Draft:WNPT

Background

WNPT, also known as Nashville Public Television, is a PBS affiliate located in Nashville, Tennessee. It launched in 1962 as WDCN, and changed its call letters to WNPT in 2000.

WDCN

1st Ident (1962-1970)

Visuals: Unknown

Technique: Unknown

Audio: Unknown

2nd Ident (1970-1973)

Visuals: On a dark gray background, the word "WDCN-TV" is on the top left. Below it is the word "NASHVILLE", and the 1971 PBS logo is below it. A large number "2" is next to the rest of the logo.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: An announcer saying "WDCN-TV, Nashville, Tennessee".

Legacy: The existence of this ident was unknown before its discovery.

3rd Ident (1973-1980)

Visuals: Over a black background is the text "wdcn·tv". Below it is "nashville, tennessee". Next to it, there is a large number "8".

Variant: There is a variant where a guitar is shown and the WDCN logo is below it.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: An announcer saying "WDCN-TV Nashville, Tennessee".

Audio Variant: There is a variant where singers sing the station's name.

4th Ident (1980-1983)

Visuals: Over a black background is the previous WDCN logo with a rainbow below it.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: An announcer saying "WDCN, Nashville".

5th Ident (1983-1987)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a random image with the text "Nashville Channel Eight" below. On the bottom-left, we see the WDCN logo.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: An announcer, or none.

6th Ident (1987-2000)

Visuals: On a blue background, from a top aerial view, a red line flies amongst blue and white lines. The red line curves into a circle, with another red circle joining it and forming a red "8". A word, consisting of a segmented "WDCN", colored blue, zoom in on top of the "8". A flash of light zooms onto the "8", segmenting it as well and forming "C".

Technique: '80s computer effects.

Audio: A synthesized guitar tune, and the announcer saying "WDCN, Nashville".

Availability: Usually seen as a "You're watching" local ident on the channel, but this may have also been a program intro tag for some local shows. It may have been seen on many programming from the era, but those programs are long gone, due to appearing or plastering with older prints.

WNPT

1st Ident (2000-2003)

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Visuals: On a white background, there are the letters "Npt" in a blue Clarendon font zoom out. The words "Nashville Public Television" appear in sync with the beat of the theme.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A 5-note saxophone sounder with the last 3 notes in-sync with the animation.

Availability: It used to appear on PBS airings of The Big Comfy Couch before 2003. Recorded tapes might retain this logo, which also served as a local ident.

2nd Ident (2003-2009)

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Visuals: On a teal background, there is "Npt" in white, in the same font as before, fading in, as well as "Nashville Public Television" underneath it in white, and "wnpt.net" to the right of it in light blue. Blue pixels sweep across behind the logo, leaving behind red, purple , yellow, blue, and green pixels.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: A guitar/piano orchestra rendition of the previous theme.

Availability: Seen at the end of The Big Comfy Couch episodes on PBS. It was spotted on a 2009 episode of Volunteer Gardener. It can be seen on some older episodes of Tennessee Crossroads. If your PBS station broadcasts Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player during a pledge drive, you might catch this at the start and end of the program, even on newer prints.

3rd Ident (2009-2012)

Visuals: Unknown

Technique: Unknown

Audio: Unknown

Availability: It can be seen on some older episodes of Tennessee Crossroads.

4th Ident (2012-2017)

Visuals: Unknown

Variant: On Bare Feet, the whole thing takes place on a black background.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A new age synth tune beginning with a descending scale followed by three notes (High C, D, and G).

Availability: Seen on Volunteer Gardener, Tennessee Crossroads, Tennessee's Wild Side, and Music City Roots between 2012 and 2017.

5th Ident (2017-2023)

Visuals: On a spotlight background, there is a new "Npt" logo, with a blue coin and the text from before, spinning and then stops. "Nashville Public Television" and the URL link appears below.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A new age synth tune beginning with a descending scale followed by three notes (High C, D, and G). Beginning in February 2018, however, a descending guitar tune is used instead.

Availability: Seen on Volunteer Gardener, Tennessee Crossroads, and Tennessee's Wild Side.

6th Ident (2023-2024)

Visuals: On a white background, the "Npt" circle from before, now with a 2D appearance and in PBS blue, zooms out. A copyright notice appears below.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: A descending guitar tune is used instead.

Availability: Seen on the first post-Joe Elmore episodes of Tennessee Crossroads. Also appears on Volunteer Gardener.