Draft:MTV3
Thisisanwser, Logent
Captures by
Logent, Pyscowicz
Editions by
AnimeTVLogos, DatNumber9Tho, Thisisanwser, Pyscowicz
Video captures courtesy of
ZeiTsei, Nauhoitevideot, Matapoliisit3, Nostalgia-TV, Joonas Pajuniva, FinnTapes, TV Aarteet, Vanhoja-mainoskatkoja, Retropiiretyt, King of TV Sat, El Camino Helsinki, Jaakko Slotte, Boutique, Grade One, Massive Music, MONAMI AGENCY, Valve, Harjis, Sonja Huttunen, NakkedTV
Background
MTV3 was launched in January 1, 1993 as the result of TV channel reform in Finland. All programs that originally run on its predecessor MTV, moved out from Yleisradio's TV1 and TV2 channels into a new Finnish commercial television station. During the same year, MTV Oy was admitted as a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union. MTV3 become quickly popular and the full time broadcasts began in March 14. 1994. MTV Oy and daily newspaper Aamulehti merged into Alma Media in 1998 after the foundation of new Finnish commercial television channel Nelonen operated by media group Sanoma. One year later, MTV Oy launched a free Finnish cable channel TVTV!, that was then later formed into SubTV. In 2005, MTV Oy was sold and later owned fully by Swedish media group Bonnier AB. In 2008, MTV3 expanded with four pay-TV channels: MTV3 MAX, MTV3 Fakta, MTV3 Leffa and Subtv Juniori. The channel image for the television station has been fully updated twice since its launch (2001-2013 and 2013-present). Again, not associated by the American television network, MTV (Music Television).
Note: Many of these channel idents can be found in this compilation from 2:28 onwards.
1st Logo (January 1, 1993-September 6, 2001)
Nicknames: "Ribbon Owl", "Majestic Owl", "Owl Ball's Evolution"
Logo: On a time-lapse video of a sunset over water, a metallic triangle fades in, rotates, and zooms out into place. As it settles into place, a light emerges from it as triangles, ribbons and a live action owl flies out and ripples form on the water's surface. As a result, the triangle disappears and the sunset fades to a rippling orange and blue background. A shot of a owl fades in, turning its head as the background changes to blue. Another owl flies across the screen as a single ribbon comes around the screen. A close-up of the owl's eye then fades in before fading back to a close up of the flying owl, surrounded by auroras. The ribbon flies across the screen again as the owl fades before the final shot on a cloudy background. A spotlight appears and rotates around as the owl flies across the screen. The owl fades out as several blue ribbons and one red ribbon fly in, the former forming an owl and the latter forming a "3". The spotlight forms a glass triangle and another light forms, finishing the triangle and making the owl disappear as "MTV" fades in below, with the "V" on the tip of the triangle. Ripples form on the bottom of the screen, with the cloudy background and ribbons waving around continuing until the end of the logo.
Trivia:
- The logo was created by graphic designer John Kennedy of the now dissolved British company McCallum Kennedy D'Autria Ltd.
- According to Heikki Hellman in his book Koko illan ilo? Kolmoskanava ja television kaupallistuminen, the transparent triangle seen in both idents is a reference to the fusion of MTV and the nationwide television channel Kolmoskanava (the channel featured a triangle in their logo), that previously owned the third channel slot.
Variant: The closedown variant has a darkened owl looking around and another owl, this time as a silhouette, flying across the sunset background. This then cuts to the logo forming, but without the owl.
FX/SFX: The live-action shot of the owl, the ribbons. Excellent use of live-action and CGI that holds up 24 years later and a proud step up from before.
Music/Sounds: A majestic orchestral piece, with string instruments before ending with a proud hit. The closedown variant has a quiet "WHOOSH" before ending with an abridged version of the piece.
Availability: Extinct on TV. Both variants can be discovered in numerous preserved VHS recordings from the 1990's. The closedown variant could also be spotted after the closure of the seven o'clock newscast (Seitsemän uutiset).
Editor's Note: The dramatic piece may surprise some, but this is a majestic logo and a nostalgic memory for many in Finland.
2nd Logo (September 6, 2001-October 3, 2005)
Nicknames: "Alko-TV II", "Round Warp Tunnel"
Logo: TBA
Variants: TBA
FX/SFX: TBA
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: TBA
Editor's Note: TBA
