NBCUniversal Media LLC decided to close Esquire Network (US), about a month after it was dropped by AT&T Inc.'s DIRECTV and U-verse, Variety reported.

Comcast Corp.-owned company will relaunch Esquire as a digital-only platform on Esquire.com, according to the Jan. 18 report. The network will keep its cable feed through the summer, with 30 of the network's 50 employees to be let go as a result of the decision.

NBCU does not intend to sell the channel and will not rebrand it, according to the report. The channel will be relaunched as a direct-to-consumer digital service and will offer existing Esquire Network programming along with new series like "Edgehill," which will debut on the digital platform in spring.