Universal Channel leaving BT

[ShadyCreek]

Just noticed this on the website.  Anyone know anything about it?  Are Universal actually closing the UK service? 

Universal SD and HD channels will cease from BT TV on the 27th of January 2020 and will no longer be available in the UK market. The recordings will be available until Sunday the 23rd of February 2020.

[nostra999]

Yes looks like we are loosing universal and vh1 in January. No press on it that I’m aware of or mention of any replacements.

[Anonymous]

Universal programmes have slowly been merged into the Sky Witness schedule as a result of the Comcast deal which included Sky taking operational control of NBCU’s UK channels (Universal TV, Syfy UK etc). It has been expected for quite a while now that Universal would close with programming moving to the Sky branded channels.

[ShadyCreek]

Ah that does make sense.  Thanks! 

Fingers crossed for the NowTV integration in the not too distant future then. 

[ozsat]

VH1 SD channel will cease from BT TV on the 7th of January 2020 and will no longer be available in the UK market. The recordings will be available until Wednesday the 5th of February 2020.

Universal SD and HD channels will cease from BT TV on the 27th of January 2020 and will no longer be available in the UK market. The recordings will be available until Sunday the 23rd of February 2020.

[Sundance]

Interesting. Fox,  now universal leaving BT.  Rumour is National Geographic with all it's channels will go as in Disney entertainment coming soon. What will BT do ? Not an easy call for them and more to the point i as a customer will go for the best TV package that I like/afford. At the moment I like BT TV. Lose National Geographic, then for me it's game over.. But I hope it don't come to that... 

[ozsat]

It doesn't just look as if they are leaving BT - it looks as if both are leaving the UK. So actually closing down.

Official VH1 listings only go up to end of 6th January.

[Anonymous]

Universal was always going to be leaving the UK following the Comcast/Sky deal (a la my post above). At least the programming isn't going to be lost as it is moving onto Sky Witness, although I know that won't suit anyone not having Sky or NowTV.

[jam2000]

BT were in talks with Disney so assume their content will be coming in 2020

[welshgit]

as it says above 3 channels gone this year and no replacements  bttv is becoming less attractive  i pay for bttv im not paying for now tv or disney on top ,it will be cheaper to just switch to sky and have an ugly dish outside . i did read somewhere that sky comedy is to be a replacement THAT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT    i like to watch a cop show or drama if i wanted to see a  comedy i,d turn over to comedy central  . is bt moving to just   a carrier for competitor apps and players and bt sport   . there is meant to be a new tv stb coming out in early 2020 if there are only a few channels to watch nobody would want one