Universal TV Sells First Projects To Outside Networks: Comedy To ABC & Drama To CBS

A month after Bela Bajaria was given the reins of NBC’s production arm with the mandate to re-establish it as a full-fledged, stand-alone studio, Universal Television has sold two projects to non-NBC networks, comedy End Of The World to ABC and untitled FBI drama to CBS. In addition to Bajaria’s hire, the company’s rapid transformation over the past month also includes the assembling of a top executive team under her with the appointment of heads of comedy, drama and casting, as well as a name change from Universal Media Studios to Universal Television and a new logo (above, animated version below). This marks a return to UMS’ old days, before it was consolidated into NBC 3 years ago, when it developed and produced series for other networks, including Sons And Daughters and Complete Savages for ABC. Here are details on the first 2 non-NBC projects to come out of Universal TV:

Comedy End Of The World for ABC — about three brilliant scientists who, after making a shocking discovery, and encouraged by their roguish friend to live their lives to the fullest. WME-repped Steve Hely (The Office) is writing and executive producing with Emmy-winning directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo who signed an overall deal with Universal TV in June.