NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN) announced that the refreshed brand for its flagship, general entertainment channel has been unveiled today in South Africa. In evolving from Universal Channel to UNIVERSAL TV, the refresh delivers a bold, new, contemporary brand identity across all linear, digital and social platforms – including a new logo, typeface and fresh colour palette.
Continuing to draw on the strength, recognition and heritage of the “Universal” name – that’s long been synonymous with quality entertainment – the evolved proposition for the new-look brand continues to highlight that characters are at the heart of great storytelling. In South Africa, character-driven programming has generated outstanding results for the brand and in 2017 the channel had its strongest year in viewers (A16+) since 2010(1)
“UNIVERSAL TV’s reinvigorated identity best positions our flagship brand into the future as a relevant, compelling destination for fans of character-driven programming,” commented Lee Raftery, Chief Marketing & Content Officer and Managing Director UK & Emerging Markets, NBCUniversal International. “In making this latest investment in UNIVERSAL – combined with the raft of top-quality shows we have recently acquired – we’re reinforcing our commitment to delivering a must-watch destination for affiliate partners and viewers, alike.”
Key upcoming launches on UNIVERSAL TV include:
Colony Season 2 – premieres 14 May at 20:00
Will (Josh Holloway – Lost) and Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies – The Walking Dead) struggle to keep their family together as they encounter unexpected challenges, coming face-to-face with the new Resistance and searching for a way out of the Colony. In an effort to get their son back, Will has been co-operating with the Collaborators and knows about Katie’s alliance with the Resistance. With her secret out, now finding themselves on opposite sides of the battle, have they jeopardised any hope of reuniting their family?
The Detail – premieres 5 June at 20:00
Angela Griffin (Coronation Street, Holby City, Waterloo Road), Shenae Grimes-Beech (90210, Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Wendy Crewson (Revenge, 24, Room), star in The Detail, following three fiercely talented, female homicide investigators who work tirelessly to solve crimes while navigating the complicated demands of their personal lives. Detective Stevie Hall (Griffin) is a sharp, quick-witted interrogator – even while balancing the demands of work and her complicated family life – who mentors street smart Detective Jacqueline ‘Jack’ Cooper (Grimes-Beech). Jack is a street smart Detective, with keen investigative skills, but a messy personal life. Joining them is Staff Inspector Fiona Currie (Crewson), the homicide unit’s formidable boss, who works overtime to secure justice, no matter what the cost.
The Outpost – coming soon
The Outpost follows Talon, played by Jessica Green (Roman Empire, Ash vs Evil Dead) a strong female hero and the lone survivor of a race called “Blackbloods.” Years after her entire village is destroyed by a gang of brutal mercenaries, Talon travels to a lawless fortress on the edge of the civilised world, as she tracks the killers of her family. On her journey to this outpost, Talon discovers she possesses a mysterious power that she must learn to control in order to save herself, and defend the world against a fanatical religious dictator. The Outpost also stars Jake Stormoen (Extinct, Mythica), Andrew Howard (Hatfields and McCoys, Hell on Wheels), Anand Desai-Barochia (Emmerdale, Lake Mead), Robyn Malcolm (Top of the Lake, Hostiles) and Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones, Mythica).
The UNIVERSAL TV brand refresh was developed via a collaboration between NBCUniversal International Networks’ Central Marketing team, the award-winning creative agency Red Bee – who established the brand positioning, brand logo and creative concept – and world-renowned brand consultant Lee Hunt. Specialist contributions were provided by Dalton Maag (typeface design studio), Future Deluxe (directed and produced brand idents motion) and Zelig Sound (music and sound design).
About NBCUniversal International Networks
NBCUniversal International Networks is one of the world’s premier entertainment portfolios, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 165 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. The channel brands in the portfolio include UNIVERSAL TV, SYFY, E! Entertainment Television, 13TH STREET, DIVA, Studio Universal, Telemundo, Bravo, DreamWorks and Golf Channel. These unique brands deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe; the portfolio also includes Movies 24 in the UK and The Style Network in Australia. Further, NBCUniversal News Group, one of the most influential and respected portfolios of on-air and digital news properties in the world, operate CNBC and NBC News internationally.
NBCUniversal International Networksis a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
About Red Bee
Red Bee is an award-winning world leader in creating and promoting media brands, with a global reputation for creating multiscreen brand identities and multi-platform promotional campaigns for brands and broadcasters.
Red Bee has created identities for a number of leading media brands around the world including NBCUniversal, the BBC, DreamWorks, Discovery Networks, France Télévisions, RTÉ, and many more.
For more information about Red Bee, go to www.redbeecreative.com.
