Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

Credits

Compiled by
NotPurpleHoodieBoi

Background

The American Forces Network can trace its origins to 26 May 1942, when the War Department established the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS). A television service was first introduced in 1954 with a pilot station at Limestone Air Force Base in Maine. In 1954, the television mission of AFRS was officially recognized and then became AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio and Television Service).

1st ID (1969)

Visuals: On a white background are two subsequent columns of black and gray horizontal bars sliding into place as they slide and collide from the sides, and slide out for a bit before backing up. The bars separate themselves to leave two split said colors. The colors split themselves to reveal the same background. Then, two rectangles with said colors, both with an cutout that's read as "AFRTS", slide from the upper and lower directions as they settle. The rectangles slightly separate themselves to make room for "ARMED FORCES RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICE" to appear in the middle.

Technique: Traditional animation.

Audio: An organ piano-like theme, followed by an announcer speaking: "This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service".

Availability: Appeared at the end of Professional Bowlers Tour.

2nd ID (1983-1991)

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Visuals: On a black background, there are various red and blue squares forming diagonal lines before colliding together as it forms a rhombus shape, then afterwards a representation of a building with said colors squares appearing at both diagonal directions. The building representation then forms an arc shape with said squares appearing at random directions. A two-colored square slides upwards as the red colors underneath turn lime, aswell as more blue squares appearing before turning into the planet Earth. As the two-colored square is risen enough, it turns into a picture of a satellite. A diagonal yellow bar appears from the left-most of the U.S, as it directly lands on the satellite, then directing against the right-most of Europe. It all fades to black, as it fades to a navy eye-like symbol with the middle represented by a white wireframe globe with the text "AFRTS" over it, all surrounded by a cornflower glow.

Technique: Traditional animation.

Audio: A synth theme which varies by ident.

Availability: Used nationwide during programming and adverts.

3rd ID (1990-1992)

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Visuals:

• 1990: On a space background, the continents in gold are seen orbiting, with the logo in silver, and with "AFRTS" in a different typeface.
• 1991: On a black background, the orbiting planet Earth in a sky-dodger blue color slides from the right as it stands from the middle, followed by the logo in silver sliding to the middle. In 1992, a space background was added. A yellow ribbon with "1942 50^th Anniversary 1992" sweeps from above when the animation finishes.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: A brief droning synth ditty.

Availability: Used nationwide during programming and adverts.

4th ID (1994-1998)

Visuals: On a spinning foggy space background, the planet Earth with a metallic reflection is shown orbiting whilst bars and arcs from the wireframe are being drawn, surrounding it. Part of the eye-like symbol in silver zooms out, followed by "AFRTS" zooming downwards before rotating into view and settle in the middle.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A brief news-themed theme followed by a whoosh and a flurry of sparkling sounds.

Availability: Used nationwide during programming and adverts.

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

American Forces Network ►