Editing NBCUniversal (section)

===Television===
{{main|NBC|NBCUniversal Cable}}
NBC Universal Television has its modern roots in a series of expansions undertaken by NBC, whose full legal name was '''National Broadcasting Company, Inc.''' In the late 1980s, NBC began pursuing a strategy of diversification, including the formation of two NBC-owned cable-television networks: [[CNBC]] and [[America's Talking]]. NBC also had partial ownership of several regional sports channels and other cable channels such as [[AMC (TV channel)|American Movie Classics]] and [[TruTV|Court TV]] (until 2007).

In 1995, NBC began operating NBC Desktop Video, a financial news service that delivered live video to personal computers. The following year, NBC announced an agreement with [[Microsoft Corporation|Microsoft]] to create an all-news cable television channel, [[MSNBC]] (using its subscriber base from America's Talking network). A separate joint venture with Microsoft included establishing a news website, MSNBC.com (now [[NBCNews.com]]).<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 23, 2001|title=Microsoft and NBC Join Forces Again To Deliver Personal Finance Powerhouse on the Web|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2001/04/23/microsoft-and-nbc-join-forces-again-to-deliver-personal-finance-powerhouse-on-the-web/|access-date=August 28, 2020|website=Stories|language=en-US|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410140457/https://news.microsoft.com/2001/04/23/microsoft-and-nbc-join-forces-again-to-deliver-personal-finance-powerhouse-on-the-web/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, NBC partnered with [[Dow Jones & Co.]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/news/nbc-dow-jones-reveal-merger-details/12739/|title=NBC, Dow jones reveal merger details|access-date=May 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424225735/https://adage.com/article/news/nbc-dow-jones-reveal-merger-details/12739|url-status=live}}</ref> The two companies combined their financial news channels outside the United States. The new networks included [[NBC Europe]], [[CNBC Europe]], NBC Asia, [[CNBC Asia]], NBC Africa, and [[CNBC Africa]].

In 1999, NBC took a 32% stake in the Paxson group, operator of [[Ion Television|PAX TV]]. Five years later, NBC decided to sell its interest in PAX TV and end its relationship with PAX owner, [[Paxson Communications]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/business/media-nbc-universal-and-paxson-an-odd-dance-to-a-divorce.html|title=MEDIA; NBC Universal And Paxson: An Odd Dance To a Divorce|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=August 23, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410140458/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/business/media-nbc-universal-and-paxson-an-odd-dance-to-a-divorce.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2001, NBC acquired the US Spanish-language broadcaster [[Telemundo]], that includes the [[bilingual]] [[mun2|Mun2 Television]] for $1.98 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-12-fi-56173-story.html|title=NBC to Acquire Telemundo Network for $1.98 Billion|last=James|first=Meg|date=October 12, 2001|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082754/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/oct/12/business/fi-56173|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year NBC acquired the cable channel [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]].

====Combining with Universal====
[[File:NBC Universal.svg|thumb|left|250px|Logo used from 2004 to 2011.]]

In 2004, amid a major financial crisis caused by over-expansion, Universal Studios' parent company, Vivendi Universal Entertainment (a division of the French company [[Vivendi]], which also owned [[Blizzard Entertainment]]), decided to sell an 80% stake of itself to [[NBC]]'s parent company, [[General Electric]] (GE). The sale and resulting merger formed NBC Universal. The new company was 80% owned by GE, and 20% owned by Vivendi.<ref name="Overview">{{cite web |last=Levy |first=Jean-Bernard |date=May 13, 2004 |title=Overview of NBC Universal Merger |url=http://www.vivendi.com/vivendi/IMG/pdf/15_NBCUClosing_130504.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118072633/http://www.vivendi.com/vivendi/IMG/pdf/15_NBCUClosing_130504.pdf |archive-date=November 18, 2008 |access-date=December 24, 2009 |website=Vivendi Universal}}</ref> The joint venture encompassed Vivendi's US film interests (such as [[Universal Pictures]]), [[NBC Universal Television Studio]], [[NBCUniversal Syndication Studios|NBC Universal Television Distribution]], production and distribution units, [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]], Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, [[Back Lot Music]] (formerly NBC Records), as well as five theme parks, cable television channels including [[USA Network]], [[Syfy|Sci-Fi Channel]], the defunct [[Trio (TV network)|Trio]], [[Cloo]] (formerly Sleuth) as well as 50% stakes in [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]] and [[StudioCanal]]. The [[Universal Music Group]] was not included in the deal and is not part of NBC Universal.<ref name="nbcuni.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcuni.com/About_NBC_Universal/Company_Overview/ |title=Company Overview |publisher=NBC Universal |access-date=December 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227214407/http://www.nbcuni.com/About_NBC_Universal/Company_Overview/ |archive-date=December 27, 2010 }}</ref>

On August 2, 2004, the television divisions of NBC and Universal Television were combined to form [[NBCUniversal Television Group|NBC Universal Television]]. NBC Studios series brought into the company include the NBC dramas ''[[Las Vegas (TV series)|Las Vegas]]'' (with [[DreamWorks Television]]), ''[[Crossing Jordan]]'', and ''[[American Dreams]]''. Universal Network Television brought the ''[[Law & Order]]'' [[franchising|franchise]] and ''[[The District]]''—in fact, Universal Network Television had co-produced ''American Dreams'' with NBC before the merger.
Universal Television Distribution shows also brought into company include ''[[The Jerry Springer Show|Jerry Springer]]'' and ''[[Maury (TV series)|Maury]]''.
Entertainment shows produced by the new group include ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'', ''[[Last Call with Carson Daly]]'', and ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.

The formation of NBC Universal saw the establishment of [[NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group|NBC Universal Cable]], which oversees the distribution, marketing, and advertisement sales for thirteen channels (Bravo, Bravo HD+ (eventually renamed [[Olympic Channel (United States)|Universal HD]]), [[Chiller (TV channel)|Chiller]], CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, NBC Universo, [[Syfy]], ShopNBC (which became [[ShopHQ]] after NBCUniversal sold its stake in the network), Telemundo, [[Cloo]], [[USA Network]], and the [[Olympic Games]] on cable). NBC Universal Cable also manages the company's investments in [[The Weather Channel]] and [[TiVo]]. The cable division also used to operate [[NBC Weather Plus]] until 2008. It also owned a 50% stake in Canal+ and also owned a 15% stake in [[A+E Networks]] until 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=de la Merced|first=Michael J.|title=Comcast to Sell Back Its Stake in A&E for $3 Billion|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/comcast-to-sell-back-its-stake-in-ae-for-3-billion/|access-date=April 17, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times|DealBook]]|date=July 10, 2012|archive-date=March 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309145705/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/comcast-to-sell-back-its-stake-in-ae-for-3-billion/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Global expansion====
[[File:NBC Tower 070723.jpg|thumb|NBC Universal Chicago headquarters ([[NBC Tower]])]]

In the early 1990s, NBC began its expansion throughout Europe by creating [[CNBC Europe]] and its long-time successful NBC Europe [[Superstation]] by broadcasting [[NBC Giga]] throughout Germany and the rest of the European Union. NBC Europe helped to develop the [[Leipzig]]-based [[Games Convention]], the largest European video game exposition with more than 100,000 visitors each year.

In 2005, NBC Universal joined HANA, the [[High-Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance]] to help establish standards in consumer electronics interoperability. Later that year, NBC Universal announced a partnership with [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]] to offer shows from all the NBC Universal TV networks on Apple's [[iTunes Store]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/06/AR2005120601627.html|title=NBC Universal, iTunes Team On Downloads of TV Shows|last=Noguchi|first=Yuki|date=December 7, 2005|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 24, 2013|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107135050/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/06/AR2005120601627.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2006, NBC Universal launched a new cable channel, [[Cloo|Sleuth]], later rebranded as [[Cloo]].<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/News/Sleuth-Name-Cloo-1031554.aspx Exclusive: Sleuth Gets A New Name: Meet Cloo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021175259/http://www.tvguide.com/news/sleuth-name-cloo-1031554.aspx |date=October 21, 2014 }}, ''TV Guide'', April 7, 2011</ref><ref name=original>[https://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Newly-Rebranded-1035347.aspx Exclusive: Newly Rebranded Cloo TV Picks Up First Original Series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021180408/http://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-newly-rebranded-1035347.aspx |date=October 21, 2014 }} ''TV Guide'' July 15, 2011</ref> One year later after Sleuth's debut, NBC Universal announced that the company would launch a horror-themed cable channel, [[Chiller (TV channel)|Chiller]], on March 1, 2007. 

On June 14, 2007, NBC Universal Television Studio was renamed [[Universal Television|Universal Media Studios]]. The company explained that the reason for the name change was because "the new name fully describes the company's mission to be the premier content provider for television and digital platforms, spanning all television dayparts and creative genres."<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070614nuts01 |title=NBC Universal Re-Names NBC Universal Television Studio as Universal Media Studios |publisher=NBC Universal |date=June 14, 2007 |access-date=December 2, 2009}}</ref>

In August 2007, NBC Universal purchased [[Sparrowhawk Media Group]] and renamed it NBC Universal Global Networks.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/NBC-Universal|title=NBCUniversal {{!}} History, Acquisitions, & Facts|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=August 11, 2017|language=en}}</ref> This acquisition gave NBC Universal all Hallmark channels outside the United States, plus the English channels [[Diva TV]], [[Movies 24]], [[Hallmark Channel (UK)|Hallmark Channel]] and [[KidsCo]].<ref>{{cite news | title = NBC Universal buys 19 Hallmark channels outside the U.S. | newspaper = [[International Herald Tribune]] | date = August 28, 2007 | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/28/business/nbc.php | author = Eric Pfanner | access-date = December 2, 2009 | archive-date = August 31, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070831044727/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/28/business/nbc.php | url-status = live }}</ref> Later that fall, the company also acquired the [[Oxygen (TV network)|Oxygen network]] in a separate $925 million deal.<ref>{{cite news |author=Michael Learmonth |title=NBC U Sucks in Oxygen|publisher=[[Daily Variety]] |page=1|date=October 10, 2007}}</ref> The sale was completed one month later.

In the summer of 2008, NBC Universal, [[Blackstone Group]] and [[Bain Capital]] announced their intention to buy [[The Weather Channel]] from [[Landmark Communications]]. The deal closed on September 12, 2008.<ref>{{cite news | title = NBC Universal to buy The Weather Channel for $3.5B | newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date = July 7, 2008 | url = http://news.smh.com.au/technology/nbc-universal-to-buy-the-weather-channel-for-35b-20080707-32qb.html | author = Seth sutel | access-date = December 2, 2009 | archive-date = August 3, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080803021400/http://news.smh.com.au/technology/nbc-universal-to-buy-the-weather-channel-for-35b-20080707-32qb.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Shortly after the acquisition completed, NBC announced that its existing TV weather network, NBC Weather Plus, would be shut down by December 31, 2008.

In July 2008, [[Universal Cable Productions]] split off from [[Universal Television|Universal Media Studios]] and moved into NBCUniversal's [[NBCUniversal Cable|NBCU Cable Entertainment]] division.<ref name=tvw>{{cite news|last=Lafayette |first=Jon |title=NBC Taps Cable-Studio Bosses |url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/07/nbc_taps_cablestudio_bosses.php |access-date=August 15, 2012 |newspaper=TV Week.com |date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323170925/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/07/nbc_taps_cablestudio_bosses.php |archive-date=March 23, 2012 }}</ref>

The summer of 2008 marked NBC Universal's first venture into the United Kingdom by acquiring English television production company [[Carnival Films]].<ref>{{cite news|author= Conlan, Tara|title= NBC Universal buy Carnival|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/aug/20/television.usa1|work= [[The Guardian]]|publisher= Guardian News and Media|date= August 20, 2008|access-date= August 20, 2008|location= London|archive-date= September 2, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130902154227/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/aug/20/television.usa1|url-status= live}}</ref>

On November 12, 2008, NBC Universal acquired 80.1% of [[NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan|Geneon Entertainment]] from [[Dentsu]] in Japan, merging it with Universal Pictures International Entertainment to form a new company,<ref name="merge">{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-12/geneon-to-merge-with-universal-pictures-japan |title=Geneon to Merge with Universal Pictures Japan |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=November 12, 2008 |access-date=November 13, 2008 |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605033442/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-12/geneon-to-merge-with-universal-pictures-japan |url-status=live }}</ref> Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/|title=Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan Official Website|language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521212929/http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/|archive-date=May 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 16, 2009, NBC Universal-owned cable channel Sci Fi announced that it would be changing its name to [[Syfy]], replacing a generic term with a proprietary brand name that was able to be trademarked.<ref name="scifinewname">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/media/16adcol.html|title=Sci Fi Channel Has a New Name: Now, It's Syfy|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|date=March 15, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215044843/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/media/16adcol.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The re-branding and name change took place on July 7, 2009.<ref name="scifinewname" /><ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2009/07/07/technology/sci_fi_channel_syfy.fortune Syfy: Not Your Father's Sci-Fi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301050438/http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/07/technology/sci_fi_channel_syfy.fortune/ |date=March 1, 2014 }}, ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'', July 7, 2009</ref>

On August 27, 2009, [[A+E Networks|A&E Television Networks]] (A&E) merged with [[Lifetime Entertainment Services]] (Lifetime),<ref>[https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/a-e-acquires-lifetime-1118007820/ A&E Acquires Lifetime], ''Variety.com'', August 27, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/329151-A_E_Networks_Lifetime_Merger_Completed.php A&E Networks, Lifetime Merger Completed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729085925/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/329151-A_E_Networks_Lifetime_Merger_Completed.php |date=July 29, 2013 }}, ''Broadcasting & Cable'', August 27, 2009</ref> giving NBC Universal an equal share of both Lifetime and A&E with [[The Walt Disney Company]] and [[Hearst (media)|Hearst]].

On October 20, 2010, NBC Universal-owned horror/suspense-themed cable channel [[Chiller (TV network)|Chiller]] announced a major rebranding campaign incorporating a new logo and on-air look that launched on Wednesday, October 27, 2010.<ref name=chill>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/chiller-takes-a-chill-pill-1118025991/|title=Chiller takes a chill pill|author=Marc Graser|work=Variety|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023064550/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118025991.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=redesign>[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/20/chiller-announces-major-redesign-incorporating-tagline-scary-good/68925 Chiller Announces Major Redesign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023064549/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/20/chiller-announces-major-redesign-incorporating-tagline-scary-good/68925 |date=October 23, 2010 }}, ''TV By the Numbers'', October 20, 2010</ref> [[Syfy]] and Chiller President Dave Howe said, "We have very ambitious plans to grow this network as a brand."<ref name=chill/><ref name=redesign/>