Granada Television

Credits

Descriptions by
Michael Bass

Captures by
countdowngoofs, EnormousRat, and Gilblitz112

Editions by
DisneyInternationalFan, RSX-798, Prodigy012, Lorcan Wooster, Blue2000 and Michael Kenchington

Video captures courtesy of
JohnnyL80, Broken Saw, Nion's Logo Archive (Formerly JM Enterprises Inc), dylanstonepark, and EnormousRat

This article is about the TV idents. For the production logos, see ITV Granada Productions (UK).

Background

Granada plc is a former British conglomerate, best known for its Manchester-based subsidiary Granada Television, one of the biggest broadcasting studios among other ITV-based brands. It was incorporated in 1934. In 1994, it bought out ITV franchisee London Weekend Television, making it the company's expansion into television, this was followed two years later by the launch of a media subsidiary Granada Media Group plc, encompassing Granada Sky, Granada and LWT, this was followed by three more ITV franchise acquisitions, including Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television on June 26, 1997, the television arm of United News & Media in July 2000 and Border Television in July 2001. Following its merger with Carlton Communications on February 2, 2004, Granada became known as ITV plc, saving its former name for the North-West broadcast area. Granada was involved in the large amount of television series and movies.

1st Logo (1956)

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Nicknames: "The Early Northern Arrow"

Logo: On a black background, the word "GRANADA" appears at the top of the screen. An arrow moves upwards from the bottom of the screen until it disturbs the "N", which bounces three times before settling again. The word "Presents", in a Sans Serif font, then appears under the point of the arrow.

Variant: A static variant was phased in after only a few weeks, reportedly because company boss Sidney Bernstein was unhappy with the way the animation in the original variant portrayed his company.

FX/SFX: The arrow going up in the animated version, but none for the static version.

Music/Sounds: None to accompany either variant; Granada were renowned for producing logos without any accompanying jingle until the late 1980s.

Availability: Both the animated and static variants are extinct. So far, this has only been known to have appeared on the program What the Papers Say.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1956-1968)

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Nicknames: "From the North" "Big Arrow" "Northward Arrow"

Logo: On a grey background, a black arrow moves upwards from the bottom of the screen. When it gets near the top it stops, and the words "from the North" appear in italics. Then, seven white squares spin round to face the viewer. Each square has a black letter on it forming the word "GRANADA" (in the same font as before, but italics). After that the word 'PRESENTS' appears letter by letter.

Accompanying clock ident: An analog clock is used with a full set of numbers, spokes for each minute, and is foil-printed directly onto a cloudy background. Originally, the second hand was a sweeping-type and the numbers were displayed in a serif font, but were changed to a sans-serif font and a juttering-type second hand in the mid-60s.

Variants: A static variant was being used by the end of the 1950s.

• A rare version exists where the logo is reanimated, the arrow is thicker than before, the “From the North” text is replaced with “From round the Globe”. And the “PRESENTS” text just appears instead of appearing letter by letter.
• An inverted version exists.
• A version exists where a “TRAVELLING EYE” text is added above the “PRESENTS” text, this was only used on Outside Broadcast programs made by Granada around this time. A superimposed version of this version also exists.
• A version exists where the logo is seen on a curtain, than a Jester pops out of it and looks around.
• A version exists where the logo is on a grey background instead of a black one.
• A rare Welsh variant exists, where the “From the North” and “Presents” text are in Welsh.

FX/SFX: The arrow going upwards, and the squares spinning in the animated version. None for the static version.

Music/Sounds: None, or the opening and closing of the show’s music.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo (1959-1964)

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Nicknames: "From the North II" "The Arrow that isn’t pointing North"

Logo: A map of Great Britain is shown on the left of the screen, with most of the remainder being just a grey background. A black arrow points to the company's base. Above the arrow are the "GRANADA" squares from the previous logo, while "presents" is written in white below it.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None, or just the opening or closing of the show’s music.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (1968-1969)

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Logo: We simply see the word "GRANADA", in Clarendon and with a drop-shadow, between two horizontal black lines on a grey background.

Variant: An animated variant is known to exist, which was used only before local programmes.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None, or just the opening or closing of the show’s music.

Availability: Near extinction.

• It appeared on programmes like Nice Time, Big Breadwinner Hog, and Football.
• It might’ve appeared on 1960s episodes of Coronation Street, but, just like the 2nd and 3rd logos, it has also been affected by plastering, so it may be hard to find.

Editor's Note: None.

5th Logo (1968-1990)

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Nickname: "G-Arrow"

Logo: On a black background, the word "GRANADA" is written in the same typeface and colour as before. Below the word we see Granada's symbol, which is a letter "G" with an arrow pointing upward from the end of its middle line. This is also in white.

Trivia: Although the symbol was used in 1968, it was not copyrighted until 1971.

Accompanying clock ident: Starting in the mid '70s, a analog clock with a thick ring of colour surrounding it is seen, along with a Granada logo below it (contained in a box), "GRANADA" text, and a underline as well. The colour combination differs greatly from time to time, ranging from black BG/white and green ring to blue BG/white and yellow ring. Starting in 1985, the background is black with a yellow ring, though the lower section is blue and has the Granada logo in yellow and "GRANADA" beside it, and even had a "transparent" variant. In 1987, the clock was changed one final time, turning it into a digital clock with no ring, a black/blue graident background, and the silver "GRANADA" text below it, though it was also white during the final year of its usage.

Variants: There were several variants:

• A version exists where the background is white and the word "GRANADA" and the symbol are black.
• From 1969 onward, with the advent of colour television, the background was made blue and the "G/Arrow" symbol was made yellow.
• There exists a colour version where "GRANADA" is yellow and the "G/Arrow" symbol is white.
• Some season variants exist, with a different colour scheme depending on what season is currently was when in use.
• From 1986-1987, The ident was upgraded with a blue gradient background, and the word "GRANADA" and the "G/Arrow" symbol were rendered in gold.
• From 1987-1989, the word and the symbol became platinum instead of gold.
• After 1989, the word and the symbol changed back to white and yellow, but upgraded with a purple gradient background.
• During Christmas time, a version of the logo covered in holly and rendered in gold was used. "Christmas on" in a Roman font is displayed above the word "GRANADA".

FX/SFX: None, although the Christmas variant has some shining/twinkling effects.

Music/Sounds: None, the continuity announcer, or the closing theme. Also uses startup and closedown music with "Drifting" (by Kevin Peek), "Easy Go" (by Nick Glennie-Smith) and "New Station March" (by Keith Mansfield).

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

6th Logo (1986)

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NOTE: The logo appears at 0:27.

Nicknames: "Happy 30th Birthday, Granada!", "G-Arrow II"

Logo: On a black background, we see several close-up shots of a birthday cake that turns out to be in the shape of the Granada symbol. We then see the entire cake and the Granada logotype fading in below it, together with two white lines below the logotype, each drawing out a digit of the number "30" in a stylised italic font.

FX/SFX: The lines drawing out the "30".

Music/Sounds: A celebratory fanfare.

Availability: Extinct, like other anniversary logos of the past.

Editor's Note: None.

7th Logo (1986)

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Nicknames: "Turning G", "G-Arrow III"

Logo: On a gradient blue background, we see a yellow trail forming the Granada symbol. The Granada logotype fades in above.

Variants:

• Sometimes, the background will be pixelated.
• An extended version has the 2nd logo appear on a black background before zooming into the camera and transitioning into the trail animation.

FX/SFX: The trail forming the symbol.

Music/Sounds: A cheerful synth fanfare not dissimilar to the one in the 6th logo.

Availability: Extinct. This logo was also used only for Granada's 30th anniversary.

Editor's Note: None.

8th Logo (1989-1990)

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Nickname: "G-Arrow IV"

Logo: We see some sped up footage of a cloudy sky while a transparent version of Granada's symbol unfolds from the centre of the screen.

Accompanying clock ident: On a different cloudy sky, a red digital clock can be seen in the centre, along with "GRANADA" below in gold. The Granada logo can be seen poking out on the left, containing an image of a hot air balloon in it.

Variant: Sometimes we see a bank and some barbed wire fence against the cloudy sky.

FX/SFX: The symbol unfolding.

Music/Sounds: A dreamy synth cue. This is a sped up version of part of a library music piece that was also used by the IBA to precede their engineering announcements during the 1980s.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

9th Logo (1989)

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Nickname: "G-Arrow V"

Logo: On a blue background, we see a bunch of paper dolls circling around. Behind them is the famous "Arrow G" made out of gold snowflakes. The word "GRANADA" appears.

FX/SFX: The paper dolls.

Music/Sounds: Same as the 8th logo followed by an announcer.

Availability: Extinct. Only seen during the 1989 Christmas season.

Editor's Note: None.

10th Logo (1989)

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Nicknames: "Granada in the North West", "G-Arrow VI"

Logo: Over an implied globe showing Granada's broadcast area, a two-dimensional ring containing people's faces floats in from the top left corner of the screen. A north-pointing arrow, in a similar style, then comes in from the bottom. As the arrow positions itself on the top of the ring, two right-angled triangles, coloured gradient turquoise and forming a rectangle with a diagonal from the top left to the bottom right, rotate into view behind them. The arrow and ring then turn into the Granada symbol, coloured red, and as this happens, the logo zooms out and a gradient grey background fades in in place of the globe. Finally, a white flash moves through the aforementioned diagonal from the bottom right, filling it in in the same colour, before a large red arrowhead fades in at the top left; at the same time the lines "GRANADA" and "in the North West", in an italic serif font, fade in below the logo.

FX/SFX: The arrow and ring floating and turning into the Granada symbol, the triangles rotating into view, and the white flash filling in the diagonal between the triangles.

Music/Sounds: A simple brass fanfare, complete with a violin and synthesised drumbeats.

Availability: Extinct. This logo was used only locally.

Editor's Note: None.

11th Logo (1989)

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Note: This ident was never used on air.

Nickname: "ITV Generic"

Logo: See ITV for description.

12th Logo (June 4, 1990-January 1, 1995)

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Nicknames: "The Stripe", "G-Arrow VII"

Logo:

• 1990-1991: On a white background, a blue stripe descends from the top of the screen. When it gets slightly beyond the middle of the screen, it stops and the symbol fades onto the stripe. Shortly afterwards the word "GRANADA" fades in at the bottom of the screen.
• 1991-1992: The "G" is changed to dark blue, and the background is different as well.
• 1992-1995: Same as the 1989 version, but the stripe starts out in a rainbow colour before changing to dark blue.

Variants:

• There was a special autumn version with a leaf falling and morphing into the stripe.
• A Christmas version had the stripe replaced with a swaying gift tag.
• A North West version had a stripe with North West scenes that zooms out. The stripe forms part of the text "NORTH WEST".
• A version with the number "888" below the logo preceded shows with subtitles.
• A special Olympics variant was used during Manchester's Submission for the 2000 Olympic games in 1992.

FX/SFX: The stripe descending and the symbol and word fading in. More subtle than other ITV idents of the time, but does not look cheesy. The production variant is still.

Music/Sounds: Same as the 8th logo, from 1991 on it was played on a celesta. The production variant is silent.

Availability: Extinct.

• By this time, ITV regional symbols were only used in the region they served.

Editor's Note: None.

13th Logo (1994-1995)

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Nicknames: "The Stripe V", "The Stripe Flag", "Granada Flag", "G-Arrow XI"

Logo: A scene that takes place somewhere in the North West of England is shown before a flag with the Granada logo appears. The slogan "SETTING THE STANDARD" appears before the logo.

Variants: Many variants were used during the logo's short lifetime.

FX/SFX: All live action.

Music/Sounds: A newly composed jingle that varied in style from variant to variant.

Availability: Extinct. Was used in conjunction with the 12th logo mainly as a promotional sting, but sometimes served as a local ident.

Editor's Note: None.

14th Logo (January 2, 1995-2001)

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Nicknames: "The Stripe VI", "G-Arrow XII"

Logo: On a blue and purple abstract background, a large silvery version of the symbol flies away from the viewer and onto a metallic version of the stripe that fades in before the symbol lands on it.

FX/SFX: The background is CGI, but the symbol is actually made of perspex and shot using a camera, and keyed into the logo. Either way, it's really good. The production variants are still.

Music/Sounds: An orchestrated version of the last few notes of the jingle to the 15th logo. The production variants either used none or the closing theme.

Availability: Extinct; was only used as a local ID until November 7, 1999.

Editor's Note: None.

15th Logo (September 1996-November 7, 1999)

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Nickname: "G-Arrow XIII"

Logo: The main focus is the Granada Arrow symbol appearing itself in several different environments.

Variants:

• Locomotive: We see can a small model train turning in the turntable, then the train starts riding along the tracks and then the scene switches inside the train but it quickly switches into another scene which it moves around in a circle which it zooms out and reveals the tracks are in the shape of the Granada Arrow symbol.
• Rocket: We see a gold rocket with the door open on a planet. The door closes and the symbol shaped lock turn itself to align with the arrow. The rocket takes off from the planet leaving behind a smoldering Granada symbol burn mark on the ground where the camera zooms towards.
• Fish: In the water we can see a goldfish, then he blows out a bubble coming out of its mouth which its actually the Granada Arrow appering in gold inside, then the camera goes above as we pan away from the fish and it reveals the Granada logo emerging from the sea and appears in a sky blue background with clouds moving and the sun's rays with the Granada symbol is moving around in the ocean.
• Ice: We see a man walking towards the ice covered, and scrapes some of it off leaving behind the Granada symbol hole.
• Break bumper: We see a black glass Granada symbol shining with the orange light beam turning anti clockwise.
• Eye: We see a woman standing in front of the TV set and the camera zooms towards her right eye and she blinks revealing the Granada symbol in the iris.
• Soap: We see a shot of the man's hand hanging a rope and the next shot reveals the same man wiping some of the steam off the glass panel revealing the Granada symbol shaped soap hanging on a rope as the camera zooms towards it.
• Art: In an art museum we see a red, blue and green painting on the wall and the camera pans and zooms towards a sculpture that has the "O" shape and hole at the top. We can also see through the hole where the Granada symbol in red and yellow appears on the painting.
• Football: We see the Granada symbol now in white and dressed in a blue football kit, receiving a football and heading out of the camera shot.
• Formula 1: We see a few race cars speeding down a track, leaving behind Granada symbol shaped sparkles on the ground.

FX/SFX: Either live action, CGI or stop motion.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: TBA

Editor's Note: None.

16th Logo (November 8, 1999-October 27, 2002)

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Nicknames: "TV From The Heart" "ITV Generic 2" "G-Arrow XIV"

Variants:

• From December 13, 1999 to 2000, the G-Wizz URL appears on the bottom right of the screen reading "www.g-wizz.net/granadatv".
• From 2000 to 2001, the URL was changed to "www.granada-tv.com".

See ITV for description.

External Links

• Granada Television on TVARK