Meridian Television was the holder of the ITV franchise in the South East of England. The station was launched on January 1, 1993, replacing TVS. It was sold to Granada in 2000, which later renamed it ITV Meridian in 2002, and since 2004, it became an in-name-only unit of ITV.
1st Logo (January 1, 1993-2002)
Logo: On a background of black, blue and yellow-orange colors (depending on the show), we see an abstract sun and moon combination with a face (yellow with a purple eye and red-orange rays on the left side, and purple with a yellow eye on the right side). Below the symbol is, in most cases, the following text:
M E R I D I A N A MERIDIAN PRESENTATION/PROGRAMME FOR ITV ("ITV" is represented by its then-current logo (introduced in 1989))
Variants:
In some cases, the text might say "A Meridian presentation" or "MERIDIAN PROGRAMME" instead.
On some shows including episodes of Zzzap (which was aimed at the hearing-impaired), the logo is displayed either under or to the left side of United Productions' logo (a conjoined, lowercase "U" and "N"), while on other Zzzap episodes, the logo of The Media Merchants (the first word is orientated vertically) and a blue explosion with the yellow word "PRODUCTION" in it, similar to the words that appeared on screen in that show, are above.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: The end theme of the show.
Music/Sounds Variant:
On Art Attack, the "springing" sound which was always heard at the end of the show is used.
The Zzzap variant also has the electrical buzzing sound that was heard at the end of every episode's scene, although its intended viewers could not hear it.
Availability: Seen at the end of Meridian programs like How 2, Wizadora, Zzzap, Delta Wave, Sooty's Amazing Adventures, Ruth Rendell Mysteries (starting from season 7) and Hornblower movies.
Editor's Note: None.
2nd Logo (January 1, 1993-September 1996)
Logo: An explosion of light occurs and we see blue and yellow-orange colors radiating from the screen. Two rows of crystalline sun rays revolve into place, forming the sun/moon logo from before. The background is then divided into yellow on the left and blue on the right. "MERIDIAN", in purple, appears at the bottom. Occasionally, "STEREO" (for programmes with stereo sound), and "888" (for programmes with subtitles) would be indicated in the top-right corner.
Variant: During the night hours, the finished product would be shown first, then the main animation was played in reverse, and then played forwards again.
FX/SFX: The colors radiating, and the forming of the logo. Really nice computer-generated effects here, which continue to hold up over twenty years later.
Music/Sounds: An uplifting fanfare with a four-note horn sounder, which faded out once the logo had fully formed up and the "STEREO/888" text appeared.
Music/Sounds Variant: A more soothing rendition of the fanfare, which had a piano in place of the horn, was sometimes used. Other times it used a reggae version of the theme (mainly at weekends) - and all three renditions were composed by David Dundas, who previously composed the "ITV Generic" theme.
Availability: Extinct. However, logo enthusiasts have, much like the logos of many other ITV regional franchises, preserved this on websites such as TVArk.
Editor's Note: Some people might be caught off-guard by the sudden appearances of the rows of crystalline sun rays at the start of the normal variant.
3rd Logo (September 1996-October 4, 1998)
Logo: On a moving pink and purple striped background, we see a purple bubble with yellow dust particles following suit. Both objects form the usual Meridian sun/moon logo with the "MERIDIAN" text below in white.
Variants:
"888" would also occasionally appear for shows with subtitles.
Sometimes, the 1989 ITV logo would also appear in the top left corner as well.
FX/SFX: The bubble and particles' movements, the formation of the Meridian logo, and the moving striped background.
Music/Sounds: A remix of the Meridian fanfare from before with electronic beeping. A softer rendition of the theme was used for certain, more "serious" programs (such as the Meridian News), and a different version was used at night-time.
Availability: Same as the second logo.
Editor's Note: This logo is very peaceful, but some people could get caught off guard by the abruptness.
4th Logo (October 5, 1998-November 7, 1999)
Logo: On a bright yellow/orange background, we see the Meridian sun/moon logo rotating into place from the left side of the screen. The words "MERIDIAN" fade in at the bottom right.
Variants:
"888" (later changed to "Subtitles" beginning in May 1999) would also occasionally appear in the top-right (for shows with subtitles).
Starting in May 1999, the 1998 ITV logo also fades in beneath the words "MERIDIAN".
FX/SFX: The Meridian logo revolving into place, and the text appearing. But on this occasion, the symbol's "face" is slightly out of proportion.
Music/Sounds: Same as the third logo.
Availability: Same as the second and third logos.
Editor's Note: It may be less abrupt than before, but some people may still get caught off guard by the logo rotating into place and the music.
Logo: We see the common purple Granada-style background (also used for LWT and Yorkshire), filled with shadowy copies of Meridian symbol, with the actual Meridian logo in the square. Underneath the square reads "A Meridian Production" with the Granada logo appearing below the text.
Variants:
It sometimes shares the screen with other logos.
A 4:3 version of this logos exists.
On Daddy's Girl the logo is squished up except the
The text may change depending on the show.
On Hornblower the Meridian square is next to the A&E Network logo and the text underneath now reads A Meridian Production in association with A&E Network.
On Doodlebug Summer the same square appears next to the LWT square and the text now reads either "A Meridian/LWT Co-Production" or "A LWT/Meridian Co-Production" and appears in either this background with the Meridian logos or the background with the LWT logos.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None or the ending theme of the show.
Availability: Uncommon, used for production during the years of takeover by Granada. Appeared on seasons 1 and 2 of The Last Detective, William & Mary and the latter Hornblower movies. However, it can be plastered with Granada or ITV logos on future releases.
