BBC America: Difference between revisions

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum

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{{PageCredits|description=James Fabiano, Daniel Fuentz, Sean Beard, Logophile, BenIsRandom and Kris Starring|capture=Bob Fish, Eric S. and Logophile|edits=V of Doom, Mr. Logo Lord, AlmightyKingPrawn and AlmightyKingPrawnMichael Kenchington}}
 
===Background===
'''BBC America''' was formed on May 1, 1981 as '''[[Lionheart Television|Lionheart Television International, Inc.]]''', a joint venture primarily consisting of Western World Television and Public Media, Inc. Lionheart took over the US distribution rights to the BBC's television output after a previous deal with [[Time-Life Television]] expired, as well as that of the [[ABC National IDs (Australia)|Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]. The BBC eventually bought Lionheart outright by 1987, making it their North American distribution arm, which was renamed to "BBC America" in 1994, and later launched as a television channel in March 1998. In 2014, AMC Networks purchased a 49.9% stake in the company, replacing Discovery Inc. as the BBC's managing partner in the US.
 
{{SeparateTOC
|Lionheart Television|▼
{{ImageTOC
|untitled.png|1st Logo (1982-1987)
|Untitled3.png|2nd Logo (1987-1991)
|Untitled4.png|3rd Logo (1991-1995)
}}
|BBC America|
{{ImageTOC
|Bbcamerica.jpeg|1st Logo (1994-1997)
Line 17 ⟶ 9:
|BBC America (2002).png|3rd Logo (2001-2007)
|Bbcamerica3.jpeg|4th Logo (June 1, 2005-November 19, 2018)
}}
}}
 
==Lionheart Television==
===1st Logo (1982-1987)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
untitled.png
untitled2.png
Lionheart Television (1985) (From - Greek dubbed print of Thundersub).png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=yqflpVy-4iQ}}▼
 
'''Logo:''' On a black background, a white drawing of a lion zooms in before stopping, taking up a good portion of the screen. The lion is drawn in an ugly "ornate" style with its tongue sticking out, a collar-like mane, and rather "fluffy" appearance. Its also holding a spectre in its front right (or left, depending on how you see it) paw, with 2 wing-like attachments at the top and emitting lightning bolts off of it. From the bottom of the spectre, the text "A '''BBC''' TV PRODUCTION" zooms in and settles below the lion, with "BBC" in a larger, "3D"-styled font. A few seconds later, it "flips" around to reveal "Distributed By" in a small print, as well as "'''LIONHEART''' TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL, INC." in a larger print. "LIONHEART" is also presented in a similar "ornate" style.
 
'''Trivia:''' The lion in the logo is part of the BBC's Coat of Arms (though not this crude, obviously).
 
'''Variants:'''▼
*For shows produced by ABC, the text will instead read "AN ABC PRODUCTION" with "ABC" larger than the rest.
*A different version of this logo had the lion and "LIONHEART" text on a chrome silver plate, flying up from the bottom of the screen. After it settled, the regular text fades in.
*A still version exists where the logo's coloured in orange.
 
'''Technique:''' Scanimate animation.
 
'''Music/Sounds:''' A Moog synthesizer tune that starts with what sounds like a "winning" sound effect on a slot machine or a video game, which is followed by a fanfare.
 
'''Music/Sounds Trivia:''' This logo's soundtrack is perhaps more notable nowadays for its use on the outro for some videos by [[Everything is Terrible!|Everything Is Terrible!]]
 
'''Availability:''' Extinct. Usually replaced with the 2nd logo. It may or may not appear on the original VHS of ''The Home Whovian''. It did appear on some episodes of the ''Blackadder'' series when last seen on New York's WLIW 21 in the 2000s.
 
===2nd Logo (1987-1991)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
untitled3.png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=UN46wlMlMAk}}
 
'''Logo:''' Against a black screen, many white dots "dissolve" upwards and form a {{color|red}} and white lion's head. The words "LIONHEART TELEVISION - THE BBC IN AMERICA" appear from the bottom of the screen while a {{color|red}} and white stripe is "drawn" under the lion's head. There is a "V" shaped bend in the stripe at the part below the head.
 
'''Variant:''' Some shows had a copyright date below the logo. Sometimes, the animation would begin superimposed over a scene from the preceding program.
 
'''Technique:''' Early computer animation.
 
'''Music/Sounds:''' None, or the end music of the show.
 
'''Availability:''' Can still be seen at the end of ''Are You Being Served?'' episodes when seen in certain markets (WLIW 21 in New York and East Tennessee PBS in Knoxville, for instance). Also at the end of some ''Fawlty Towers'' reruns. The version with the superimposition and the copyright date was seen at the end of the short-lived U.S. adaptation of ''Top of the Pops'', which aired briefly Friday late-nights on CBS in the 1987-88 season.
 
===3rd Logo (1991-1995)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
untitled4.png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=7vDw_Pflo0k}}
 
'''Logo:''' The 1985-1991 [[BBC One|BBC1]] "COW" globe is seen spinning around while parallelograms with the letters "BBC" drop over the globe. Under the "BBC", three {{color|red}} lines and the words "LIONHEART TELEVISION" appear with "A BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION COMPANY" in small letters underneath.
 
'''Technique:''' CGI animation.
 
'''Music/Sounds:''' A synthesised fanfare that sounds vaguely like the one in the 1st logo.
 
'''Music/Sounds Variant:''' On ''Madison's Adventures: Growing Up Wild'', it uses the 1987 [[ITC Entertainment Group]] Gold Diamonds fanfare.
 
'''Availability:''' Rare, but seen a good deal on A&E (''Lovejoy'', ''A Touch of Frost'', ''Pole To Pole with Michael Palin'') and [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] until the mid '90s.
* Its first appearance appears to have been on original PBS prints of ''Keeping Up Appearances'', first broadcast on PBS stations in late 1991/early 1992.
* This was also used to replace the older Lionheart (and Time-Life) logos on reissued BBC library shows (i.e. ''Fawlty Towers'', ''Are You Being Served?'' (other/later episodes, including “The Hero”), ''Good Neighbours'', '' 'Allo, 'Allo'', ''To The Manor Born'').
* This also appeared on some of the [[CBS/Fox Video|CBS/FOX]]-distributed [[BBC Video]] tapes (''Blackadder's Christmas Carol''; ''Shada'').
 
==BBC America==
===1st Logo (1994-1997)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Bbcamerica.jpeg
</gallery>
▲{{YouTube|id=yqflpVyV_ZcKbA89-4iQY}}
 
'''LogoVisuals:''' Same as the 1992 [[BBC Studios Home Entertainment|BBC Video]] logo, except the words "'''''WORLDWIDE AMERICAS'''''" appear under the BBCCGI boxversion of the 1988 BBC logo.
 
'''Technique:''' Same as the 1992 BBC Video logo.
 
'''Music/SoundsAudio:''' None.
 
'''Availability:''' Appeared at the end of ''Red Dwarf'' and other British programs that appear on PBS stations. It may appear on episodes of ''Last of the Summer Wine'' (Series 10 and Series 11), if your station is running them.▼
 
 
'''Availability:''' Seen at the end of American prints of BBC shows from the time-period until 1997.
* It appeared at the end of ''Red Dwarf'' and other British programs that appear on PBS stations.
▲'''Availability:''' Appeared at the end of ''Red Dwarf'' and other British programs that appear on PBS stations.* It may also appear on episodes of ''Last of the Summer Wine'' (SeriesSeason 10 and SeriesSeason 11), if your station is running them.
* It is also kept intact on the DVD release of ''Sister Wendy's Odyssey''.
 
===2nd Logo (1998-2001)===
Line 103 ⟶ 34:
{{YouTube|id=4WSH59FLTyo}}
 
'''LogoVisuals:''' WeThe startsequence starts with a closeup of the globe hot-air balloon seen on BBC One's UK idents from 1997 to 2002. Then, in a very quick flash, a box appears against a {{color|blue}} background. It contains footage of the same balloon over a river and to the right of a riverside building (which is the Eilean Donan castle in Scottish Highlands). Under the picture are the words "'''BBC''' (in the Box logo) AMERICA presents", and the "BBC AMERICA" part expands as the logo fades out.
 
'''Technique:''' A mix of live-action and computer animation by Lambie-Nairn.
 
'''Music/SoundsAudio:''' A light piano tune that ends in a heavily reverberated note with the "flash". The tune itself is taken from one of the BBC One idents from between 1997 and 2002.
 
'''Availability:''' UncommonSeen on American prints of BBC shows as an opening bumper until 2001.
* Previously seen as the opening bumper for many British television programmes on PBS stations.
* It can still appear on programmes such as ''Keeping Up Appearances'', ''Fawlty Towers'', ''Waiting for God'', ''As Time Goes By'' (up to seriesseason 8), ''Last of the Summer Wine'' (up to seriesseason 21) and ''Are You Being Served?'', if your station has older prints.
 
===3rd Logo (2001-2007)===
Line 119 ⟶ 50:
{{YouTube|id=Jt8oxMj7Rso}}
 
'''LogoVisuals:''' Inside a dark room, a silhouette of a woman is seen blowing {{color|red}} roses out of her hand. The screen then turns white with the left side of the screen being filled with a hazy {{color|blue}}/{{color|red}} blob. As the roses fully blow out, an air haze is seen, with what looks like a blurry {{color|blue|United}} {{color|red|Kingdom}} flag (even waving as such). The BBC America logo appears at the bottom.
 
'''Technique:''' Live-action combined with computer effects by Telezign.
 
'''Music/SoundsAudio:''' A techno tune with a female soloist in the background.
 
'''Availability:''' Seen on the American prints of BBC shows from this time-period until it was replaced with the next logo.
'''Availability:''' Less common than the previous logo, but it*It still appears on older prints of ''As Time Goes By'' (SeriesSeason 9), ''To The Manor Born'', ''Last of the Summer Wine'' (from SeriesSeason 22 to SeriesSeason 27; SeriesSeason 28 and SeriesSeason 29 don't have any logo at all) and the ''Are You Being Served?'' episode "Do You Take This Man?".
*It was also used as a station ID on BBC America from 2001 to 2005.
 
===4th Logo (June 1, 2005-November 19, 2018)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200150">
Bbcamerica3.jpeg
BBC Worldwide America (2008).png
Reveille and BBC.PNG
</gallery>
 
'''LogoVisuals:''' On a dark cloudy background, wethere seeis the 1997 BBC logo along with the text "WORLDWIDE AMERICA" (with "WORLDWIDE" on top of "AMERICA") emerging from the clouds.
 
▲'''Variants:'''
'''Variant:''' *There is a variant with the print logo on a white background.
*On ''I'm with Stupid'', the logo is next to the [[Reveille Productions]] logo.
 
'''Technique:''' Simple,CGI butby effective CGIWunderFilm.
 
'''Music/SoundsAudio:''' A whoosh or the closing theme.
 
'''Availability:''' Once more, seen on programmes until 2018.
'''Availability:''' Seen at the beginning (and sometimes end) of ''Dancing with the Stars''. The print logo appears on BBC-licensed games, like ''Dancing With the Stars: We Dance!'' for Nintendo DS.▼
* Seen at the beginning (and sometimes end) of ''Dancing with the Stars''.
* It was also seen on the short-lived ''Viva Laughlin'' and the failed pilot of ''I'm with Stupid''.
▲'''Availability:''' Seen at the beginning (and sometimes end) of ''Dancing with the Stars''.* The print logo appears on BBC-licensed games, like ''Dancing With the Stars: We Dance!'' for Nintendo DS.
 
{{TV-Navbox}}
▲{{Chronology|[[Lionheart Television|]]}}
[[Category:American television logos]]
[[Category:United States]]
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[[Category:BBC]]
[[Category:AMC Networks Inc.]]
[[Category:Logos made by Lambie-Nairn]]
[[Category:Logos made by Telezign]]
[[Category:Logos made by WunderFilm]]
[[Category:BBC Studios]]

Latest revision as of 19:29, 1 September 2024

Credits
Descriptions by
James Fabiano, Daniel Fuentz, Sean Beard, Logophile, BenIsRandom and Kris Starring

Captures by
Bob Fish, Eric S. and Logophile

Editions by
V of Doom, Mr. Logo Lord, AlmightyKingPrawn and Michael Kenchington


Background

BBC America was formed on May 1, 1981 as Lionheart Television International, Inc., a joint venture primarily consisting of Western World Television and Public Media, Inc. Lionheart took over the US distribution rights to the BBC's television output after a previous deal with Time-Life Television expired, as well as that of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC eventually bought Lionheart outright by 1987, making it their North American distribution arm, which was renamed to "BBC America" in 1994, and later launched as a television channel in March 1998. In 2014, AMC Networks purchased a 49.9% stake in the company, replacing Discovery Inc. as the BBC's managing partner in the US.


Contents

1st Logo (1994-1997) 2nd Logo (1998-2001) 3rd Logo (2001-2007) 4th Logo (June 1, 2005-November 19, 2018)


1st Logo (1994-1997)


Visuals: Same as the 1992 BBC Video logo, except the words "WORLDWIDE AMERICAS" appear under the CGI version of the 1988 BBC logo.

Technique: Same as the 1992 BBC Video logo.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen at the end of American prints of BBC shows from the time-period until 1997.

  • It appeared at the end of Red Dwarf and other British programs that appear on PBS stations.
  • It may also appear on episodes of Last of the Summer Wine (Season 10 and Season 11), if your station is running them.
  • It is also kept intact on the DVD release of Sister Wendy's Odyssey.

2nd Logo (1998-2001)


Visuals: The sequence starts with a closeup of the globe hot-air balloon seen on BBC One's UK idents from 1997 to 2002. Then, in a very quick flash, a box appears against a blue background. It contains footage of the same balloon over a river and to the right of a riverside building (which is the Eilean Donan castle in Scottish Highlands). Under the picture are the words "BBC (in the Box logo) AMERICA presents", and the "BBC AMERICA" part expands as the logo fades out.

Technique: A mix of live-action and computer animation by Lambie-Nairn.

Audio: A light piano tune that ends in a heavily reverberated note with the "flash". The tune itself is taken from one of the BBC One idents from between 1997 and 2002.

Availability: Seen on American prints of BBC shows as an opening bumper until 2001.

  • Previously seen as the opening bumper for many British television programmes on PBS stations.
  • It can still appear on programmes such as Keeping Up Appearances, Fawlty Towers, Waiting for God, As Time Goes By (up to season 8), Last of the Summer Wine (up to season 21) and Are You Being Served?, if your station has older prints.

3rd Logo (2001-2007)


Visuals: Inside a dark room, a silhouette of a woman is seen blowing red roses out of her hand. The screen then turns white with the left side of the screen being filled with a hazy blue/red blob. As the roses fully blow out, an air haze is seen, with what looks like a blurry United Kingdom flag (even waving as such). The BBC America logo appears at the bottom.

Technique: Live-action combined with computer effects by Telezign.

Audio: A techno tune with a soloist in the background.

Availability: Seen on the American prints of BBC shows from this time-period until it was replaced with the next logo.

  • It still appears on older prints of As Time Goes By (Season 9), To The Manor Born, Last of the Summer Wine (from Season 22 to Season 27; Season 28 and Season 29 don't have any logo at all) and the Are You Being Served? episode "Do You Take This Man?".
  • It was also used as a station ID on BBC America from 2001 to 2005.

4th Logo (June 1, 2005-November 19, 2018)

Visuals: On a dark cloudy background, there is the 1997 BBC logo along with the text "WORLDWIDE AMERICA" (with "WORLDWIDE" on top of "AMERICA") emerging from the clouds.

Variants:

  • There is a variant with the print logo on a white background.
  • On I'm with Stupid, the logo is next to the Reveille Productions logo.

Technique: CGI by WunderFilm.

Audio: A whoosh or the closing theme.

Availability: Once more, seen on programmes until 2018.

  • Seen at the beginning (and sometimes end) of Dancing with the Stars.
  • It was also seen on the short-lived Viva Laughlin and the failed pilot of I'm with Stupid.
  • The print logo appears on BBC-licensed games, like Dancing With the Stars: We Dance! for Nintendo DS.
◄ Lionheart Television
BBC America
Retrieved from "https://www.avid.wiki/BBC_America?oldid=955240"
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