New title sequences were given to "Power Lunch Europe" and "Europe Tonight" to coincide with changes to the form and content of those programmes, but unlike CNBC Asia, no other changes were made to the channel's on air look on this date (although "Capital Connection" uses CNBC Asia's new graphics as it is produced by that channel). On 7 January 2008, the channel unveiled a revamped studio and new "lower thirds". The lower-third style was distinct to CNBC Europe, but adopted some elements of the CNBC U.S. style. On 29 September 2008 the channel dropped "Europe" from its on-screen name, returning to the CNBC brand it had previously used for a spell in the 1990s. This positioned the station in-line with its U.S. and Asian counterparts, which are also referred to simply as CNBC. Some minor on-screen changes were introduced to coincide with the rebrand. On 1 December 2008 the channel relaunched its flagship programme "Squawk Box Europe", with a new look not derived from CNBC U.S. at all. At the same time a third line was added to the ticker detailing general news stories. On 15 December 2008 the channel announced that long running show "Power Lunch Europe" would be removed from the schedule and be replaced, in both Ireland and the United Kingdom only, with a 12-week run of "Strictly Money", a new programme focussing specifically on UK issues. This marks the creation of a new UK/Ireland opt-out for CNBC Europe. The new schedule aired from 12 January 2009, with "Strictly Money" remaining in the schedule until its cancellation in March 2011. CNBC Europe debuted a new lower thirds, which were completely different from its sister U.S. and Asian channels, on 27 July 2009. On 22 January 2010, the station ended its encryption on digital satellite television in the UK to increase its viewer footprint to an estimated 11 million households. The channel was subsequently added to Freesat on 23 February 2010. A significantly revamped studio was unveiled in May 2011 along with a new format for various programmes. The network was formally merged with CNBC Asia in December 2011 to form a new Singapore-based company, CNBC International, to manage the two stations. As a result of the merger CNBC Asia managing director Satpal Brainch was appointed to lead the new company, with his European counterpart Mick Buckley leaving his post. On 31 March 2014, CNBC Europe launched in widescreen (16:9) and changed its lower thirds to match the on-air style of its sister CNBC Asia channel, which also launched in widescreen on the same day.