USA Network From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search USA Network Launched September 27, 1977 Owned by NBC Universal, Inc. Picture format 480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) Slogan "Characters Welcome". Headquarters New York City, U.S. Formerly called Madison Square Garden Network (1977–1980) Website Official Website Availability Satellite DirecTV Channel 242 Dish Network Channel 105 C band Galaxy 14-Channel 19 Cable Available on most cable systems Check Local Listings for channels USA Network (commonly referred to as USA) is an American cable television channel launched in 1977. The channel shows a variety of original and second-run programming, from syndicated TV series (such as NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and the relocation of Law & Order: Criminal Intent from NBC) to edited movies. It is notable for its original series, particularly WWE Raw, Psych, Monk, and Burn Notice. This channel is available in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Brazil. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Programming 3 Upcoming Pilots/Series 4 Trademarks 4.1 USA Network slogans 4.2 Network logo history 5 International 5.1 Canada 5.2 South America 6 Ratings 7 See also 8 References 9 External links [edit] History USA Network premiered on September 27, 1977, originally organized as the Madison Square Garden Network (not to be confused with the New York City regional sports network of that name), the channel became one of the first national cable television channels when it chose to use satellite delivery as opposed to microwave relay to cable systems. On April 9, 1980, the channel changed its name to USA Network after the ownership structure was reorganized under a joint operating agreement by the UA-Columbia Cablevision cable system (now known as Cablevision Systems Corporation) and MCA Inc./Universal City Studios (whose assets are currently owned largely by NBC Universal and Vivendi SA). Later, in 1982, Time, Inc. (which would go on to merge with Warner Communications to become Time Warner) and Gulf+Western's Paramount Pictures unit (now part of Viacom) would buy stakes in the venture. MCA/Universal and the latter company would become the sole owners in 1987 (each owning 50%). On September 24, 1992, USA launched a sister network, the Sci Fi Channel, now known as SCI FI. In 1997, 3 years after the aforementioned Paramount/Viacom merger, that company sold its stake in the networks to Universal (which, along with parent MCA, changed ownership twice earlier in the 1990s: to Matsushita in 1991, and then Seagrams in 1995, the latter company making Universal Studios the corporate name of its media division in 1997). Seagrams/Universal subsequently sold the networks to Barry Diller. Alan Kalter was the network's main promotional voice throughout the 1980s and much of the 1990s. At one point, USA shared channel time/space with two upstart cable nets, C-SPAN and Black Entertainment Television; both these services would be listed in TV Guide under "USA", with a disclaimer that the program is a presentation of either BET or C-SPAN. Later, it simulcast Bloomberg TV in the early-morning hours; that simulcast moved to E! in 2004. In 2000, USA Networks bought Canada's North American Television, Inc. (a joint partnership between the CBC and Power Corporation of Canada), owner of cable TV channels Trio and Newsworld International (the CBC continued to program NWI until 2005, when eventual USA owner Vivendi sold the channel to a group led by Al Gore, who relaunched it as Current TV). In 2001, USA Networks sold its non-shopping TV and film assets (including the USA Network, the Sci Fi Channel, the Trio channel, USA Films (which is rechristened as Focus Features) and Studios USA) to Vivendi Universal. USA and the other channels are folded into Vivendi's Universal Television Group. In 2003, General Electric's NBC agreed to buy 80% of Vivendi Universal's North American-based filmed entertainment assets, including Universal Pictures and Universal Television Group in a multibillion dollar purchase, renaming the merged company NBC Universal. In 2004, NBC Universal officially took over as owner of USA and its sibling cable channels (except for Newsworld International as stated above). USA Network launched a high definition version of the channel broadcasting in 1080i on October 3, 2007.[1] and is currently available on DirecTV, Dish Network, and several other cable systems,[2][3] Westminster Kennel Club dog show, and the United States Open (tennis), which will move to ESPN2 & the Tennis Channel as of 2009[4]. Since 2004, they have broadcast portions of the Olympic Games, along with many other NBC Universal basic cable channels. Previously, it had a weekly boxing show named USA Tuesday Night Fights, which ran for 17 years. USA is also the home of World Wrestling Entertainment's (then called the World Wrestling Federation) flagship cable TV show WWE Raw from the channel's launch until September 2000, and currently since October 2005. Each April from 1982–2007, USA broadcast the opening two rounds of the The Masters Tournament along with high-definition coverage on Universal HD. The coverage switched to ESPN in 2008. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like the detective series Monk, the fake psychic crime-solving series Psych, the covert-operations spy series Burn Notice, the return of WWE Raw, the science fiction mini-series turned regular series The 4400, and the Stephen King–based psychic series The Dead Zone. Reruns of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and NCIS are also frequently shown. Other syndicated programs on the network include Becker, House, JAG, Wings and Walker, Texas Ranger. The network also broadcasts a variety of films from the Universal Studios library. NBC Universal announced before NBC released their 2007–08 fall schedule on May 13, 2007 that Criminal Intent would be renewed for a seventh season. However, the new episodes of the series would premiere on USA beginning in fall 2007, with episodes repeating later in the season on NBC, most likely to shore up any programming holes created by a failed series. Although this is not the first time a broadcast series has moved to cable (as early as 1987, NBC's revival of Alfred Hitchcock Presents moved to USA Network), it is a first in that a series which moved to cable will continue to show episodes on a broadcast network during its first-run era [5]. On December 7, 2007, it was announced that USA Network would continue broadcasting first-run episodes of WWE Monday Night Raw until 2010.[6] In 2008, USA announced a new original series In Plain Sight, starring Mary McCormack, focusing on a United States Marshal working for the Witness Protection Program. The show was filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The series debuted June 1, 2008 with some fairly high ratings. It became USA's highest-rated series premiere since the premiere of Psych in 2006 with 5.3 million viewers. [7] And on February 5, 2009 at 9:00PM EST, Criminal Intent's season 8 preimere will air after being rescheduled from November 2007. In early 2009, USA Network acquired the network television rights for 24 recent and upcoming Universal Pictures films for $200 million. Among the films included in the deal are Milk, Frost/Nixon, Duplicity, State of Play, Land of the Lost and Funny People. [1] [edit] Programming Main article: List of programs broadcast by USA Network [edit] Upcoming Pilots/Series Operating Instructions: Emily Rose ("ER","Brothers & Sisters") will play a top trauma surgeon who, upon returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, finds herself working at a dysfunctional military hospital Stateside. Also starring Nick Zano, Diana Maria Riva, Christine Lahti and Johnny Sneed. Project is produced by Universal Cable Prods. and Conan O'Brien's Conaco Prods., with O'Brien, David Kissinger, Judd Pillot and John Peaslee serving as executive producers. [2], [3] Royal Pains White Collar: From Fox TV Studios, centers on Neal (Matthew Bomer), a brilliant con artist who partners against his will with the head of the FBI's white-collar crime unit (Tim DeKay). Willie Garson will play Mozzie, Neal's kooky friend. [4] [edit] Trademarks [edit] USA Network slogans April 1980–September 1989: It's a Great Place to Stay (1st logo only) April 1980-September 1989: (used concurrently) America's All-Entertainment Network (1st logo only) September 1989–June 1993: America's Favorite Cable Network (1st logo only) June 1993–May 1996: The Remote Stops Here (1st logo only) June 1996–July 1999: The Cure for the Common Show (2nd logo only) July 1999–July 2005: You Are Here (3rd and 4th logos) This logo initially had 7 stripes, but due to problems with the NTSC rastor causing problems with the station ID bug, it was later changed to 5 stripes. July 2005-present: Characters Welcome (5th logo only) This slogan incorporates the use of television spots featuring USA original characters interacting with each other or the world (with humorous effect). [edit] Network logo history USA Network logo from 1980 to 1996. USA Network logo from 1996 to 1999. USA Network logo from 1999 to 2002. USA Network logo from 2002 to 2003. USA Network logo from 2003 to 2005. USA Network logo from 2005 to present. [edit] International [edit] Canada In February 2007, Shaw Communications submitted an application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), to bring the USA Network to Canada (and to automatically allow all English-language general interest cable networks from the USA into Canada). However, because of programming rights issues in Canada, certain programs would be subjected to blackout, including WWE Raw.[8] In September 2007, the commission refused Shaw Communications' request to carry USA Network into Canada because it had too much programming that overlapped with Mystery TV. Mystery TV is an English language digital cable specialty channel that is owned by CanWest MediaWorks Inc. and Groupe TVA.[9] However, on September 20, 2007, the CRTC did say they would reconsider their denial of USA Network, when Shaw Communications instead offered to carry USA Network on their digital cable packages, at a future date.[10] [edit] South America Countries in Latin America such as Brazil have their own USA Network versions, but in 2003, most were renamed Universal Channel to take advantage of the more well-known brand and reduce the awkwardness of a channel branded with the initials of another nation. [edit] Ratings USA was the #1 network in basic cable prime, delivering more P25-54 (1.33 million, +23% over #2 TNT) and P18-49 (1.30 million, +16% over #2 TBS) than any other network the third straight year. In 2008, USA was also the top network in basic cable prime among total viewers (2.84 million, +19% over #2 Disney Channel) and households (2.11 million, +17% over #2 Disney Channel). USA's 2008 average for P25-54 (1.33 million), P18-49 (1.30 million), total viewers (2.84 million) and households (2.11 million) is the highest ever for a basic cable network in Primetime. USA delivered more P25-54, P18-49, and total viewers than The CW in prime (Mon-Sun 8P-11P). This is the first time a cable network has beaten a broadcast network. [edit] See also List of DirecTV channels List of Dish Network channels [edit] References ^ DIRECTV Adds Six HD Channels ^ Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved October 9, 2007. ^ DISH Network Expands National HD Line-Up ^ [http:/fgcvfcgxdcgd\sassdorts.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3391641 "U.S. Open to be carried on ESPN2, ESPN360.com starting in 2009"]. ESPN. 2008-05-12. http:/fgcvfcgxdcgd\sassdorts.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3391641. Retrieved on 2008-09-04. ^ All Three 'Law & Order'- Branded Series Will Continue On The Networks Of Nbc Universal ^ Weprin, Alex. USA Extends WWE Monday Night Raw Deal. Broadcasting & Cable: December 7, 2007. ^ Governor Bill Richardson Announces In Plain Sight to be Filmed in New Mexico :: New Mexico Film ^ CHANNEL CANADA :: USA Network Could Be Coming To Canada ^ Digital Home Canada - CRTC refuses to allow USA Network in Canada ^ Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2007-104 [edit] External links Official Site [show]v • d • eSports television in the United States Broadcast divisions CBS Sports • ESPN on ABC • Fox Sports • NBC Sports National networks ESPN • ESPN2 • ESPN Classic • ESPNEWS • Fox Sports Net • Versus Specialty networks Big Ten Network • CBS College Sports Network • ESPNU • Fox College Sports • Fox Soccer Channel • Fuel TV • GOL TV • Horse Racing TV • MLB Network • MountainWest Sports Network • NBA TV • NFL Network • NHL Network • Setanta Sports North America • The Ski Channel • Speed • Outdoor Channel • Golf Channel • Tennis Channel • TVG Network Occasional broadcasts HBO • ION Television • MyNetworkTV • PBS • Sci Fi Channel • Showtime • Spike • TBS • TNT • USA Network • WGN America Regional sports networks 4SD • Altitude Sports and Entertainment • Bright House Sports Network • Buckeye Cable Sports Network • • Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast • Comcast SportsNet • Comcast Television (Michigan) • Cox Sports (New England) • Cox Sports TV (New Orleans) • Fighting Sioux Sports Network • Fox Sports Net • Metro Sports • Mid-Atlantic Sports Network • MSG Network • MSG Plus • New England Sports Network • Oregon Sports Network • SportsNet New York • SportSouth • SportsTime Ohio • Sun Sports • Time Warner Cable SportsNet (Upstate New York) • Time Warner Cable Sports 32 • YES Network Syndicators America One • ESPN Plus • Raycom Sports Spanish language ESPN Deportes • Fox Sports en Español Broadband services ESPN360 • Universal Sports • Horizon League Network Defunct networks American Sports Classics • Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television • CNN Sports Illustrated • Empire Sports Network • Football Network • Mizlou Television Network • NewSport • ON-TV • PRISM • SCORE • SportsChannel America • SportsChannel Los Angeles • Sports Time • TVS Television Network • Prime Network • PASS Sports • Royals Sports Television Network • Victory Sports One • World Championship Sports Network [show]v • d • eNBC Universal, Inc. (a subsidiary of General Electric 80% and Vivendi SA 20%) Universal Studios Focus Features • Islands of Adventure • United International Pictures1 • Universal Animation Studios • Universal Studios Home Entertainment • Universal Playback • Universal Orlando Resort • Universal Pictures • Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park • Universal Studios Florida Theme Park • Universal Studios Japan • Universal Studios Singapore • Universal Studios Theme Parks • Universal CityWalk Broadcast TV assets NBC • Telemundo • NBC News • NBC Sports NBC Universal Cable A&E Television Networks (25%) • Bravo • Chiller • CNBC • MSNBC2 • Mun2 • Oxygen • SCI FI • ShopNBC • Sleuth • Telemundo Internacional • The Weather Channel8 • Universal HD • USA Network • Universal Sports (50%) • Weatherscan8 CNBC global channels CNBC (US) • CNBC World • CNBC Latin America • CNBC Europe • CNBC Asia • CNBC Africa CNBC Europe branches Class CNBC (20%) • CNBC-e • CNBC Arabiya (according to CNBC Europe) • CNBC Nordic • CNBC Africa • TVN CNBC Biznes CNBC Asia branches Nikkei CNBC • CNBC-TV18 • CNBC Awaaz • CNBC Pakistan • CNBC Australia • CNBC Hong Kong • CNBC Singapore NBC Universal global networks SCI FI • 13th Street • Universal Channel • Hallmark Channel • Movies 24 • KidsCo7 • Diva TV • Studio Universal • Das Vierte • Sci Fi global channels US • UK • Germany • France • Australia • Spain • Benelux • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Latin America NBC Universal Television Group NBC Studios • NBC Universal Television Distribution • Telemundo Television Studios • Telemundo of Puerto Rico Studios • Universal Media Studios NBC O&Os KNBC • KNSD3 • KNTV • KXAS3 • WCAU • WMAQ • WNBC • WRC • WTVJ • WVIT Telemundo O&Os KBLR • KEJT-LP • KHRR • KDEN • KNSO • KTAZ • KTMD • KVDA • KSTS • KVEA • KXTX • WKAQ • WNEU6 • WNJU • WSCV • WSNS ShopNBC O&Os WWDP Spanish independent TV stations KWHY Internet ventures: msnbc.com2 • NBBC4 • iVillage • Television Without Pity • OUTzoneTV.com • getTRIO.com • BrilliantButCancelled.com • calamitygame.com • Hulu9 Other assets: qubo5 • EMKA, Ltd. Defunct properties: NBC Weather Plus• Trio 50%, with Viacom's Paramount Pictures. Co-owned with Microsoft in a joint venture (82% owned by NBC, 18% owned by Microsoft). The stations are co-owned with LIN TV in a joint venture (76% owned by NBC, 24% owned by LIN). A joint venture between NBC Universal and its broadcast affiliates. Co-owned with Corus Entertainment, Classic Media, Scholastic Books and ION Media Networks The station is owned by NBC Universal, but is controlled by ZGS Broadcast Holdings. Co-owned with Corus Entertainment and Cookie Jar Group. Co-owned with Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. Co-owned with News Corporation. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Network" Categories: American television networks | HD channels | Former Viacom subsidiaries | Vivendi subsidiaries | Joint ventures | NBC Universal networks | Television channels and stations established in 1977 | USA Network shows