Universal Pictures Debut Network

MCA TV{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Broadcasting-IDX/1989-Broadcasting/1989-01-23-Broadcasting-Page-0147.pdf|title=8831 Sunset Blvd., #100, West First|date=January 23, 1989|website=American Radio History}} (also known as MCA Television Enterprises) was founded in 1951, several years before parent MCA's purchase of American Decca (in 1959) and Universal Pictures (in 1962). For more than four decades, it was one of the most active syndicators of television programming. During the 1980s, it distributed both off-network reruns of shows like Kate & Allie and Gimme a Break!, as well as original syndication product like the animated action series Bionic Six (co-produced with TMS Entertainment), The Morton Downey Jr. Show (taped at then-MCA owned WWOR-TV in Secaucus, NJ), The Munsters Today (a revival of the Universal sitcom), and Pictionary, based on the popular board game.

MCA Television{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Annuals/Archive-International-Television-Almanac-IDX/IDX/80s/International-Television-&-Video-Almanac-1989-OCR-Page-0247.pdf|title=International-Television-&-Video-Almanac-1989-OCR-Page-0247.pdf|website=American Radio History}} attempted several branded TV packages in 1985 to 2001 including an ad hoc film network, a broadcast network and a few syndicated programming blocks. The company launched the Universal Pictures Debut Network,{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Channels-of-Communication/Channels-1989-01.pdf|title=Channels-1989-01.pdf|website=World Radio History}}{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-01-20.pdf|title=ALL NEW DEBUT MOVIES WITH EVEN BIGGER TITLES THAN DEBUT I|date=January 20, 1986|website=World Radio History}}{{cite web |url=http://www.disputes.org/decisions/0207.htm|title=ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION|last=Fogliani|first=Enzo|website=Disputes.org}} an ad hoc film network with plans to launch in two stages beginning{{cite book|author=Kerry Segrave|title=Movies at Home: How Hollywood Came to Television|date=January 1, 1999|publisher=McFarland|pages=147|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZTehB3M1_kC&pg=PA146|access-date=April 8, 2015|isbn=9780786406548}}{{cite web |url=https://www.radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?530538-Western-Il-Northeast-MO-Monday-April-16-1984|title=Re: Western Il-Northeast MO Monday, April 16, 1984|date=April 14, 2008|website=Radio Discussions}} in September 1985.{{cite book|author=Kerry Segrave|title=Movies at Home: How Hollywood Came to Television|date=January 1, 1999|publisher=McFarland|pages=147|isbn=9780786406548|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZTehB3M1_kC&pg=PA146|access-date=April 8, 2015}}{{cite book |date=January 9, 1989|title=BC-1989-01-09.pdf|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-09.pdf|page=2}}

MCA's motivation for launching the Debut Network was to attempt to make up for lost revenue from the "big three networks", who were at the time, preferring cheaper made for TV movies. Independent stations were specifically targeted since they needed many more hours to fill. MCA set up a barter agreement, wherein each movie featured on the Debut Network would be edited down to 95 minutes, including the credits. (A notable exception was Rear Window, which, with commercials, was given a 2.5 hour block instead of the normal 2 hour block.) Of the 22 minutes for commercials, MCA received {{frac|10|1|2}}, with the local outlets keeping {{frac|11|1|2}} minutes. The remaining three minutes would be devoted to promotion spots for one thing or another.

MCA TV and Paramount Domestic Television had formed Premier Advertiser Sales, a joint venture created for the sale of advertising for their existing syndicated programs in September 1989. As a possible outgrowth of this sales joint venture, MCA and Paramount began plans for a new network, Premier Program Service.{{cite news|title=Plan Seen For Another TV Network|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/20/business/plan-seen-for-another-tv-network.html|author=Richard W. Stevenson|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 20, 1989|access-date=April 22, 2015}} When Premier Program Service halted, MCA teamed up with Chris-Craft TV for a syndicated programming block, Hollywood Premiere Network, that only lasted for the 1990–1991 season.{{cite news|title=MCA TV Spins The Bottle |url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/mca-tv-spins-the-bottle-99128011/|access-date=April 6, 2017|work=Variety|date=April 10, 1995}} The Universal Family Network syndicated programming block was launched by the company in the fall of 1993 with a single weekly half hour show, Exosquad, as a counter to The Disney Afternoon.{{cite journal|last1=Brown|first1=Rich|editor1-last=West|editor1-first=Donald V.|title=New Faces, Familiar Ones Vie For Kids Audience |journal=Broadcasting|date=January 25, 1993|volume=123|issue=4|page=72|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-01-25.pdf|access-date=June 15, 2017}}

{{main|List of Universal Pictures films}}

Beginning in September 1985, affiliated Debut Network stations could program 24 features from the Universal Pictures library on an advertiser supported basis. One feature would debut each month over the course of at least two years, and each month, the stations would be allowed to air the movie twice; usually once in prime time and a rerun in late night hours. At the end of their barter run, these features would revert to the Debut Network stations for additional cash runs with no interim pay cable window.

Frequently, the versions prepared for broadcast would contain alternate takes and scenes originally cut from the theatrical edits, usually to replace footage deemed unsuitable for television. These new edits were prepared on standard definition video, and sent to TV stations via satellite. However, when the films were resent to the affiliated stations for their cash runs, in most instances, the original theatrical versions were provided instead of the Debut Network recuts, in 16mm prints or on 1 inch videotape, and the stations would edit the films as they chose for the individual standards of their markets.

In 1988, the movie network broadcast a special edition of Dune{{cite news |last=Willman|first=Chris|date=June 5, 1988|title='Dune II: The Re-edit'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-05-ca-6381-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|location= |access-date=}} as a two-night event, with additional footage not included in the film's original release.{{cite book|title=The Cinema of David Lynch: American Dreams, Nightmare Visions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5JwyKjpH2QC&pg=PA207|author=Erica Davison|author2=Annette Sheen|publisher=Wallflower Press|page=207|date=2004|access-date=April 9, 2015|isbn=190336485X}}

• Amazon Women on the Moon
• Batteries Not Included{{YouTube|title=KTLA Channel 5: May, 1990 Commercial Break|id=ENysgm32Vrk}}
• The Best of Times{{YouTube|title=WKBD FOX 50 (1988): Universal Pictures Debut Network Commercial Break|id=Z0d8Hw40vmg}}
• Born in East L.A.
• Brazil{{cite book|last=Matthews|first=Jack|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QhTu2cmUcqUC&q=Universal+Pictures+Debut+Network+1985&pg=PA161|title=The Battle of Brazil|year=1998|isbn=9781557833471|pages=161–165}}
• The Breakfast Club{{cite web |url=https://www.viveos.net/video/MJzgpLb3I0U/november-7-1987-c.html|title=November 7, 1987 commercials|date=April 21, 2018|website=Viveos}}{{YouTube|title=The Breakfast Club Network TV Premiere WEWS TV 5 Cleveland Movie Ad (1987)|id=UrqS3mbX-t4}}
• Brewster's Millions
• Cat People{{cite book |title=BC-1984-12-31.pdf|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-12-31.pdf|page=27}}
• Cloak & Dagger{{YouTube|title=KPTV Channel 12 (1986): Universal Pictures Debut Network Commercial Break|id=OwHsQAWQ5PA}}{{YouTube|title=KPTV Channel 12 (1986): Universal Pictures Debut Network Commercial Break|id=-LCwt9aqbX4}}{{YouTube|title=Debut Network - WUTV Channel 29|id=-T4j9mLiyf0}}{{YouTube|title=Cloak & Dagger - 1987 TV Promo on the Universal Pictures Debut Network|id=-LCwt9aqbX4&}}
• Conan the Destroyer
• The Conqueror
• Crackers
• Cry Freedom
• D.C. Cab{{YouTube|title=DC Cab - Universal Pictures Debut Network (1987) Bumpers|id=KgdkshxM88o}}
• Doctor Detroit
• Dune{{YouTube|title=Dune on UPDN 1988 TV bumper|id=N6SVzTpJNQY}}{{cite book |last=Sheen, Davison|first=Erica, Annette|title=The Cinema of David Lynch: American Dreams, Nightmare Visions|year=2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5JwyKjpH2QC&q=Universal+Pictures+Debut+Network+1988&pg=PA41|page=41|isbn=9781903364857}}{{YouTube|title=

Dune Extended Version Network TV Premiere Ad (1988) (windowboxed)|id=v1jgsZsV5Rs}}

• Eddie Macon's Run
• Firestarter{{YouTube|title=WGN 9 commercials, 7/9/1987 part 1|id=Bs11aoOzK7M}}
• Fletch{{cite web |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-TV-Radio-Age-IDX/IDX/80s/1987/1987-01-19-RTVA-OCR-Page-0306.pdf|title=MCA TV |date=January 19, 1987|website=American Radio History}}
• Ghost Story
• Going Berserk
• Gotcha!{{YouTube|title=(December 9, 1988) WPMT-TV Fox 43 York/Harrisburg/Lancaster/Lebanon Commercials (Part 1)|id=uvtClDpHdFg}}
• The Great Outdoors{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095253/companycredits/|title=The Great Outdoors (1988) - Company Credits|last= |first= |date= |website=IMDb|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}
• Halloween II{{YouTube|title=1983 - Halloween II Network Debut Promo|id=V1NAACHWWoE?}}
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch{{cite web |url=https://www.retrojunk.com/commercial/show/6945/universal-pictures-debut-network|title=This "Will Return" bumper was featured on a syndicated showing of the movie "Halloween III".|website=Retro Junk}}
• Hard to Hold
• Harry and the Hendersons{{YouTube|title=KTLA-5 commercials, late October 1989 part 1|id=DJNeAzIjOAU}}
• Howard the Duck{{cite web |url=https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t&p=%22Universal+Pictures+Debut+Network%22+YouTube+1989#id=3&vid=1782253bf97a674418217f4112d3ed54&action=click|title=1989 - 'Howard the Duck' TV Trailer & Bumper for WXIN Saturday Movie|website=Yahoo}}
• Iceman{{cite book |last=Hilmes|first= Michele|title=Hollywood and Broadcasting: From Radio to Cable|year= 1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X4hr1AdKbYMC&q=MGM%2FUA+Premiere+Network&pg=PA191|page=191|isbn=9780252068461}}{{YouTube|title=Universal Pictures Debut Network - Iceman (1987) Promo|id=E8dvrJTa-RM}}
• Legend{{cite web |url=https://news.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=4336&cid=1212353|title=Details of the Dune long version (Score:3)|date=March 10, 2000|website=Slashdot}}
• A Little Sex{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084259/companycredits|title=A Little Sex (1982) - Company credits|website=IMDb}}
• The Lonely Guy
• The Man Who Knew Too Much
• The Serpent and the Rainbow
• Mask{{YouTube|title=Universal Pictures Debut Network (1987)|id=_Ya0HgZoRoY}}
• Prince of Darkness
• Private School
• Raggedy Man
• Rear Window
• The River
• Scarface{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Annuals/Archive-International-Television-Almanac-IDX/IDX/80s/International-Television-Almanac-1987-OCR-Page-0222.pdf|title=International-Television-Almanac-1987-OCR-Page-0222.pdf|last= |first= |date= |website=World Radio History|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}
• Sixteen Candles{{YouTube|title=KPTM 42 Omaha - Sign-Off (12-14-1986)|id=Br0etsARXVE}}
• The Sword and the Sorcerer
• Tank
• They Live{{cite web |url=https://blissvillepodcast.wordpress.com/tag/meg-foster/|title=NEW PODCAST: "All Outta Bubble Gum"|date=October 9, 2015|website=Misadventures in Blissville}}
• Three O'Clock High{{YouTube|title=KTLA Sunday Movie Theatre (1989)|id=0i9dC6I0DxA}}
• Vertigo{{YouTube|title=Universal Pictures Debut Network (1987) #1|id=kE0uadYu6F4}}{{YouTube|title=WGNO commercials - circa 1987|id=FswhEUxR44U}}{{YouTube|title=Universal Pictures Debut Network (1987) #2|id=JPLElAF7iSY}}
• Weird Science{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-11-28-OCR-Page-0042.pdf|title=Debut III.|date=November 28, 1988|website=American Radio History}}
• Where the Buffalo Roam

An alternate version of Halloween II (sometimes referred to as 'The Television Cut') has aired on network television since the early 1980s, with most of the graphic violence and blood edited out and many minor additional scenes added, while others are removed.{{cite AV media|title=Halloween II: The Television Cut|medium=Blu-ray|year=2012|publisher=Scream Factory|asin= B0089BSM70}} This cut of the film was released in 2012 by Scream Factory on their Collector's Edition Blu-ray disc, and again in 2014 as a standalone DVD accompanying the "Complete Collection" Deluxe Edition Blu-ray set, which features entire series.{{cite web|work=Dread Central|title=Halloween: The Complete Collection (Blu-ray)|author=Arrigo, Anthony|date=September 29, 2014|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/70955/halloween-complete-collection-blu-ray/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181012030355/https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/70955/halloween-complete-collection-blu-ray/|archive-date=October 12, 2018}}

The television cut runs approximately 92 minutes, roughly one minute less than the theatrical version. There are many edits such as the murder of Dr. Mixter is presumed to still happen, but remains off camera, as does Janet's, although dialogue indicates she might have gone home at the end of her shift instead of being killed. The scene where Michael stalks Alice is recut to imply that he attacks and kills her neighbor Mrs. Elrod instead. Jimmy's discovery of Mrs. Alves dead and his subsequent slipping in the pool of blood has been significantly shortened (or removed altogether in some prints) and moved just prior to the explosion which kills Myers and Loomis. Jill's stabbing is less graphic, and a moan from the ground implies she might have survived it. Also added are scenes of Michael cutting the power (this explains the dark setting throughout the latter half of the film) and a power generator kicking in. There is also extra dialogue between Laurie and Jimmy, Laurie and Mrs. Alves, Janet and Karen, Karen and Mr. Garrett, Bud and Karen, Jill and Jimmy, etc.

Another notable difference is the killing of the Marshall. In the theatrical version his throat is slit, while in the TV version it is softened, with Michael grabbing him and stabbing him from behind (with no detail shown). While the theatrical version ends with the deaths of Michael Myers and Dr. Loomis and leaves the audience in a gray area as to whether Jimmy survives, the television cut features an extended ending showing Jimmy alive (with a bandaged head wound from his slip) in the ambulance with Laurie Strode. They hold hands and Laurie says, "We made it."{{cite AV media|last=Felsher|first=Michael (dir.)|title=The Nightmare Isn't Over: The Making of Halloween II|year=2012|publisher=Scream Factory|medium=Documentary|time= 33:22}}

The rough cut of Dune, without post-production effects, ran over four hours long but director David Lynch's intended cut of the film (as reflected in the seventh and final draft of the script) was almost three hours long. Universal and the film's financiers expected a standard, two-hour cut of the film. Dino De Laurentiis, his daughter Raffaella and Lynch excised numerous scenes, filmed new scenes that simplified or concentrated plot elements and added voice-over narrations, plus a new introduction by Virginia Madsen. Contrary to rumor, Lynch made no other version besides the theatrical cut.

As previously mentioned, a television version was aired in 1988{{cite web |url=https://epguides.com/WGNPresents/|title=WGN Presents|last= |first= |date= |website=epguides.com|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} in two parts totaling 186 minutes including a "What happened last night" recap and second credit roll. Lynch disavowed this version and had his name removed from the credits, Alan Smithee being credited instead. This version (without recap and second credit roll) has occasionally been released on DVD as Dune: Extended Edition. Several longer versions have been spliced together.{{cite web|url=http://www.figmentfly.com/published/dunearticle.html|title=Building the Perfect Dune |first=Sean |last=Murphy |work=Video Watchdog |issue=33/34 |year=1996 |access-date=December 15, 2014}} Although Universal has approached Lynch for a possible director's cut, Lynch has declined every offer and prefers not to discuss Dune in interviews.{{cite web|url=http://www.duneinfo.com/kaitain/articles/dune-resurrection.asp |title=Dune Resurrection – Re-visiting Arrakis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502142658/http://www.duneinfo.com/kaitain/articles/dune-resurrection.asp | archive-date=May 2, 2009 |website=DuneInfo |access-date=January 18, 2013}}

In 1992, KTVU,{{cite news |date=May 29, 1988|title=May 29, 1988 - 8:00 O KTVU MOVIE ' Dune (1984) (Part 2) Kyle MacLachlan, Francesca Annis. A young prince rallies the inhabitants of Arrakis the desert ...|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2968918/|work=Ukiah Daily Journal}} pieced together a hybrid edit{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087182/alternateversions|title=Dune (1984) - Alternate Versions|website=IMDb}} of the two previous versions for broadcast in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is essentially the television version with all the violence of the theatrical version reincorporated into the film, along with many of the "fabricated" shots objected to by Lynch removed.

In 1985, a much-publicized war emerged between director Terry Gilliam and Universal's then-COO Sid Sheinberg over the final cut of Brazil for the film's North American release. Against Gilliam's wishes, Sheinberg wanted to cut the film from Gilliam's preferred 142 minute cut to 93 minutes and modify the dark sci-fi satire into an uplifting romance, complete with a happy ending. After Gilliam created an ambitious campaign to wrestle the film away from Sheinberg, including clandestine screenings of his preferred cut, which led to the Los Angeles Film Critics Association awarding the film Best Picture and Best Director, Sheinberg backed down and Universal released a "compromised" cut running 131 minutes and featuring a few of the changes suggested by Sheinberg while remaining faithful to Gilliam's vision.{{Cite web|date=1985-12-16|title=CRITICS CHOOSE 'BRAZIL' AS BEST PICTURE OF 1985|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-12-16-ca-892-story.html|access-date=2021-05-14|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}

In January 1989, Universal released a cut of Brazil for airing on the Debut Network. Running 93 minutes, it was a heavily modified version that remained true to Sheinberg's preferred cut of the film, and was subsequently given the nickname "The Love Conquers All Cut." How this version managed to get released remains a mystery; Gilliam said that Universal asked him to make an edited-for-television cut of the film and he refused. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gilliam sarcastically complimented Sheinberg for "[getting] a chance to break into TV," but was angry that Universal didn't take his name off the TV cut and also criticized advertisements for the Debut Network premiere of Brazil which used the same critical praise that was given to his version.{{Cite web|date=1989-01-08|title=Lobotomized 'Brazil'?|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-08-ca-117-story.html|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} In an interview with Jack Matthews in an updated version of his book The Battle of Brazil, Sheinberg claimed he had no idea how his cut leaked out, and said that he wasn't the one who ordered that cut to be released. In 1996, The Criterion Collection released a box set of Brazil that included Gilliam's preferred 142-minute version of the film as well as the "Love Conquers All" cut of the movie.

By October 1988, the Debut Network was affiliated with at least 132 stations.{{cite news |last=Carmody|first=John|date=October 27, 1988|title=THE TV COLUMN|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/10/27/the-tv-column/5cdf6d6c-a057-4fba-8e4b-2349bc1b75a1/|newspaper=The Washington Post|location= |access-date=}}

For the week ending on October 16, 1988, the Debut Network's movie earned a 14.1 rating on just 132 stations.{{cite news |last=Carmody|first=John|date=October 27, 1988|title=THE TV COLUMN|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/10/27/the-tv-column/5cdf6d6c-a057-4fba-8e4b-2349bc1b75a1/|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-05-18.pdf|title=BC-1987-05-18.pdf|date=May 18, 1987|website=World Radio History}} From September 4, 1988 through January 1, 1989, the Premiere Network earned a 10.9 rating.{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-Channels-IDX/IDX/Channels-1989-03-OCR-Page-0071.pdf|title=Channels-1989-03-OCR-Page-0071.pdf|website=World Radio History}} This placed it at fourth place among the top barter series for the first 16 weeks of the 1988–89 United States television season. In June 1990, the Debut Network was ranked in fifth place among the ten highest-rated syndicated programs according to Nielsen.{{cite news|title=BY THE NUMBERS : The Top 10 Syndicated Television Shows|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-25-ca-541-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 25, 1990|access-date=April 9, 2015}}

• List of Universal Television programs
• Fourth television network

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.universalpictures.com/ Universal Pictures]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080706122246/http://www.nbcuni.com/NBC_Universal_Television_Group NBC Universal Television]
• [https://crookedmarquee.com/the-notorious-television-versions-of-universal-studios/ The Notorious Television Versions of Universal Studios]

{{NBCUniversal}}

Category:Television syndication packages

Category:Television programming blocks in the United States

Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States

Category:1980s American television series

Category:1985 American television series debuts

Category:1991 American television series endings

Category:Television series by Universal Television

Category:American motion picture television series