NBC Universal has agreed to acquire Sparrowhawk Holdings and its global portfolio of pay TV channels, including the non-US international Hallmark Channels, from Providence Equity Partners, 3i and management shareholders. Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal, under which NBC Universal will acquire the 18 feeds of the international Hallmark Channels, which air across 152 territories to more than 60 million subscribers in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Latin America and Asia. "This is a perfect strategic investment for NBC Universal and illustrates our commitment to growing our company internationally. It is another step, among several we will take in the next year, to transform our entire portfolio, with an eye toward high-growth areas," said NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker.
