Universal Sports

Universal Sports
Launched	2006 (2006) (original launch; as WCSN) June 16, 2008 (2008-06-16) (relaunch; as Universal Sports)
Network	NBC Sports
Owned by	InterMedia Partners (92%) NBCUniversal (8%)[1]
Picture format	1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV)
Slogan	Where Champions are Made.
Country	United States
Language	English
Broadcast area	Nationwide
Headquarters	Woodland Hills, California
Formerly called	World Championship Sports Network (2006–2008)
Sister channel(s)	NBCSN
Website	universalsports.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV	Channel 625 (SD)
Dish Network	Channel 402 (SD)
Cable
Available on most U.S. cable systems	Consult your local cable provider for channel availability
IPTV
Verizon FiOS	Channel 804 (HD)
Streaming media
Sling TV	Internet Protocol television

Universal Sports (officially Universal Sports Network) is an American sports-oriented digital cable and satellite television network that is owned as a joint venture between InterMedia Partners (which owns a controlling 92% interest) and NBCUniversal (which owns the remaining 8%).^[1] The channel airs various sports, primarily those contested in the Olympic Games, an event which is not televised live by the network (however, the network did re-air the 2012 Summer Olympics).^[1]

History

World Championship Sports

The channel was launched in 2006 as World Championship Sports Network (WCSN); it was co-founded by Claude Ruibal (who served as its chairman and chief executive officer) and Tom Hipkins (who served as a member of the channel's board of directors), with the help of Carlos Silva (its president and chief operating officer)^[2] One of the first events broadcast by WCSN was coverage of the United States Track and Field Championships via streaming video.

In 2007, InterMedia Partners gained a majority ownership interest in the network. By March 2008, WCSN began to be carried on broadcast television, through the digital subchannels of several stations owned by the Granite Broadcasting Corporation.^[3]

Universal Sports

In June 16, 2008, NBC Universal entered into a partnership with InterMedia in which the former acquired a minority interest in the channel; in addition, the network was rebranded as Universal Sports, incorporating a new logo with the NBC peacock.^[4] By November 2008, all 10 of NBC's owned-and-operated stations had begun carrying the network on one of their digital subchannels. Universal Sports offered carriage on broadcast stations on a channel lease basis until 2011, with the provision that the stations strike deals with cable providers in their markets to carry the network by January 31, 2009. If a station failed to obtain cable carriage, the network had the right to move its affiliation to another station in that market that would be able to gain cable carriage. The network was being shopped to NBC-affiliated stations until December 1.^[5]

On June 17, 2010, Universal Sports, along with the International Rugby Board, announced that the channel would bring "unprecedented national television and digital media coverage of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup tournaments".^[6] On June 15, 2011, DirecTV became the first television provider to carry Universal Sports as a national basic channel.^[7]

The carriage agreement with DirecTV led NBCUniversal and Intermedia to announce on September 12, 2011, that it would transition Universal Sports into a cable- and satellite-exclusive service (effectively dropping its over-the-air affiliates) by January 2012.^[8] On January 1, 2012, Universal Sports was dropped by most cable providers as a result of a protracted battle to get providers to carry it as an a la carte premium service, instead of their sports tiers.^[9] One of the providers to drop the channel was Comcast, the nation's largest cable company and part-owner of Universal Sports' co-parent NBCUniversal at the time (it would later acquire the remaining ownership interest held by General Electric in 2012).^[10] On February 26, 2012, Dish Network began carrying Universal Sports.^[11]

Universal Sports HD

Universal Sports HD is a high definition simulcast feed of Universal Sports, that broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format; the HD feed was launched in March 2012.^[12][13]

Programming

Universal Sports Network televises more than 1,200 hours of premier sports events on an annual basis.^[2] It covers over 30 sports, including World Championships, World Cups and Grand Prix Events.^[2] The range of these events include:^[2]

The channel has long-term broadcasting agreements^[2] with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the International Cycling Union (UCI), the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG), the International Rowing Federation (FISA), the International Ski Federation (FIS), the International Swimming Federation (FINA), and the International Rugby Board (IRB).

The channel provides year-round coverage of events that generally receive attention every few years. Through television carriage and internet streaming, viewers are provided an in-depth look at how Olympic athletes compete between the games. Universal Sports promotes itself as "the athlete's network",^[2] and extends its coverage through blogs and interviews outside of competition. As reported by Olympic news outlet Around the Rings, Universal Sports and Infront Sports and Media announced an exclusive media rights agreement for the International Ski Federation World Cup events beginning with the 2011-2012 season.

References

External links

• Official website
• www.nbcsports.com - NBC Sports official website