London – NBC Universal (NBCU) has finalized the acquisition of Sparrowhawk Holdings and its global portfolio of pay-TV channels including the international (non-US) Hallmark Channels, from Providence Equity Partners, 3i and management shareholders. The deal closed following the conclusion of regulatory approvals and terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. As previously announced, NBCU acquired all of the company’s shares to own the 18 feeds of the international (non US) Hallmark Channels, Movies 24, Diva TV and Sparrowhawk’s stake in the KidsCo joint venture. NBC Universal also owns the broadcast facility in Denver, Colorado, and the international distribution rights to over 580 titles in the Sparrowhawk International Library. Sparrowhawk’s channel brands will be added to NBCU’s portfolio, which includes the Sci-Fi, 13th Street, Studio Universal and Universal Channel brands. The acquisition has increased NBCU Global Networks offerings to more than 30 channels in total, with ongoing plans to expand to more than 50 channels over the next 2-3 years.