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What happens when an established American network licenses itself to a UK company...the end result is ITV Spark! Name History: USA Network UK (1986-1991) Carlton Television (1991-2006) ITV Carlton (2006-2009) ITV Spark (2009-present) Short History: ITV Spark launched on May 1, 1986 as the British feed of the USA Network. Owned by Carlton Communications, under license from USA Networks, it was USA Network's first international feed. It was one of 3 launch channels of Carlton Communications' broadcast division. Much like the original American channel, the British USA Network aired a mix of sitcoms, dramas, children's programming and sporting events. Carlton Communications' rights to use the USA Network name expired in 1991, with the channel relaunching as Carlton. However, its programming renamed virtually the same. A second British USA Network would launch in 1994 (now known as Universal TV). In 1992, Carlton attempted to purchase Thames Television (ITV's East London franchise) with the goal of turning it into a free-to-air version of the Carlton channel. The plan failed due to Thames successfully keeping its license. By the mid-1990s, the Carlton channel began to morph into a channel aimed at young adults as to distinguish its programming from its competitors. In 2002, Carlton Communications agreed to merge with Nintendo, forming Technicolor Group. Carlton and Nintendo were retained as "cap brands" with Carlton specializing in British assets. ITV plc would begin managing the channel in 2003 with Technicolor Group providing programming. ITV would buy the channel outright in 2006, although continuing to license the Carlton name, resulting in the channel changing its name to ITV Carlton. By then, the channel shifted again, airing shows from American premium channels like HBO and Starz, as well as original programming. The channel adopted its current name in 2009 after its rights to Carlton name expired.
