Access Syndication

Credits

Compiled by
Eric S.

Editions by
CnowEnt

Background

Access Syndication was a U.S. syndication company, owned by Access Entertainment Group, active during the late 1980s.

Access' precursor, Colbert Television Sales, was an independent television distribution company founded by television pioneer Dick Colbert and also co-ran by his son Ritch Colbert; they were known for distributing the game shows of Barry & Enright Productions. Colbert had a co-distribution team-up with King World, whom they allowed to handle ad-sales of the B&E series until 1982, when King World formed its own ad-sales division (Camelot Entertainment Sales).

On September 29, 1986, Colbert Television Sales merged with Access Entertainment Group to form Access Syndication. Access closed in September 1988, due to a "crowded marketplace" as well as a number of flops.

Logo (June 22, 1984-September 3, 1988)

Visuals: On a black background, the chrome text "access" is seen in a futuristic font, with the "es" conjoined at the bottom, zooming in from the center of the screen. Once it stops, a chrome border fades in around the text, with an open bottom that contains the word "SYNDICATION" in the Microgramma font, as well as "DISTRIBUTED BY" above it. 3 sparkles appear over the logo: one on the middle left of the "a", one on the top right of the 2nd "c", and one on the top right corner of the border.

Variants:

• An early version used for Access Entertainment Group exists. The border has a wider opening on the bottom to have the text "ENTERTAINMENT GROUP" in it, "DISTRIBUTED BY" doesn't appear, and the sparkles look different and shine in different places. 5 sparkles can be seen by the time the logo fades out.
• A sped-up, high-pitched version of the logo exists on some prints of DC Follies.
• An short version exists where it just shows the sparkles.

Technique: Chyron effects.

Audio: A synth choir with three ascending dings as the logo sparkles, or the end theme of the show.

Availability:

• Seen on DC Follies; some episodes on Hulu years back preserved this, though it may not be on Shout! Factory's out of print DVD release.
• It was also seen on non-domestic prints of DIC Entertainment's Beverly Hills Teens, the syndicated game shows Treasure Mall and Slime Time, Season 1 episodes of The Exciting World of Speed and Beauty, the redrawn Popeye shorts, Hollywood's Private Home Movies, and International Swimsuit Edition.
• The early version appears on ABC Rocks.