Universal Channel (Japanese TV channel)
Universal Channel was a Japanese television channel.
Country | Japan |
---|---|
Headquarters | Osaka, Japan |
Ownership | |
Owner | NBC Universal |
History | |
Launched | April 1, 2008 (as Sci-Fi Channel) April 1, 2010 (as Universal Channel) |
Closed | March 31, 2013 |
Former names | Sci-Fi Channel (2008-2010) |
Links | |
Website | www.universalchannel.jp |
History
2008-2010
Sci-Fi Channel was a Japanese television channel broadcasting from 1 April 2008 until 1 April 2010.[1][2]
This was the result of an agreement between NBC Universal and Jupiter Telecommunications for NBC Universal to acquire Jupiter Telecommunications' subsidiary company JSBC2 and launch Sci Fi Channel on J:COM.[3] Under the terms of the agreement, NBC Universal acquired 100% of the equity of JSBC2, which held the broadcasting license for Reality TV on the SKY PerfecTV! platform in Japan.
Sci-Fi Channel was rebranded in the US on July 7, 2009 as Syfy as part of a global rebrand. Sci-Fi Channel in Japan did not adopt it because it was rebranded in the merger with Universal Channel.[4] Sci-Fi occupies a programming block on Universal Channel. The channel's website no longer exists, instead redirecting to The Universal Channel's website.
2010
On April 1, 2010, Sci-Fi Channel (Japan) was rebranded into Universal Channel (Japan); a Syfy programming block later premiered.
References
- "SCI FI Channel to begin broadcasting throughout Japan". Japan Today. 2008-03-26.
- "NBC to launch SCI FI and Universal Channels". TV Next. 2008-03-30.
- "NBCU Goes to Jupiter for Japanese Sci Fi". AWN News. 2007-11-08.
- "Universal Channel launches in Japan". OnScreen Asia. 2010-04-05.