ABC Sports

Background

This was the sports broadcasting division of ABC. It was formed in 1961 to produce ABC's Wide World of Sports, the famous sports anthology program. It acquired ESPN in 1984, which led to some unity between both networks. In the late '90s, Owner The Walt Disney Company started integrating ABC Sports and ESPN, with presentation packages, graphics, and announcers shared between both networks. By 2000 they were about the same. In 2002, ABC Sports started gaining re-independence, but in 2006 it was merged with ESPN.

1st Logo (1961-1988, 1998-2000)

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Nickname: "The Return of the Circle", "The Seizure-Inducing ABC Sports Logo" "What Did I Just Watch?" "The Circle Of Doom"

Logo: On a black background, we see various ABC Circles of different colors flashing. A white rectangle with the word "sports" also momentarily appears. Various sports footage moves across the screen. A red ABC Circle appears, which stretches out and forms the word "S P O R T S". More ABC Circles flash over the sports footage. A red letter "A" spins around. Over more sports footage, A "B" zooms into the screen, as does a "C" and the 1990 ABC Sports logo. The beginning circles and rectangle appear again.

FX/SFX: Everything.

Music/Sounds: A dramatic fanfare, over which an announcer says "The following is a special presentation of ABC Sports". Around 1994, it was changed to a less dramatic, more cheerful theme. The closing variant has the closing theme, over which an announcer says "This has been a presentation of ABC Sports, recognized around the world as the leader in sports television".

Availability: Can be seen on sports broadcasts from the era.

Editor's Note: The dramatic fanfare, unwatchable and seizure-inducing animation, and suddenness can cause chills in many.

20th Logo (1995-1998)

Nickname: "The Sports Circle"

Logo: On a blue background, we see the ABC circle, with sports footage playing inside of the circle. The footage stops, the circle turns black. A gold square appears around the circle, which zooms out, revealing the word "SPORTS" below it.

Variant: The closing variant plays the logo in reverse, and it shines at the end.

FX/SFX: The circle, footage, and text.

Music/Sounds: A majestic fanfare, over which an announcer says "The following is a special presentation of ABC Sports". In the closing variant, the announcer says "You are watching ABC Sports, recognized around the world as the leader in sports television".

Availability: Can be seen on sports broadcasts from the era.

Editor's Note: None.

NOTE: After this, ABC Sports stopped using a logo, instead using its "ABC Wide World of Sports" logo for all programs, as well as custom intros. Closing logos were replaced with a simple copyright stamp. Then in 2000, after the copyright stamps were dropped, it brought back its own logo in 2001.

21st Logo (2001-2003)

Nickname: "The Sports Circle"

Logo: Over the opening, the print ABC Sports logo flies by the screen.

FX/SFX: The flying effects.

Music/Sounds: The opening, over which an announcer says "ABC Sports presents"

Availability: Can be seen on sports broadcasts from the era.

Editor's Note: None.