INTERVIEW. ''Universal Channel as a name is a great asset for us to broaden the appeal of the TV channel.''

You're reading it here first.

The Universal Channel (DStv 108) just came into full effect on MultiChoice's DStv bouquet, replacing the Hallmark Channel name.

I spoke to John Burnett, vice president of commercial operations and Universal Networks International's managing director for Africa. I asked him about his personal hopes for the new Universal Channel, possible Universal channel additions and talked about where Africa fits into Universal's plans. See what he says are the positives of the Universal Channel name change and how the target audience is expanding.

For my interview with Universal Networks International's John Burnett, click on READ MORE below.

BREAKING. Hallmark changing to Universal Channel will address repeats; ''investing in more first-run content''.

You're reading it here first.

The Hallmark channel (DStv 108) will be changing to the Universal Channel on 24 March at 21:00 but still remain on DStv 108 with the same programming. I wanted to know whether the channel's name change would affect the ''new'' channels' repeat programming strategy and whether this is something that The Universal Channel will be addressing. I've spoken with a lot of Hallmark channel viewers who have the perception that Hallmark has more repeats than most other niche TV channels, and  Now I can give you the answer on this first.

I asked John Burnett, vice president of commercial operations and Universal Networks International's managing director for Africa whether there will be less repeats of shows on the new Universal Channel.

''This is a common question which we're used to hearing,'' said John Burnett. ''Viewers have to remember and keep in mind that repeats allow different audiences to find a show over a period of time. It's part of a channel that there will be repeats. But we are investing more in first-run content. Some of the shows like the Law & Order franchises we're now securing, will be first-run on The Universal Channel. There will still of course be repeats.''

BREAKING. Hallmark changing to Universal channel: How the new logo and colours came to be.

You're reading it here first.

The Hallmark channel (DStv 108) will be changing to the Universal Channel on 24 March at 21:00 but still remain on DStv 108 with the same programming. I can now tell you first what went into the new logo design of the Universal Channel, and also a bit more about the wide variety of colours that viewers will be seeing the logo displayed in (on-air as well as the differently coloured promos that will be running on the Universal Channel).

I spoke to John Burnett, vice president  of commercial operations and Universal Networks International's managing director for Africa about the new logo design, the various colours and colour use.

''You'll recognize that the new Universal Channel logo is an evolution of the Universal movie logo that we've worked on with designers to get something that can work in modern television,'' John Burnett told me. ''The use of the Universal name is deliberate after testing all over the world.''

''Here in South Africa we tested the logo of the Universal Channel and the name. Regarding the colours used – you might notice the NBC Universal logo which is a peacock. It employs multi-colour. We wanted to carry that forward into the identity of the Universal Channel. So you will see a lot of colour. You will see more colour than what you used to see on Hallmark. And different colours at different times during the day.''