

For the pay television channel, see Universal TV (British and Irish TV channel).

This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. You can help. The talk page may contain suggestions. (November 2024)

|

Universal Television LLC

Logo used since 2011

Formerly|

* Revue Studios (1943–1963)
* Universal Pictures Television Department (1956–1964)
* Universal-International Television (1957–1963)
* Studios USA Television LLC (1998–2002)
* Universal Studios Network Programming (1999–2003)
* Universal Network Television (a.k.a. Universal Domestic Television) (2002–2004)
* NBC Universal Television Studio (2004–2007)
* Universal Media Studios (2007–2011)

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Television production
Predecessors|

* Revue Studios
* Universal Television (original iteration)
* NBC Studios
* Studios USA Television/USA Cable Entertainment
* ITC Entertainment/PolyGram Television
* MCA Television Entertainment

Founded| 1943; 81 years ago (1943) (as Revue Studios)
1956; 68 years ago (1956) (as original incarnation)
2004; 20 years ago (2004) (current incarnation)
Headquarters|

Universal City, California

U.S.

Key people

| Erin Underhill (president)
Parent| MCA Inc. (1943–1996)
Universal Studios, Inc. (1996–2004)
NBCUniversal (2004–2019)
Universal Studio Group (2019–present)
Divisions| EMKA, Ltd.
Open 4 Business Productions
Website| Official website

Universal Television LLC (abbreviated as UTV) is an American television production company that is a subsidiary of Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast. It serves as the network television production arm of NBC; a predecessor of the company, NBC Studios, previously assumed such functions, and a substantial portion of the company's shows air on the network.

It was formerly known by various names, including Revue Studios, Universal Pictures Television Department, Universal-International Television, Studios USA Television LLC, Universal Studios Network Programming, Universal Network Television, Universal Domestic Television, NBC Universal Television Studio, and Universal Media Studios. It is also known as Open 4 Business Productions in copyright in certain television series produced by them since 2009. Re-established in 2004, both NBC Studios and the original Universal Television are predecessors of the current Universal Television, formerly known as NBC Universal Television Studio and Universal Media Studios.

Evolution of Comcast NBCUniversal 1912| Universal Pictures is founded

|

1926| NBC is founded
1928| Walter Lantz Productions is established
1943| MCA Inc. establishes Revue Studios (later Universal Television)
1953| NBC begins first compatible color broadcasts, preceding other networks by nine years
1956| NBC's first peacock logo debuts
1963| American Cable Systems is founded
1964| Universal Studios Hollywood opens
1967| NBC broadcasts the first Super Bowl
1968| American Cable Systems rebrands to Comcast
1972| Comcast began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
1975| Universal releases Jaws
Filmworks is founded
1976| Filmworks becomes Casablanca Record & Filmworks
1980| PolyGram renames Casablanca Record & Filmworks to PolyGram Pictures
MCA Videocassette‚ Inc. (later Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) is established
1982| Universal releases E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1983| PolyGram Pictures closes
1984| Walter Lantz Productions' assets are sold to Universal
Telemundo is founded
1985| Universal releases Back to the Future
1986| General Electric re-purchases its former subsidiary RCA for $6.4 billion, including NBC and a stake in A&E
1987| PolyGram Movies is founded
1989| NBC relaunches Tempo Television as CNBC
1990| Universal Studios Florida opens
Law & Order premieres on NBC
PolyGram Movies is renamed PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting merge to form British Sky Broadcasting
Universal Cartoon Studios (later Universal Animation Studios) is established
1993| Universal releases Jurassic Park
1994-1997| DreamWorks Animation is founded
Seagram acquires Universal through it's acquisition of MCA
NBC and Microsoft replace America's Talking with MSNBC
Barry Diller purchases Universal's domestic television assets
1998| Seagram acquires PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Universal Television is renamed Studios USA Television
1999| PolyGram Filmed Entertainment is folded into Universal Pictures
Universal Studios Florida expands to become Universal Orlando Resort
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premieres on NBC
2000| Seagram is sold to Vivendi and merged with StudioCanal to become Vivendi Universal Entertainment
2001| Grand opening of Universal Studios Japan
Universal releases The Fast and the Furious
Vivendi purchases Studios USA
2002| NBC acquires Telemundo and Bravo
Studios USA assets are folded into Universal
Focus Features is formed
Comcast acquires AT&T Broadband for $44.5 billion
2003| Universal becomes the first studio with five summer releases breaking the $100 million mark
2004| GE and Vivendi merge NBC and Universal into NBCUniversal
2005| The Office premieres on NBC
Comcast sets up a joint-venture with PBS, Sesame Workshop & HIT Entertainment to form PBS Kids Sprout
Comcast & Time Warner Cable jointly acquire Adelphia Cable assets for $17.6 billion
2006| USA Network begins 13-year streak as #1 cable network in total viewers
2007| Illumination is founded
2010| Universal releases Illumination's first film Despicable Me
2011| Vivendi divested in NBCU; Comcast buys 51% of NBCU from GE, turning it into a limited liability company
NBCUniversal Archives is founded
2012| Universal celebrates its 100th anniversary
NBCUniversal divests its A&E Networks minority stake
2013| Comcast buys GE's remaining 49% of NBCU
Comcast/NBCU assumes full ownership of Sprout
2014| Comcast attempts to acquire Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion
NBCUniversal reaches a new long-term deal with WWE
2016| NBCU acquires DreamWorks Animation
2017| Sprout relaunches as Universal Kids
2018| Comcast acquires Sky after a heated bidding war with 21st Century Fox
2019| NBCU acquires Cineo Lighting
2020| NBCU launches Peacock
DreamWorks’s Trolls World Tour is releasing on Video on Demand
2021| Grand opening of Universal Beijing Resort
2023| The Super Mario Bros. Movie becomes Illumination's highest-grossing film

* v
* t
* e

## History

[edit]

### Revue Studios

[edit]

Revue Productions
Revue Studios

Founded| 1943
Founder| Music Corporation of America
Defunct| 1963
Fate| Renamed to Universal Studios
Successor| Universal Television
Owner| MCA Inc.
Parent| MCA TV

Revue Productions (later known as Revue Studios) was founded in 1943 by MCA Inc. to produce live radio shows and also produced "Stage Door Canteen" live events for the United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II. Revue was re-launched as MCA's television production subsidiary in 1950. The partnership of NBC and Revue extends as far back as September 6, 1950, with the television broadcast of Armour Theatre, based on radio's Stars Over Hollywood.

MCA bought the Universal Studios backlot in 1958 and renamed it Revue Studios. Following its merger with Decca Records, the then-parent of Universal Pictures, the studio backlot name was changed back to Universal. In 1963, MCA formed Universal City Studios to merge the motion picture and television arms of Universal Pictures and Revue Studios, and Revue was officially renamed Universal Television in 1963.

During the early years of television, Revue was responsible for producing and distributing many television programs. These included Leave It to Beaver, which ran for only one season on CBS before going to ABC from 1958 until 1963. In addition, Revue also made Alan Hale Jr.'s Biff Baker, U.S.A. (1952–1953) and all three of Rod Cameron's syndicated series, City Detective (1953–1955), State Trooper (1956–1959), and Coronado 9 (1960–1961) and the Bill Williams Western series, The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951–1955). It produced Bachelor Father (1957–1962), for "Bachelor Productions", Edmond O'Brien's syndicated crime film Johnny Midnight, based on a fictitious New York City actor-turned-private investigator.

Another of its offerings was the 52-episode Crusader, the first Brian Keith series, on CBS from 1955–1956. Another western produced by Revue and starring Audie Murphy was Whispering Smith (NBC, 1959/61), based on the 1948 Alan Ladd movie of the same name. Leave It to Beaver was produced first by George Gobel's Gomalco Productions, then by Kayro Productions on a back lot at Revue Studios from 1958 to 1963. McHale's Navy was also produced by Revue from 1962 to 1966.

In December 1958, MCA/Revue purchased Universal Studios' 367-acre backlot to produce television series, then leased it back to Universal for a million dollars a year for a decade.[1]

Revue produced later seasons of The Jack Benny Program for CBS and NBC and in co-operation with Jack Benny's J and M productions Checkmate, General Electric Theater and Alfred Hitchcock Presents for CBS, Studio 57 for DuMont Television Network, and westerns such as Tales of Wells Fargo, The Restless Gun and Laramie for NBC, as well as Wagon Train for NBC and ABC. The first two seasons of NBC's The Virginian, based on a film released originally by Paramount Pictures, whose pre-1950 theatrical sound feature film library was sold to MCA in 1958. Wagon Train was the only Revue-produced TV show ever to finish an American television season in first place.

### Universal Television (original iteration)

[edit]

Universal Television

Formerly| Universal Studios (1963-1972)
Predecessor| Revue Studios
Founded| 1963
Defunct| 1998
Fate| Renamed to Studios USA Television
Successor| Studios USA Television
Owner| MCA (1963-1997)
Barry Diller (1997-1998)
Parent| Universal Pictures

In 1962, MCA Inc. acquired Decca Records, including the film studio Universal-International Pictures (later renamed as Universal Pictures). The following year, in 1963, Revue Studios was reincorporated as the original iteration of Universal Television. [2] Since then, they have made many contributions to television programming, including the production of the first television film (See How They Run from 1964), the first wheel series (The Name of the Game from 1968), the first rotating series with an umbrella title (1969's The Bold Ones) and the first two-part television movie (Vanished from 1971). Uni TV (also commonly known as MCA/Universal) also co-produced many shows with Jack Webb's Mark VII Limited, such as Emergency!, Adam-12 and a revival of the 1951 series Dragnet.

In 1967, Grant Tinker, formerly employee of NBC was hired to join the studio. He held the position for two years, until he left in 1969 to join 20th Century-Fox Television, and later that year, had to start MTM Enterprises. He subsequently left Fox in 1971 due to conflicts with running MTM.[3][4][5]

During the 1970s and 1980s, Uni TV produced shows such as Baretta, The Rockford Files, Murder, She Wrote, Miami Vice, The Equalizer, The Incredible Hulk, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Simon & Simon and Magnum, P.I., many of which received critical acclaim and several TV movie spin-offs after their cancellations.

In 1980, Bud Austin has received a production contract with Universal Television to produce television series.[6] One of the more notable contracts was writer/producer Dick Wolf, whose Universal association began in 1986 with Miami Vice, then writing for several more shows before creating the hit Law & Order franchise.[7] In 1987, Universal Television, which by then, was the leading producers in prime time television programming, decided to have six pilots committed for network production value, plus three series for the 1987–88 season, which included development deals with people who already contracted with Universal.[8]

In 1990, MCA/Uni TV began the Law & Order franchise. In 1991, Tom Thayer was named president of the Universal Television arm.[9] In 1993, former Warner Bros. Television senior vice president of production employee Steven J. Papazian joined Universal Television as vice president of production.[10] In 1992, Universal Television signed a deal with several newer talent, plus some returning and existing talent that were offered at the studio, including Ivan Reitman, David Burke, John Leekley and R.J. Stewart.[11] In 1993, St. Clare Entertainment, a company owned by John Landis had reupped its contract at both MCA TV, MTE and Universal Television, three of the encompassing TV units of MCA via the MCA TV Group.[12] In 1994, Universal Television made a financing partnership with ABC to help them fund the show Blue Skies.[13]

In 1996, MCA was reincorporated as Universal Studios. Around the same time, Universal was acquired by Joseph A. Seagram and Sons and later acquired the Multimedia Entertainment and USA Network.[14][15] Also that year, Universal Television collaborated with Warner Bros. Television to develop the series Spy Game for ABC, with Universal alumnus Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert of Renaissance Pictures, and Warner alumnus John McNamara producing the series, but it didn't last long, as it only lasted one season on the air.[16]

Universal purchased a 50% stake of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment in 1996 for $75 to $100 million, and included distribution rights to then-new BGE programming such as Alright Already, and does not include older BGE programs that was grandfathered by the Columbia TriStar distribution agreement, such as The Larry Sanders Show for HBO, NewsRadio and Just Shoot Me! for NBC, and The Steve Harvey Show for The WB.[17] They considered buying the other 50% after selling its own TV unit to Barry Diller in 1998.[18] Universal sold its stake in BGE in 1999 and BGE was renamed as Brad Grey Television, though Universal continued to co-produce Just Shoot Me! and The Steve Harvey Show until their cancellations.[19]

EMKA, Ltd. is the holding company responsible for a majority of the pre-1950 Paramount Pictures sound library. As an official part of the Universal Pictures library, they are part of the company's television unit, Universal Television.

### MCA Television Entertainment

[edit]

During the 1970s and 1980s, MCA TV, the syndication company, had a production shop that produced shows like Probe, which aired on ABC.

MCA Television Entertainment (or MTE for short) was founded in 1989 as the telemovie and cable division of Universal Television. It primarily dealt with made-for-TV movies, and television shows like Dream On that were made for cable networks like HBO. It was also a producer of first-run syndication programming for the Hollywood Premiere Network, which was distributed by MCA's own syndication arm MCA TV, as well as KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and WWOR-TV in New York, such as They Came from Outer Space, Shades of L.A. and She-Wolf of London, but it only lasted one season from 1990 to 1991, but it didn't last long.[20]

In 1990, Michael Landsbury was named vice president of series programs, Angela Mancuso as vice president of production, and Michael Houbrick was named assistant director of publicity, at the studio.[21]

One of the most notable clients of MTE was Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment, who produced a bulk of these television movies and series for the studio.[22]

In 1996, it was renamed as Universal Television Entertainment (or UTE for short) to align with MCA's rebranding as Universal Studios. It was eventually renamed to Studios USA Pictures in 1998, and merged into USA Cable Entertainment in 1999.[23] MCA Television Entertainment was also a collective branding for their units owned and operated by MCA, and it absorbed Universal Family Entertainment and Universal Cartoon Studios in 1996.[24]

### Studios USA Television

[edit]

USA Networks Inc. was founded by Barry Diller when he bought Universal's major television assets in October 1997.[25] Among its assets were the USA Network and Sci-Fi Network cable channels along with series such as Law & Order. Additionally, the company would own the HSN, the Ticketmaster Group and several television stations.[25] Universal Television's production and distribution unit was renamed Studios USA. Universal held on to its 50% share of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, PolyGram's international channels and the rights to its television library while signing a long-term domestic sales deal with Studios USA for the library. Universal got a 45% share in USA Networks Inc. Greg Meidel initially resigned and was rehired as chairman and CEO of Studios USA, only to leave in June 1998.[26]

In 1999, USA Networks formed its own film and home media divisions when they acquired October Films and several production and distribution assets of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment for $200 million.[27] Most of the new shows produced under the Studios USA name bombed after only one or two seasons; only Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The District were deemed to be big hits. Although the latter two were cancelled, in 2011 and 2004 respectively, the former is still an ongoing show.

In 2000, Clyde Phillips has signed an overall deal with the studio to develop scripts made for the studio.[28]

In 2001, Vivendi acquired USA's entertainment assets for an estimated $10.3 billion. Under the deal, Barry Diller became chairman of Vivendi Universal Entertainment.[29] USA Networks is currently known as IAC. Shortly afterwards, in 2002, it was merged with Universal Studios Network Television, producers of NBC's sitcom Just Shoot Me! to form Universal Network Television.[30][31][32]

### PolyGram Television/Universal Network Television

[edit]

In 1997, PolyGram created not only its syndication unit, but a network unit for long-form television movies and drama series, which was a rebranding from the former UK-based ITC Entertainment television division of PolyGram. It was headed up by Bob Sanitsky, who headed the combined syndication and network divisions.[33] In 1998, it signed a deal with Meg Ryan and her Prufock Pictures to set up her projects at the studio.[34]

In early 1999, shortly after Seagram and Universal completed their deal to acquire PolyGram, PolyGram Television was absorbed into Universal's TV and Networks division (which consisted of Universal's international television operations). Universal would sell the ITC film and television library to Carlton Communications, and the pre-1996 film library to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Shortly afterwards, PolyGram Television was then retained by Universal, opting Bob Sanitsky out of the unit.[35] Universal however then launched Universal Studios Network Programming to inherit the Brillstein-Grey productions, such as the upcoming Work with Me, and the existing Brillstein-Grey shows Just Shoot Me! and The Steve Harvey Show.[36] In 2001, NBC had an option agreement with Universal Network Television to keep Just Shoot Me! on the air to 2003.[37]

In June 2002, Universal Studios Network Television was also merged with Studios USA Network Television around the same time.[38] In 2003, writer John Ridley signed a deal with the studio.[39] Also that year, longtime Universal executives Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly left the studio to start out 25C Productions, a production company affiliated with Warner Bros. Television.[40]

### USA Cable Entertainment

[edit]

The origins of USA Cable Entertainment was traced back to the 1980s when it was founded as USA Network Productions to produce content for the USA Networks. In 1996, it was rebranded to USA Studios, and in 1999 to USA Networks Productions, and later on reincorporated as USA Cable Entertainment on December 24, 1999.[41] Stephen Chao is the company's president since 2000.[42]

The company was best known for producing Monk and the 2003 miniseries Battlestar Galactica, which spawned a reboot in 2004. The same year, following the NBC Universal merger, the USA Cable Entertainment name was retired and was replaced with the NBC Universal Television Studio name. In 2008, the studio, then renamed Universal Media Studios, spun off its cable production division, including shows previously produced under the USA Cable Entertainment name, to Universal Cable Productions (now Universal Content Productions).

### NBC Studios (production company)

[edit]

NBC Television Network's production division was founded in 1947 by RCA (NBC's former parent company). One of its first productions was the children's television program Howdy Doody.

In 1955, NBC acquired production company Kagran Corporation,[43] and by 1956, changed its company name to California National Productions (CNP) and became its syndication and merchandising division.[44] The company also brought several NBC-aired programs, like The Adventures of Hiram Holliday and The Lawless Years, as well as non-NBC programs like The Silent Service and Philip Marlowe, but none of them were successful. The company's first hit was the television show Bonanza, which aired from 1959 to 1973 on the NBC television network. Its follow-up project that was produced independently was Outlaws, a western from 1960 to 1962. The third independently produced NBC show, The Americans, which aired only in 1961, lasted a few episodes, and bombed after only one season.

In 1961, California National changed its name to NBC Films, and in 1963, launched NBC Productions to continue producing its existing show Bonanza, and develop newer projects for the network.[45] NBC developed and produced several shows internally like Kentucky Jones, Captain Nice and T.H.E. Cat. By 1966, the company had output talent deals with Sheldon Leonard, Bob Finkel, Norman Felton and David Dortort.[46] The next big project was The High Chaparral, which was a hit among viewers throughout its four-season run, only to be axed in 1971 due to the rural purge. Throughout its partnership with Sheldon Leonard, they produced three shows Accidental Family, My Friend Tony and My World and Welcome to It, but none of them were successful. In 1974, NBC produced its next big hit Little House on the Prairie. NBC Films was later sold to Worldvision Enterprises due to the 1970 fin-syn rules initiated by the Nixon Administration; today, the shows of that company are now owned by Paramount Global, syndicated by its CBS Studios subsidiary CBS Media Ventures.

In the 1980s, NBC produced Punky Brewster, which was popular among viewers. NBC's production output was primarily on television movies and miniseries. NBC's other television series output were Sara and Roomies; both of them were unsuccessful. In 1985, Michael Filerman through his Michael Filerman Productions company signed a deal with NBC Productions to develop long-form telemovies and miniseries, as well as television series.[47] In the late 1980s, NBC Productions attempted to enter the film business, but it was proven unsuccessful, after the failure of the film Codename: Emerald. In 1987, NBC Productions provided funding for a feature film that starred Cassandra Peterson as her Elvira character, which raised $5–6 million by NBC to fund the film.[48] In 1988, NBC started a deal with Peter Engel that resulted in the creation of Good Morning, Miss Bliss and eventually producing a number of teen shows.[49]

In early 1990, NBC had struck a development deal with musician/producer Quincy Jones and his Quincy Jones Entertainment company. Also the same year, NBC signed a deal with Jay Tarses for his production company.[50] By 1990, NBC returned to producing hit programs with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which starred Will Smith, in one of the first TV roles. Also that same year, NBC Productions partnered with Group W Productions to develop a syndicated program House Party.[51] In 1991, NBC produced another syndicated show, this time, out of the WMAQ-TV studios, Johnny B...On the Loose, in partnership with Viacom Enterprises.[52]

In 1993, Perry Simon left NBC to start his own production company with a non-exclusive production agreement.[53] In 1995, NBC launched a partnership with television director James Burrows to create 3 Sisters Entertainment, who produced series for the network.[54] Out of these five, the most successful out of the venture were Will & Grace and Caroline in the City (co-produced and owned by CBS Productions). Later that year, NBC Productions was however folded into NBC's entertainment division.[55]

In 1996, the company was renamed NBC Studios. The company had returned to producing hit programs like The Pretender, Profiler, Providence, Ed, Las Vegas and Crossing Jordan. In 2004, NBC Studios was merged with Universal Network Television to form NBC Universal Television Studio.[56]

### 2004–present

[edit]

NBC Universal Television Studio was formed in 2004 from NBC Studios and Universal Network Television after NBC and Universal merged.[56] On June 14, 2007, NBC Universal Television Studio was renamed Universal Media Studios (UMS) as the unit would be also developing entertainment for the web.[57][58]

On July 21, 2009, Universal Cable Productions was split off from UMS and placed into NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group division.[59] On September 12, 2011, Universal Media Studios was renamed to Universal Television.[60] In October 2019, Universal Television was transferred from NBC Entertainment to NBCUniversal Content Studios.[61]

## Universal Television Alternative Studio

[edit]

Universal Television Alternative Studio ("Universal Television Alternative" according to the company's on-screen logo) is a television production company owned by Universal Television made in 2016. The unit reports to the president of alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment Meredith Ahr.[62]

The studio was founded in June 2016 under president Meredith Ahr.[63] In July 2016, the studio's first program, World of Dance was announced by NBC.[64] The studio sold its first show to another channel In Search Of... to History.[65]

The studio, as did Universal TV, signed a first-look agreement with Chelsea Handler in March 2018.[66] Both production units signed that same year in August an overall agreement with Eddie Schmidt.[67]

In November 2018, Ahr became president of alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment.[62] Ahr was replaced as the studio's president in August 2019 by Toby Gorman, last the interim CEO of Magical Elves.[68] From Endemol Shine North America, Georgie Hurford-Jones was hired in December 2019 as executive vice president of current programming.[69]

Mario Lopez moved from hosting Extra to NBCUniversal's Access Hollywood in July 2019 with production deal with Universal TV and Universal TV Alternative Studio. His first project, Menudo an hour-long competition show, under the deal was announced to be in development in April 2020.[70]

## Filmography

[edit]

Main article: List of NBCUniversal television programs

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Green, Paul & Price, Frank, A History of Television's the Virginian, 1962–1971. McFarland, pp. 16–17
2. ^ "Unions irked at studio's tape plans" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1964-06-29. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
3. ^ "Week's Headliner" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1967-02-06. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
4. ^ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1969-03-31. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
5. ^ "Tinker severs ties with Fox" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1971-01-18. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-02. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
6. ^ "Monitor" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1980-06-09. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-21. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
7. ^ Schaal, Eric (2021-01-15). "When 'Law & Order' Creator Dick Wolf Took Over at 'Miami Vice' for Michael Mann". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
8. ^ "Universal TV Has 3 Net Pledges On New Series; 6 Pilots Readied". Variety. 1987-03-25. pp. 49, 80.
9. ^ "Thayer named president of Universal TV" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1991-07-01. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
10. ^ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. 1993-09-27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
11. ^ Lowry, Brian (1992-10-19). "U TV ups deal-making pace". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
12. ^ Lowry, Brian (1993-11-16). "Landis & co. stay at MCA". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
13. ^ "Networks are their best own customers" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1994-05-30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
14. ^ Fabrikant, Geraldine (1996-11-26). "Unit of MCA Is Acquiring Talk Shows". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2019-01-16. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
15. ^ "Seagram Buys USA Networks for $1.7 Billion". E! Online. 1997-09-23. Archived from the original on 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
16. ^ "'Cloak & Dagger' for ABC" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1996-10-07. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
17. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 27, 1996). "MCA buys into Brillstein-Grey" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. p. 20. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
18. ^ Hontz, Jenny (2018-01-31). "U may turn on its TV with Brillstein Grey". Variety. Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
19. ^ Hofmeister, Sallie (2018-01-31). "TV Production Jumps Ship". LA Times. Archived from the original on 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
20. ^ "MCA, two indies programming for prime time" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1990-07-16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
21. ^ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1990-07-02. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
22. ^ Moerk, Christian (1993-12-21). "Finnegan/Pinchuk to open NYC office". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
23. ^ Olson, Eric (1998-06-04). "Studios USA exex upped". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-08-22. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
24. ^ "Fisher gets expanded role at MCA" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1996-04-22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
25. ^ a b Hofmeister, Sallie (1997-10-21). "Universal Sells Most of Its TV Assets to Diller". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
26. ^ "Company Reports: Studios USA". Variety. January 11, 1999. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
27. ^ Elsen, Jon (1999-08-04). "Barry Diller Gets $200M October Surprise". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
28. ^ Schneider, Michael (2000-12-21). "Phillips parks pair of scripts at Studios USA". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
29. ^ "Vivendi seals USA Networks deal - Dec. 17, 2001". money.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
30. ^ Klaussmann, Liza (2002-05-22). "Viv U stock up after reports about spinoffs". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
31. ^ Schneider, Michael (2002-08-13). "UPN taps Dosti as doyenne of drama". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
32. ^ Adalian, Josef (2002-05-17). "All in the family". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
33. ^ "P'GRAM PUSHES TV". Variety. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
34. ^ Hontz, Jenny (1998-02-25). "Polygram TV, Ryan link up". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
35. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (1999-04-23). "Polygram TV unit stays at U". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
36. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (1999-03-25). "U ponders TV biz return". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
37. ^ Schneider, Michael (2001-04-09). "NBC reloads 'Shoot'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
38. ^ Adalian, Josef (2002-05-02). "JP times three tapped to run NBC's 'Shoot Me'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
39. ^ Adalian, Josef (2003-08-13). "U TV makes home for 'Brother'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
40. ^ Schneider, Michael; Adalian, Josef (2003-06-09). "Timberman hangs WB shingle". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
41. ^ "California Secretary of State". Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
42. ^ Dempsey, John (2000-03-24). "Chao to top USA Cable". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
43. ^ "Kagran Corp Takes Over NBC Licensing Activities" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1955-05-30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
44. ^ "NBC Subsidiary Changes Name As Result of Expansion" (PDF). Broadcasting Magazine. 1956-07-30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
45. ^ "Six new NBC shows are on the drawing blocks" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1963-08-19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
46. ^ "What Kind of Man is Sheldon Leonard?" (PDF). Broadcasting. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
47. ^ "Making deals" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1985-10-21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
48. ^ "Elvira Set To Star In Theatrical Pic Funded By NBC". Variety. 1987-01-21. p. 26.
49. ^ "Stay Tuned" (PDF). 1987-04-27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
50. ^ "Advertisers get grand tour of network development" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1990-03-19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
51. ^ "Slow start for "House Party"" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1990-02-05. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
52. ^ "Syndication Marketplace" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1991-02-11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
53. ^ "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1993-07-19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
54. ^ Coe, Steve (May 22, 1995). "Burrows cheers venture with NBC" (PDF). Broadcasting Magazine. p. 30\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2018-11-03 - via American Radio History.
55. ^ Coe, Steve (1995-09-18). "NBC Productions folds into entertainment" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
56. ^ a b "NBCU unit trades 'television' for 'media'". The Online Reporter. June 25, 2007. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
57. ^ "NBC's TV unit gets new name". Los Angeles Times. June 15, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
58. ^ Adalian, Josef (2007-06-14). "NBC nixes NUTS name". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
59. ^ Lafayette, Jon (July 20, 2008). "NBC Taps Cable-Studio Bosses". TV Week.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
60. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 12, 2011). "Universal Media Studios Gets New Heads Of Drama, Comedy & Casting And New Name". Deadline. PMC Network. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
61. ^ Littleton, Cynthia; Low, Elaine (October 7, 2019). "NBCUniversal Shakeup: Bonnie Hammer to Head Studios, Paul Telegdy Goes Solo at NBC". Variety. Archived from the original on October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
62. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (November 19, 2018). "NBC Promotes Meredith Ahr to President, Alternative and Reality Group". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
63. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2016-06-08). "Paul Telegdy & Meredith Ahr Extend NBC Contracts, To Launch Alternative Studio". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
64. ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 19, 2016). "NBC & Jennifer Lopez Hit The Floor With New Dance Competition Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
65. ^ Holloway, Daniel (May 30, 2018). "NBCUniversal's Unscripted Content Arm Is Selling Reality Fare to Its Rivals". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
66. ^ Holloway, Daniel (March 29, 2018). "Chelsea Handler Signs Universal Television Deal". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
67. ^ Otterson, Joe (August 20, 2018). "'Ugly Delicious' Showrunner Eddie Schmidt Signs Overall Deal With Universal TV". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
68. ^ Low, Elaine (August 8, 2019). "Toby Gorman to Head Universal Television Alternative Studio". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
69. ^ Low, Elaine (December 3, 2019). "Georgie Hurford-Jones Named Universal TV Alternative Studio's Exec VP of Current Programming". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
70. ^ Thorne, Will (April 29, 2020). "Mario Lopez Developing "Menudo" Competition Series Inspired by Iconic Latin Boy Band". Variety. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Television series by Universal Television at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

NBCUniversal

A division of Comcast

Predecessors|

* MCA Inc.
* PolyGram
* RCA
* Seagram Company Ltd.
* Vivendi Universal

Executives|

* Dick Ebersol
* Bonnie Hammer
* Donna Langley
* Steve Burke
* Pearlena Igbokwe
* Noah Oppenheim
* Cesar Conde

Studio Group|

| Universal Filmed
Entertainment Group|

* Universal Pictures
* Back Lot Music
* DreamWorks Animation
* Focus Features
* Illumination
* Illumination Studios Paris
* NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
* United International Pictures*
* Universal Animation Studios
* Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
* Working Title Films
* Amblin Partners
* Amblin Entertainment
* DreamWorks Pictures

|

Universal
Studio Group|

* Universal Television
* Universal Content Productions
* Universal International Studios
* Carnival Films
* Matchbox Pictures
* DreamWorks Animation Television
* DreamWorks Classics
* Big Idea Entertainment
* Bullwinkle Studios*
* Harvey Entertainment

Destinations
& Experiences Group|

| United States|

* Universal Studios Hollywood
* CityWalk
* Universal Orlando
* Universal Studios Florida
* Islands of Adventure
* CityWalk
* Epic Universe
* Universal Kids Resort
* Universal Horror Unleashed

|

International|

* Universal Studios Japan
* Universal Studios Singapore
* Universal Beijing Resort
* Universal Studios Beijing
* Universal Studios United Kingdom (planned)

Media Group|

| Television networks|

* NBC
* Bravo
* E!
* Syfy
* USA Network
* Universal Kids
* Oxygen

|

Streaming|

* Hayu
* Peacock
* PictureBox Films
* Fandango Media (70%)
* Fandango at Home

NBC
Sports Group|

* NBC Olympics
* NBC Sports Ventures
* Alli
* Golf Channel
* NBC Sports Digital
* GolfNow
* NBC Sports
* part owner
* MLB Network
* NHL Network
* Regional Networks
* Bay Area (45%)
* Boston
* California
* Philadelphia
* SNY (8%)

International
Networks|

* v
* t
* e

NBCUniversal International Networks

A division of NBCUniversal

Asia|

* DreamWorks Channel
* Golf Channel (Indonesia)

Australia & New Zealand|

* Bravo
* New Zealand
* Australia
* Universal TV
* Australia
* New Zealand

Europe, Middle East and Africa|

* 13th Street
* France
* Germany
* Spain & Portugal
* Poland
* DreamWorks Channel
* Diva
* E!
* Golf Channel (France)
* Movies 24
* Syfy
* France
* Germany
* Poland
* Portugal
* Spain
* UK & Ireland
* Studio Universal
* Telemundo Africa
* Universal TV Germany

Latin America & Brazil|

* Universal TV
* E!
* Golf Channel
* Studio Universal
* USA Network
* Telemundo Internacional
* DreamWorks Channel
* Universal+ (outside of Brazil)

Defunct|

* 13th Street Netherlands and Flanders
* 13th Street Australia
* Diva TV
* Diva Universal Italy
* Diva Asia
* E! Asia
* E! Australia and New Zealand
* Hallmark Channel International
* Hallmark Channel Benelux & Scandinavia
* KidsCo
* Sci Fi Romania
* Steel
* Style Network Australia
* Syfy Netherlands and Flanders
* Syfy Russia
* Syfy Asia
* Syfy Australia
* Syfy Latin America
* Universal Channel Greece
* Universal Channel Poland
* Universal Channel Turkey
* Universal Channel Japan
* Universal Channel Asia
* Universal TV UK & Ireland

Other assets|

* Distribution
* Domestic
* International

Telemundo Enterprises Group|

* Telemundo
* Puerto Rico Studios
* Telemundo Studios
* Universo
* Telemundo Deportesw/NBC Sports Group
* Noticias Telemundo

Local Group
O&Os|

| NBC Owned
TV Stations|

* KNBC
* KNSD
* KNTV
* KXAS-TV
* WBTS-CD
* WCAU
* WMAQ-TV
* WNBC
* WRC-TV
* WTVJ
* WVIT
* K15CU-D
* KTEL-TV
* Other properties
* Cozi TV
* NBC LX
* NBC LX Home
* NECN

|

Telemundo
Station Group|

* KASA-TV/KTEL-CD/KUPT
* KBLR
* KCSO
* KDEN-TV
* KHRR
* KNSO
* KSTS
* KTAZ
* KTDO
* KTLM
* KTMD
* KTMW
* KUAN
* KVDA
* KVEA
* KXTX-TV
* WKAQ-TV
* WNEU
* WNJU
* WRDM-CD/WDMR-LP
* WRIW-CD
* WRMD-CD
* WRTD-CD
* WSCV
* WSNS-TV
* WTMO-CD
* WWSI
* WWDT-CD
* WYCN-LD
* WZTD-LD
* WZDC-CD
* Other properties: TeleXitos

Other units|

* Affiliate relations
* NBC
* Telemundo
* EMKA, Ltd.
* International Media Distribution

News Group|

| Main divisions|

* NBC News
* NBCNews.com
* NBC Out
* MSNBC

|

CNBC global channels|

* CNBC
* Africa (licensee)
* Asia
* Brazil (licensee)
* Europe
* World

CNBC Europe branches|

* Class CNBC (20%)
* CNBC-e
* Africa (licensee)
* Arabia

CNBC Asia branches|

* CNBC TV18
* CNBC Awaaz
* CNBC Indonesia
* JKN-CNBC
* Nikkei CNBC

Former/defunct
properties|

* 13th Street (Australia)
* A&E Networks (A&E)*
* Canal+ Group
* Castle Films
* Chapman Entertainment
* Chiller
* Chiller Films
* CIC Video
* Cloo
* Comcast Network
* Craftsy
* Diva
* Diva Universal (Italy)
* E! (Asia)
* Entertainment Rights
* Esquire Network
* Fearnet
* Filmation
* FilmDistrict
* G4
* Good Machine
* Gramercy Pictures
* Hallmark Channel (international)
* ITC Entertainment
* Interscope Communications
* Miss Universe*
* Multimedia Entertainment
* NBBC
* NBCSN
* NBC Sports (Chicago (25%)
* Northwest)
* NBC Weather Plus
* October Films
* Olympic Channel
* Pacific Data Images
* Peacock Productions
* PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
* Propaganda Films
* Savoy Pictures
* SBS CNBC
* Shift
* Seeso
* Spencer Gifts
* Style Network (Australia)
* Syfy (Asia)
* Syfy (Australia)
* Tell-Tale Productions
* The Entertainment Channel*
* Total Television
* UPA
* Universal Channel (Asia)
* Universal Channel (Greece)
* Universal Channel (Japan)
* Universal Channel (Poland)
* Universal TV (UK and Ireland)
* Universal Interactive
* Universal Music Group
* Universal Channel (Turkey)
* Vivendi Universal Games
* Walter Lantz Productions
* Western Publishing
* Gold Key Comics
* Whitman Publishing
* Golden Books Family Entertainment
* Golden Book Video
* Woodland Animations
* ZGS Communications

* Denotes joint ventures

* v
* t
* e

NBCUniversal franchises and series

Universal Pictures|

* Universal Monsters
* The Invisible Man
* Frankestein
* Dracula in films
* The Wolf Man in films
* The Mummy
* The Scorpion King
* The Munsters
* Back to the Future
* The Blues Brothers
* Jaws
* The Nutty Professor
* Pitch Perfect
* Psych
* Psycho
* The Purge
* Twister$
* Step Up+
* Ted
* Tremors
* Johnny English
* Jurassic Park
* Unbreakable§
* K-9
* Wet Hot American Summer
* The Little Rascals
* Fifty Shades
* Fast & Furious
* Meet the Parents
* Bourne
* Bring It On
* Child's Play
* Dragonheart
* American Pie
* American Pie Presents
* Beethoven
* Casper the Friendly Ghost
* Hulk#
* Dumb and Dumber
* Airport

Universal Television|

* Knight Rider
* The Equalizer
* The Office
* The Munsters
* Monk
* Chicago
* Battlestar Galactica
* Street Hawk
* Law & Order
* Dragnet

Universal Animation Studios|

* Woody Woodpecker
* Chilly Willy
* The Land Before Time
* Curious George
* An American Tail
* The LEGO Movie

DreamWorks Animation|

* Madagascar
* Megamind
* The Bad Guys
* The Boss Baby
* The Croods
* How to Train Your Dragon
* Kung Fu Panda
* Monsters vs. Aliens
* Over The Hedge
* Shrek
* Spirit
* Tales of Arcadia
* Trolls

Illumination|

* Despicable Me
* Sing
* The Secret Life of Pets

NBC Studios|

* Saturday Night Live

* # Shared with Marvel Studios
* § Shared with Walt Disney Pictures
* \+ Shared with Lionsgate
* $ Shared with Warner Bros. Pictures
* Category

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template