You're reading it here first.
The Hallmark Channel (DStv 108) has just announced that it's changing to the Universal Channel from 24 March in a complete rebranding and channel reposisioning strategy - Africa being a world-first.
I thought that this is what would be announced (and which i speculated about RIGHT HERE on 1 February whern I got the invitation).
The Hallmark Channel with 3,7 million viewers will change its name and logo on 24 February at 21:00 but remain on channel 108 on DStv. I've got LOTS of interviews and ALL the news about it (and what it entails) and I'll roll it out over the next couple of days right here.
The rebranding of the brand-new Universal Channel is part of the strategy by Universal Networks International to ''harmonize'' its TV channels under specific brands. Africa is the first market to introduce the new-look channel globally. ''
''This is a natural evolution of the Hallmark channel in Africa,'' says François Roux, managing director, EMEA, Universal Networks International. ''Building on Universal’s entertainment heritage we will continue showing quality content in an engaging TV environment, now emphasized by a modern, colourful channel look and feel.''
''We are very positive about this development of Hallmark channel,'' says Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice head of content. ''We have co-operated closely with Universal Networks International making sure our subscribers benefit from even stronger content delivered under the new Universal Channel name.''
