Universal HD
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Universal HD | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Launched | July 31, 2003 |
| Owned by | NBC Universal |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Formerly called | Bravo HD+ (until December 1, 2004) |
| Website | www.universalhd.com |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | 259 |
| Dish Network | 9427 |
| Cable | |
| Available on many cable systems | Check local listings for channels |
Universal HD is an HDTV cable television network owned by NBC Universal. The channel was known as Bravo HD+ until December 1, 2004. The network exclusively broadcasts in high definition 1080i. It includes a mix of films, dramas, series, sports, specials & performance arts programming from the NBC Universal library, most having aired on one of the NBC Universal-owned networks, including NBC, Bravo, USA Network, SCI FI, Sleuth, Chiller and Oxygen. The network began carrying a Wednesday night block of HD Sundance Channel content in August 2007, and returned Firefly in HD to Saturday Nights on July 28. In early 2008, Universal HD unveiled a new logo and a newly redesigned website.
Universal HD also airs sporting events from NBC Universal networks such as providing the high definition simulcast of USA Network's coverage of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in 2006 and 2007, along with their first and second round coverage of The Masters and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2007. In addition, the network was used to broadcast additional footage from the 2006 Winter Olympics not aired on NBC. This was mostly limited to men's and women's hockey qualifying rounds and semifinals. This is in addition to airing simulcasts of USA, MSNBC, and CNBC coverage of those same games.
In 2008 Universal HD has aired US Olympic Trial events during or soon after their original airing on MSNBC and USA. From August 9, 2008 through August 24, Universal HD aired Olympic event simulcasts taken from MSNBC, CNBC and USA Network in high definition.
Universal HD was the broadcaster for the live HD version of the Sundance Channel feed for Live Earth, which featured no commentary or hosts.
The network regularly airs horror movies branded "Chiller on Universal HD," often featuring titles from its sister NBC Universal network.
In November 2007, Universal HD became the exclusive USA broadcaster of World Cup Volleyball.
In 2008, Universal HD added reruns of Jericho, Friday Night Lights, Kidnapped, Threshold, Touching Evil, Philly, Big Apple, Battlestar Galactica, Andy Barker, P.I., My Big Fat Greek Life, 3 lbs., South Beach and Sex, Love & Secrets. Movies continue to run editted for content (though presented in a 16:9 aspect ratio even if the original aspect ratio of the film was wider), but with limited commercial interruption. On Saturday, February 9-Sunday, February 10, 2008, the entire first season of Jericho was broadcast in a marathon. [1]
The network began to air same-week encores of the World Wrestling Entertainment programs Raw and ECW on Sci Fi on Saturday nights beginning in early 2009.
On July 23, 2008 Variety reported that Sleuth, Universal HD, and Chiller are moving from Los Angeles to New York; when the channels movement is complete, Sleuth and Universal HD will report to USA Network, while Chiller will report to Sci Fi Channel. [2]
