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Studio Universal (DStv 119) changed the movie channel's logo and look from bright yellow to lava-like orange for Africa, adapting the on-air look which includes moving idents, programme boards and promos to a colour palette that Universal Networks International feels is more suited to the sensibilities of viewers in Africa.
Africa is only the 3rd territory in the world, after South America and Italy in Europe, getting the Studio Universal movie channel where the logo and on-air imaging is decidedly more brighter yellow. For the channel's roll-out in Africa the colour scheme was adapted and changed to a slightly softer orange, with some sparkly glitter added to the moving idents emanating from the elliptical arch.
''We've added some sparkle,'' says Chrystele Fremaux, programming and on-air programming director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at Universal Networks International. ''The customised look of Studio Universal reflects the dynamics of the African market.''
''Studio Universal [for Africa] is a studio look for big blockbusters. It's built around the big illuminating arc. Comedy, action and family are the big elements comprising this Hollywood channel and what Studio Universal will be about,'' she says.
''Studio Universal is not another movie channel, it's the destination for Hollywood movies, it's the destination for entertainment. Showing the right movie, at the right time for the right audience is what we do. We're bring that expertise to this new TV channel,'' says Chrystele Fremaux.
''Here, when you look at the channel proposition here – and it comes out in all of the feedback and analysis we got – just big Hollywood movies for the channel is the best to go with,'' says Colin McLeod, managing director for emerging markets for EMEA at Universal Networks International. ''Studio Universal will be a recent library movie channel. There's always new stars, new franchises, new movies and that will keep Studio Universal fresh.''
''When you think about this platform [DStv] it's already very rich. There's great movie channels across Compact and Premium. What we can do is that we can take the movies and package them up and use the brand to give them to viewers, so they can view them differently than they possibly can on other channels. Theme nights, and over weekends, and big movie events, or holidays. Studio Universal will have a relevancy there,'' he says.
TV with Thinus asked whether there will be other content besides just movies on Studio Universal, since the version of the channel in Italy carries shorter movie related shows and Studio Universal in South America carries some series [although The Universal Channel doesn't exist there].
''It will be movies on Studio Universal for Africa but there might be some short form content about newly released movies, or interviews with stars, or behind the scenes, but it will all be to complement the movie offering on screen,'' says Chrystele Fremaux.
