 Logo used since 2011 | |
| Formerly |
|
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Industry | Television production |
| Predecessors | |
| Founded | 2004; 21 years ago (2004) |
| Headquarters | 10 Universal City Plaza,, |
Key people | Erin Underhill (president) |
| Parent | NBCUniversal (2004–2019) NBCUniversal Media Group (2019–present) |
| Divisions | SNL Studios EMKA, Ltd. Open 4 Business Productions |
| Website | Official website |
Universal Television LLC (abbreviated asUTV), formerlyNBC Universal Television Studio andUniversal Media Studios, is an American televisionproduction company and thetelevision studio arm ofUniversal Pictures, established in 2004, as the successor toRevue Studios,NBC Studios,Studios USA Television,PolyGram Television,USA Cable Entertainment, andMCA Television Entertainment, under the nameNBC Universal Television Studio, as a renaming of the original incarnation of theUniversal Television studio. It is a division ofUniversal Studio Group, a division ofNBCUniversal, which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary ofComcast. The company serves as the network television production arm ofNBC; 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 is also known asOpen 4 Business Productions in copyright in certain television series produced by them since 2009. Re-established in 2004, it becameUniversal Media Studios in 2007, and the company finally adopted its current name on September 12, 2011.
| 1909 | Independent Moving Pictures founded |
|---|---|
| 1912 | Universal Pictures is founded afterIMP merged with smaller studios |
| 1926 | NBC is founded |
| 1928 | Walter Lantz Productions is established |
| 1943 | MCA Inc. establishes Revue Studios (later Universal Television) |
| 1963 | American Cable Systems is founded |
| 1964 | Universal Studios Hollywood opens |
| 1968 | American Cable Systems rebrands toComcast |
| 1975 | Filmworks is founded |
| 1976 | Filmworks becomes Casablanca Record & Filmworks |
| 1980 | PolyGram renames Casablanca Record & Filmworks to PolyGram Pictures MCA Videocassette‚ Inc. (laterUniversal Pictures Home Entertainment) is established |
| 1983 | PolyGram Pictures closes |
| 1984 | Walter Lantz Productions' assets are sold to Universal Telemundo is founded |
| 1986 | General Electric re-purchases its former subsidiaryRCA for $6.4 billion, including NBC and a stake inA&E |
| 1987 | PolyGram Movies is founded |
| 1989 | NBC relaunchesTempo Television asCNBC |
| 1990 | Universal Studios Florida opens PolyGram Movies is renamedPolyGram Filmed Entertainment Sky Television andBritish Satellite Broadcasting merge to form British Sky Broadcasting Universal Cartoon Studios (laterUniversal Animation Studios) is established |
| 1994 | DreamWorks Pictures andDreamWorks Animation are founded |
| 1995 | Seagram acquires Universal through its acquisition of MCA NBC andMicrosoft replaceAmerica's Talking withMSNBC |
| 1998 | Seagram acquires PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Barry Diller purchases Universal's domestic television assets Universal Television is renamed Studios USA Television |
| 1999 | PolyGram Filmed Entertainment is folded into Universal Pictures PolyGram Video is renamed USA Home Entertainment Universal Studios Florida expands to becomeUniversal Orlando Resort |
| 2000 | Seagram is sold toVivendi and merged withStudioCanal to become Vivendi Universal Entertainment |
| 2001 | Grand opening ofUniversal Studios Japan Vivendi purchases Studios USA |
| 2002 | NBC acquiresTelemundo andBravo Studios USA assets are folded into Universal Focus Features is formed Comcast acquiresAT&T Broadband for $44.5 billion |
| 2004 | GE and Vivendi merge NBC and Universal intoNBCUniversal |
| 2005 | Comcast sets up a joint-venture withPBS,Sesame Workshop &HIT Entertainment to form PBS Kids Sprout Comcast &Time Warner Cable jointly acquireAdelphia Cable assets for $17.6 billion |
| 2007 | Illumination is founded |
| 2011 | Vivendi divests interest in NBCU; Comcast buys 51% of NBCU from GE, turning it into a limited liability company NBCUniversal Archives is founded |
| 2012 | NBCUniversal divests itsA&E Networks minority stake |
| 2013 | Comcast buys GE's remaining 49% of NBCU Comcast/NBCU assumes full ownership of Sprout |
| 2015 | Amblin Partners is founded |
| 2016 | NBCU acquiresDreamWorks Animation |
| 2017 | NBCU acquires a minority stake inAmblin Partners Sprout relaunches asUniversal Kids |
| 2018 | Comcast acquires Sky from21st Century Fox |
| 2020 | NBCU launchesPeacock |
| 2026 | Versant spins off fromNBCUniversal |
 | |
| Formerly | Revue Productions Inc. (1943–1959) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Founded | 1943; 82 years ago (1943) |
| Founder | Music Corporation of America |
| Defunct | 1963; 62 years ago (1963) |
| Fate | Renamed to Universal Television |
| Successor | Universal Television |
| Parent | MCA |
| Divisions | EMKA, Ltd. |
Revue Studios (first known asRevue Productions Inc.) was founded in 1943 byMCA to produce live radio shows; it also produced "Stage Door Canteen" live events for theUnited Service Organizations (USO) duringWorld War II until it ended in 1945. Revue was re-launched as MCA's television production subsidiary in 1950. The partnership ofNBC and Revue extends as far back as September 6, 1950, with the television broadcast of the anthology seriesStars Over Hollywood (also known asArmour Theatre), based on radio'sStars over Hollywood.
During the early years of television, Revue was responsible for producing and distributing many television programs. These includedLeave It to Beaver, which ran for only one season onCBS before going toABC from 1958 until 1963. In addition, Revue also madeAlan Hale Jr.'sBiff Baker, U.S.A. (1952–1953) and all three ofRod Cameron'ssyndicated series,City Detective (1953–1955),State Trooper (1956–1959), andCoronado 9 (1960–1961) and theBill Williams Western series,The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951–1955). It producedBachelor Father (1957–1962), for "Bachelor Productions",Edmond O'Brien's syndicatedcrime filmJohnny Midnight, based on a fictitiousNew York City actor-turned-private investigator.
Revue also produced the 52-episodeCrusader, the firstBrian Keith series, which aired on CBS from 1955 to 1956. Another western produced by Revue and starringAudie Murphy wasWhispering Smith, which aired on NBC in 1961 and was based on the 1948Alan Ladd movieof the same name.Leave It to Beaver was produced first byGeorge Gobel's Gomalco Productions, then by Kayro Productions on a back lot at Revue Studios from 1958 to 1963. The ABC sitcomMcHale's Navy was also produced by Revue from 1962 to 1966.
In December 1958, MCA/Revue purchased Universal Studios' 367-acrebacklot to produce television series, then leased it back to Universal for a million dollars a year for a decade.[1] The backlot was renamed Revue Studios, which became the name of the company in 1959. In 1960, a jingle composed byJuan García Esquivel andStanley Wilson was introduced at the end of its productions, which was used in some form until the 1980s.[2]
Revue produced later seasons ofThe Jack Benny Program for CBS andNBC and in co-operation withJack Benny's J and M Productions (later known as JaM Productions and JaMco Productions),Checkmate (also co-produced by Jack Benny),General Electric Theater andAlfred Hitchcock Presents for CBS,Studio 57 forDuMont Television Network, and westerns such asTales of Wells Fargo,The Tall Man,The Restless Gun andLaramie for NBC, as well asWagon Train for NBC and ABC. The first two seasons of NBC'sThe Virginian, based on a film released originally byParamount Pictures, whose pre-1950 theatrical sound feature film library was sold to MCA in 1958.Wagon Train was the only Revue-produced TV show to finish an American television season in first place.
In 1962, following its merger withDecca Records, the then-parent ofUniversal 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.
.svg){kind=logo} | |
| Formerly | Universal Studios (1963–1972) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Predecessor | Revue Studios |
| Founded | 1963; 62 years ago (1963) |
| Defunct | 1998; 27 years ago (1998) |
| Fate | Sold toBarry Diller and renamed toStudios USA Television |
| Successor | Studios USA Television |
| Parent | MCA (1963–1996) Universal Studios, Inc. (1996–1998) |
| Divisions | EMKA, Ltd. |
In 1962,MCA acquiredDecca Records, including the film studio Universal-International Pictures (later integrated intoUniversal Pictures). The following year, in 1963, Revue Studios was reincorporated as the original iteration ofUniversal Television.[3] Since then, they have made many contributions to television programming, including the production of the firsttelevision film (See How They Run from 1964), the firstwheel series (The Name of the Game from 1968), the first rotating series with an umbrella title (1969'sThe Bold Ones) and the first two-part television movie (Vanished from 1971). Universal Television (also commonly known as MCA/Universal) also co-produced many shows with Jack Webb'sMark VII Limited, such asEmergency!,Adam-12 and a revival of the 1951 seriesDragnet.
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 join20th Century-Fox Television, and later that year, had to startMTM Enterprises. He subsequently left Fox in 1971 due to conflicts with running MTM.[4][5][6]
During the 1970s and 1980s, Universal Television produced shows such asBaretta,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 andMagnum, 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.[7] One of the more notable contracts was writer/producerDick Wolf, whose Universal association began in 1986 withMiami Vice, then writing for several more shows before creating the hitLaw & Order franchise.[8] 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.[9]
In 1990, MCA/Universal Television began theLaw & Order franchise. In 1991, Tom Thayer was named president of the Universal Television arm.[10] In 1993, former Warner Bros. Television senior vice president of production employee Steven J. Papazian joined Universal Television as vice president of production.[11] In 1992, Universal Television signed a deal with several newer talent, plus some returning and existing talent that were offered at the studio, includingIvan Reitman,David Burke,John Leekley and R.J. Stewart.[12] In 1993, St. Clare Entertainment, a company owned byJohn 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.[13] In 1994, Universal Television made a financing partnership withABC to help them fund the showBlue Skies.[14]
In 1996, MCA was reincorporated as Universal Studios. Around the same time, Universal was acquired by Joseph A. Seagram and Sons and later acquired theMultimedia Entertainment andUSA Network.[15][16] Also that year, Universal Television collaborated withWarner Bros. Television to develop the seriesSpy Game forABC, with Universal alumnusSam Raimi andRobert Tapert of Renaissance Pictures, and Warner alumnusJohn McNamara producing the series, but it didn't last long, as it only lasted one season on the air.[17]
Universal purchased a 50% stake ofBrillstein-Grey Entertainment in 1996 for $75 to $100 million, and included distribution rights to then-new BGE programming such asAlright Already, and did not include older BGE programs that was grandfathered by theColumbia TriStar distribution agreement, such asThe Larry Sanders Show forHBO,NewsRadio andJust Shoot Me! forNBC, andThe Steve Harvey Show forThe WB.[18] They considered buying the other 50% after selling its own television unit toBarry Diller in 1998.[19] Universal sold its stake in BGE in 1999 and BGE was renamed as Brad Grey Television, though Universal continued to co-produceJust Shoot Me! andThe Steve Harvey Show until their cancellations.[20]
EMKA, Ltd. is the holding company responsible for a majority of the pre-1950Paramount Pictures sound library. As an official part of theUniversal Pictures library, they are part of the company's television unit, Universal Television.
 | |
| Formerly | MCA Television Entertainment (1989–1996) Universal Television Entertainment (1996–1998) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Founded | 1989; 36 years ago (1989) |
| Defunct | 1999; 26 years ago (1999) |
| Fate | Merged intoUSA Cable Entertainment |
| Successor | USA Cable Entertainment |
| Parent | Universal Television (1989–1998) Studios USA Television (1998–1999) |
During the 1970s and 1980s, MCA TV, the syndication company, had a production shop that produced shows likeProbe, which aired on ABC.
MCA Television Entertainment (orMTE 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 likeDream On that were made for cable networks likeHBO. It was also a producer of first-run syndication programming for theHollywood Premiere Network, which was distributed by MCA's own syndication armMCA TV, as well asKCOP-TV in Los Angeles andWWOR-TV in New York, such asThey Came from Outer Space,Shades of L.A. andShe-Wolf of London, but it only lasted one season from 1990 to 1991, but it didn't last long.[21]
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.[22]
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.[23]
In 1996, it was renamed asUniversal Television Entertainment (orUTE 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.[24] 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.[25]
| |
| Formerly | USA Networks Studios (1998) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Predecessor | Universal Television (original iteration) |
| Founded | 1998; 27 years ago (1998) |
| Defunct | 2002; 23 years ago (2002) |
| Fate | Acquired byVivendi Universal and merged into Universal Studios Network Television |
| Successor | Universal Network Television |
| Parent | USA Networks Inc. |
| Divisions | Studios USA Network Television Studios USA Television Distribution USA Cable Entertainment |
USA Networks Inc. was founded byBarry Diller when he bought Universal's major television assets in February 1998.[26][27] Among its assets were the USA Network and Sci-Fi Network cable channels along with series such asLaw & Order. Additionally, the company would own theHSN, the Ticketmaster Group and several television stations.[26] Universal Television's production and distribution unit was renamedStudios USA. Universal held on to its 50% share ofBrillstein-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.[28]
In 1999, USA Networks formed its own film and home media divisions when they acquiredOctober Films and several production and distribution assets ofPolyGram Filmed Entertainment for $200 million.[29] Most of the new shows produced under the Studios USA name bombed after only one or two seasons; onlyLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,Law & Order: Criminal Intent andThe 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.[30]
On December 17, 2001,Vivendi Universal agreed to acquire USA's entertainment assets for an estimated $10.3 billion; the transaction closed on May 8, 2002. Under the deal,Barry Diller became chairman of Vivendi Universal Entertainment.[31][32] USA Networks is currently known asIAC. Shortly afterwards, Studios USA Television was merged with Universal Studios Network Television, producers of NBC's sitcomJust Shoot Me! to form Universal Network Television.[33][34][35]
| |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | ITC Entertainment |
| Founded | March 5, 1997; 28 years ago (1997-03-05) |
| Defunct | 1999; 26 years ago (1999) |
| Fate | Merged into Universal Studios Network Programming |
| Successor | Universal Network Television |
| Parent | PolyGram Filmed Entertainment |
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-basedITC Entertainment television division of PolyGram. It was headed up by Bob Sanitsky, who headed the combined syndication and network divisions.[36] In 1998, it signed a deal withMeg Ryan and her Prufock Pictures to set up her projects at the studio.[37]
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 toCarlton Communications, and the pre-1996 film library toMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Shortly afterwards, PolyGram Television was then retained by Universal, opting Bob Sanitsky out of the unit.[38] Universal however then launched Universal Studios Network Programming to inherit the Brillstein-Grey productions, such as the upcomingWork with Me, and the existing Brillstein-Grey showsJust Shoot Me! andThe Steve Harvey Show.[39] In 2001, NBC had an option agreement with Universal Network Television to keepJust Shoot Me! on the air to 2003.[40]
In June 2002, Universal Studios Network Television was also merged with Studios USA Network Television around the same time.[41] In 2003, writerJohn Ridley signed a deal with the studio.[42] Also that year, longtime Universal executives Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly left the studio to start out 25C Productions, a production company affiliated withWarner Bros. Television.[43]
 | |
| Formerly | USA Network Productions (1980–1996, 1999) USA Studios (1996–1999) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Founded | 1980; 45 years ago (1980) |
| Defunct | 2004; 21 years ago (2004) |
| Fate | Merged with NBC Studios and Universal Network Television to form NBC Universal Television Studio |
| Successor | Universal Television Universal Content Productions |
| Parent | USA Network (1980–1999) Studios USA Television (1999–2002) Universal Studios, Inc. (2002–2004) |
The origins of USA Cable Entertainment are 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.[44] Stephen Chao was named as the company's president in 2000.[45]
The company was best known for producingMonk and the 2003 miniseriesBattlestar 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 theNBC Universal Television Studio name. In 2008, the studio, then renamedUniversal Media Studios, spun off its cable production division, including shows previously produced under the USA Cable Entertainment name, to Universal Cable Productions (nowUniversal Content Productions).
 | |
| Formerly | NBC Television Network (1947–1963) NBC Productions (1963–1996) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Founded | 1947; 78 years ago (1947) |
| Founder | RCA |
| Defunct | 2004; 21 years ago (2004) |
| Fate | Merged with Universal Network Television and USA Cable Entertainment to form NBC Universal Television Studio |
| Successor | Universal Television |
| Parent | National Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
NBC's in-house production division, commonly referred to as "NBC Television Network" was founded in 1947 byRCA (NBC's former parent company). One of its first productions was the children's television programHowdy Doody.
In 1955, NBC acquired production company Kagran Corporation,[46] and by 1956, changed its company name to California National Productions (CNP) and became its syndication and merchandising division.[47] The company also brought several NBC-aired programs, likeThe Adventures of Hiram Holliday andThe Lawless Years, as well as non-NBC programs likeThe Silent Service andPhilip Marlowe, but none of them were successful. The company's first hit was the television showBonanza, which aired from 1959 to 1973 on the NBC television network. Its follow-up project that was produced independently wasOutlaws, 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, NBC replaced CNP as its syndication division withNBC Films. Two years later, in 1963, NBC launched its production arm, NBC Productions (succeeding NBC Television Network), to continue producing its existing showBonanza, and develop newer projects for the network.[48] NBC developed and produced several shows internally likeKentucky Jones,Captain Nice andT.H.E. Cat. By 1966, the company had output talent deals withSheldon Leonard,Bob Finkel,Norman Felton andDavid Dortort.[49] The next big project wasThe High Chaparral, which was a hit among viewers throughout its four-season run, only to be axed in 1971 due to therural purge. Throughout its partnership with Sheldon Leonard, they produced three showsAccidental Family,My Friend Tony andMy World and Welcome to It, but none of them were successful.
In 1971, NBC spun off NBC Films and sold it toNational Telefilm Associates (later sold toWorldvision Enterprises) due to the 1970 fin-syn rules initiated by the Nixon administration, while programs from NBC News continued to be distributed internationally by NBC Enterprises for $7.5 million.[50] In 1974, NBC produced its next big hitLittle House on the Prairie.
In the 1980s, NBC producedPunky Brewster, which was popular among viewers. NBC's production output was primarily on television movies and miniseries. NBC's other television series output wereSara andRoomies; 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.[51] In the late 1980s, NBC Productions attempted to enter the film business, but it was proven unsuccessful, after the failure of the filmCodename: Emerald. In 1987, NBC Productions provided funding for a feature film that starredCassandra Peterson as herElvira character, which raised $5–6 million by NBC to fund the film.[52] In 1988, NBC started a deal with Peter Engel that resulted in the creation ofGood Morning, Miss Bliss and eventually producing a number of teen shows.[53]
In early 1990, NBC had struck a development deal with musician/producerQuincy Jones and hisQuincy Jones Entertainment company. Also the same year, NBC signed a deal withJay Tarses for his production company.[54] By 1990, NBC returned to producing hit programs with the sitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which starredWill Smith, in one of his first television roles. Also that same year, NBC Productions partnered withGroup W Productions to develop a syndicated programHouse Party.[55] In 1991, NBC produced another syndicated show, this time, out of theWMAQ-TV studios,Johnny B...On the Loose, in partnership withViacom Enterprises.[56]
In 1993, Perry Simon left NBC to start his own production company with a non-exclusive production agreement.[57] In 1995, NBC launched a partnership with television directorJames Burrows to create3 Sisters Entertainment, who produced series for the network.[58] Out of these five, the most successful out of the venture wereWill & Grace andCaroline in the City (co-produced and owned byCBS Productions). Later that year, NBC Productions was however folded into NBC's entertainment division.[59]
In 1996, the company was renamed NBC Studios. The company had returned to producing hit programs likeThe Pretender,Profiler,Providence,Ed,Las Vegas andCrossing Jordan. In 1997, NBC Studios,Paramount Pictures, andSaturday Night Live creator and producerLorne Michaels launched ajoint venture namedSNL Studios, which would produce future episodes ofSaturday Night Live in association withBroadway Video (also owned by Michaels), as well as movies featuringSaturday Night Live sketch characters.[60]
In 2004, NBC Studios was merged with Universal Network Television and USA Cable Entertainment to form NBC Universal Television Studio.[61]
Paramount Global'sCBS Studios subsidiaryCBS Media Ventures, through Spelling Television, currently distributes most of NBC's pre-1973 series, with the exception of non-public domain episodes ofHowdy Doody and several episodes of the game showYou Bet Your Life by Buddy Hackett and non-public domain episodes by Groucho Marx, which are owned by NBCUniversal; many other NBC-produced programs from before 1973 are in the public domain. Most NBC programs post-1973 are distributed byNBCUniversal Syndication Studios in the United States andMGM Worldwide Television Distribution outside of the United States.
NBC Universal Television Studio was formed in 2004 from NBC Studios and Universal Network Television after NBC and Universal merged.[61] On June 14, 2007, Universal Media Studios (UMS) became its successor as the unit would be also developing entertainment for the web.[62][63] On September 12, 2011, it was changed back to simply Universal Television and a new logo was introduced.[64]
On July 21, 2009,Universal Cable Productions was split off from UMS and placed intoNBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group division.[65] In October 2019, Universal Television was transferred from NBC Entertainment to NBCUniversal Content Studios.[66]
 | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 2016; 9 years ago (2016-06) |
| Parent | Universal Television (2016–2020) Universal Studio Group (2020–present) |
| Divisions | Universal Television Alternative Studio UK |
Universal Television Alternative Studio (Universal Television Alternative according to the company's logo) is an Americantelevision production company launched by Universal Television in June 2016. The unit reports toUniversal Studio Group chairmanPearlena Igbokwe.[67]
The studio was founded in June 2016 under president Meredith Ahr.[68] In July 2016, the studio's first program,World of Dance, was announced by NBC.[69] The studio sold its first show to another channel (In Search Of... toHistory).[70]
The studio, as did Universal TV, signed a first-look agreement withChelsea Handler in March 2018.[71] Both production units signed that same year in August an overall agreement with Eddie Schmidt.[72]
In November 2018, Ahr became president of alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment.[73] Ahr was replaced as the studio's president in August 2019 by Toby Gorman, last the interim CEO of Magical Elves.[74] From Endemol Shine North America, Georgie Hurford-Jones was hired in December 2019 as executive vice president of current programming.[75]
Mario Lopez moved from hostingExtra to NBCUniversal'sAccess 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.[76]
Media related toTelevision series by Universal Television at Wikimedia Commons
