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{{About|the original incarnation of Viacom|the current (2005-present) incarnation
{{PageCredits|description=Jason Jones, James Fabiano, Cameron McCaffrey, WileE2005, Jess Williams, BenIsRandom, LARDLOGORETURNS, Yoshidude987 and indycar|capture=AsdfTheRevival, Shadeed A. Kelly, V of Doom, Eric S., Miste Suitcase, mr3urious, Mr. Logo Lord, ASja2002, Dean Stewart Rumsey, Mr.Logo, wisp2007, BenderRoblox, Blatch-O, LogoGuy94, Derrick Anderson, Gilblitz112, TrickyMario7654, Pygmalion X, Sagan Blob, bdalbor, TheEriccorpinc, ClosingLogosHD, Mister Suitcase, BenIsRandom and BudTheChud1989|edits=Donny Pearson, Nathan B., Shadeed A. Kelly, V of Doom, WizardDuck, Bob Fish, Optimus Prime 2000, MrThorax281, BenderRoblox, ClosingLogoLover, tbone2004, MariluHennerArtist45, PluMGMK, KaratePianoLogoNerd, KirbyGuy2001, BenIsRandom, indycar, MattBr, GoAnimateFan199Pro, Unnepad, ThatRandomOshawott, DisneyInternationalFan, Michael Kenchington, CrazySpruiker2001, BaldiBasicsFan and KosMir|video=ASja2002, Dean Stewart Rumsey, narutofire3, mcydodge919, PluMGMK, Steve Grayson, TVLOGOS708090, Eric S, travis7310, TheVintageTVArchive, bdalbortvclosings&more, BenIsRandom, BudTheChud1989, Broken Saw, Mayfield Entertainment, GuateLogos, theRafaMarc a.k.a. RM, Ryan Holman, TheEriccorpinc, Luke2505, Hb1290 Logos, Plasma Storm, and LogicSmash}}
{{Infobox company
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a purple background, the letter "'''{{small|V}}'''" slides in from the right of the screen, settling in the left-hand side. Then the text "'''i{{small|A}}'''" slides in, settling beside the "'''{{Small|V}}'''". When this happens, the color of the background changes to
'''Trivia:''' The logo is actually in the same font as ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' logo, Peignot.
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* This logo can also be found on earlier 16mm syndication dupes of shows/movies distributed by Viacom, mostly before 1976, which occasionally appear on eBay. Such shows include: ''My Three Sons'', ''Hogan's Heroes'', and ''The Beverly Hillbillies''.
* This logo is also preserved at the end of a 16mm print of the ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' episode "What the Hex Going On?" from South Africa, following the 1969 [[Hanna-Barbera]] "Multiplying Rectangles" logo.
* This logo can also be seen on some older prints of episodes of ''Whirlybirds'', ''Petticoat Junction'', pre-mid-1970s prints of ''The Rookies'' (which is now with Sony Pictures Television), ''Family Affair'', ''The Houndcats'', the Canadian produced TV series ''The Amazing World of Kreskin'', and foreign prints of ''The Banana Splits and Friends Show'', ''Josie and the Pussycats'', ''Wacky Races'', ''Dastardly & Muttley in Their Flying Machines'', ''The Perils of Penelope Pitstop'', ''The Roman Holidays'', ''The Harlem Globetrotters'', among others; that includes 16mm kinescopes.
* Only a small amount of home media releases retain this logo.
** At least one VHS release of ''The Houndcats'' has this logo (that one being the UAV Corporation release), but it is unknown how many more have it, including releases from [[Trans World Entertainment]], or the current DVD releases.
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Viacom V0D (Videotaped, Color).png|Videotaped version in color
Viacom Enterprises (1978, Orange Videotaped).jpg|Orange videotaped version
Viacom
Viacom Enterprises V of Moon.png|Honeymooners version 2
Viacom Enterprises (1985, WPIX Variant).png| WPIX Honeymooners version
Viacom Enterprises (lime) (1978).png|Lime version
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a sky blue (or lavender) background, the text "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''A Viacom Presentation'''}}" in a Palatino-like typeface zooms in from the center of the screen at a very fast pace, then stops abruptly (on the filmed variant) when it gets near the screen. Then, a stylized
'''Variants:'''
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* '''Videotaped Variants:'''
** The logo has seen several different <u>color variants</u> appear. Color variants include
** A videotaped variant featuring a
*** One variant has the "'''V'''" almost entirely colored yellow, while another retains some blue in the edges. In the latter's case, the moon has a yellow border around it.
** There is also a variant with a <u>{{color|lawngreen|jungle green}} background</u> and a <u>{{color|green|Charleston green}} "{{color|green|'''V'''}}"</u>.▼
*** A corrected version of this was seen on a WPIX airing of ''The Honeymooners Special II''.
** There is a rumored <u>purple</u> variant where the background is lavender and the {{color|darkviolet|'''V'''}} is purple.▼
▲** There is also a variant with a <u>
▲** There is a rumored <u>purple</u> variant where the background is lavender and the
** A videotaped variant of this logo has an orange background and a {{color|midnightblue|midnight blue}} "{{color|midnightblue|'''V'''}}" seen on <u>1978 episodes of ''You Don't Say!''</u>. There is also a <u>warp speed</u> version of this.▼
** A
▲** A videotaped variant of this logo has an orange background and a
** A videotaped variant with the logo superimposed in a circle over a moving starfield background was used on the short-lived series ''<u>Hot City</u>''.
** A "warp-speed" videotaped variation where the logo and music are sped up exists. This was used alongside co-distributor logos and was seen from <u>1979-1986</u>.
** A variant where the "
** A videotaped variant with a
** A high pitched, slightly sped
'''Technique:'''
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'''Audio:''' Here are the main music variants used on this logo:
* Usually, the music used is a five-note synthesized fanfare (composed on an ARP Odyssey synth), complete with a timpani drum roll playing throughout with a final, rather loud pound at the end. This was composed by Viacom’s music director at the time. Even after the logo fades (or cuts) to black, the timpani's echo can still be heard. It is different for both the filmed and videotaped variants, with the audio quality being clearer for the latter.
* The very first version of this logo featured the "Pinball" music from the first logo as a placeholder and was used eventually until late 1978 (and was also often used when replacing the original "Pinball" logo, possibly a bad plastering error). This variant is known as the "V of Pinball".
* '''1976-1981:''' The very first version of the normal 1976 music was slightly faster-paced and low-pitched. This was used on the black and white and early color variants of the logo, and it was also used in tandem with the standard filmed variant from the mid-to-late 1970s.
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** This logo was also seen on the original broadcasts of ''Family Feud''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first syndicated run (where it was preceded by in-credit text), but does not appear to have ever been retained in repeat airings.
** This also made appearances on Sky Go New Zealand prints of some episodes of ''All in the Family'' (such as season 1 episode 2).
* '''''Silent Variant'':'''
** It can be found on old VHS releases of the 1963 movie ''Fun in Acapulco'' and the 1966 movie ''Paradise, Hawaiian Style'' from Magnetic Video (both of which plaster over the [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] logo at the end of the film, though the Spanish-dubbed version, as well as the 1985 Key Video reprint (In English) of the latter film uses the standard "V of Doom" music), the 1974 TV movie ''The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'' from [[Prism Entertainment]], and the 1976 movie ''The Amazing World of Psychic Phenomena''.
** It is also retained on the 1985 Key Video re-issue of ''Fun in Acapulco''.
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'''Visuals:'''
* '''Opening:''' On a black background, a "'''V'''" rotates towards the center of the screen in a
* '''Closing:''' At the end of the reel, a "
'''Technique:''' Motion-controlled animation.
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' The logo starts in outer space. The words "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''Special'''''}}" and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''Delivery'''''}}" streak through the sun in the background, leaving a
'''Variants:'''
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a black background is a still image of the Viacom "
'''Variant:''' On ''Really Weird Tales'', the "
'''Technique:''' A still graphic.
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'''Visuals:'''
* '''Opening:''' Against a space background with twinkling stars, a metallic steel outline of the Viacom "'''V'''" and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" in its familiar Palatino-like font zoom back with a metallic steel trail effect. The trail effect finishes as the "'''V'''" turns solid and metallic and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" turns solid
* '''Closing:''' Against a city skyline with a purple night sky with most of the building's lights switched on and twinkling stars (a colorized version of the city from the opening credits of ''The Honeymooners''), the metallic textured "
'''Variant:''' An extended version of the closing variant exists on the <u>sales tape for ''The Lost Honeymooners''</u>, where the logo shines multiple times after completing.
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' The logo starts out with a screen that's divided in two, with a black/purple gradient on top and silver on the bottom, with a bright light flare shining between. The silver part then rotates counter-clockwise (a la [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment#CBS/Fox Video|CBS/Fox Video]]), revealing it is a steel version of the "
'''Variants:'''
* A couple of <u>"warp-speed" versions</u> exist, the first of which is a slower version of the regular jingle and the second of which is an ultra warp speed version (featuring a higher pitched jingle), can be seen on various programs, if they haven't been plastered.
* <u>VHS releases containing this logo</u> and <u>select TV broadcasts</u> have the "
* A warp speed version of the three shines variant exists, which was seen on the <u>syndicated version of ''Super Sloppy Double Dare''</u>.
* A variant where the <u>"
* A <u>still</u> variant also exists.
* A variant where the "
* On the <u>1987 ''Celebrity Double Dare'' pilot</u>, the logo is revealed with a computer-generated effect before animating.
* A <u>B&W variant</u> of the logo exists, which is used on B&W shows.
* Another <u>sped-up variant</u> of this logo with the music at the normal speed exists.
* A variant which plays at a <u>slightly slower speed</u> also exists.
* On <u>Fox's ''Family Double Dare''</u>, the logo fades in after the Nickelodeon logo, with the "
* A variant where both the "
* One version had a
* Another version cuts to when the "
* A variant where the logo starts off in black and white, but quickly changes to color also exists, which was spotted on a <u>1988 rerun of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' on TBS Superstation</u>.
* The <u>British [[Braveworld|Braveworld Video]] VHS release of ''King Creole''</u> has a variant that cuts off the first or so second from the logo.
* On an <u>episode of ''The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams'' on GetTV</u>, the logo starts fading during the second time it shines.
* On <u>some episodes of 1990s TBS Superstation airings of ''Perry Mason''</u>, the logo is colored
* On the <u>1988 Milwaukee Public Access (Viacom) parody of ''Star Trek'' titled ''Far Trek''</u>, cheap text in red that says "COMMUNITY ACCESS NORTHSHORE" fades in.
'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''Audio:''' A series of pindrop-like synth notes and a high synth drone, later joined by a descending synth chord, and a "glittery" noise for when the "'''
'''Audio Variants:'''
* In some cases, it uses only the <u>closing theme of the show</u> or <u>none</u>.
* Some episodes of <u>''Cannon'' and ''Perry Mason'' on Me-TV</u> have/had the "V of Doom" music playing over this (MeTV later received updated CBSTD prints of the aforementioned episodes of both, though the aforementioned Perry Mason prints have since resurfaced on FETV).
* <u>Some episodes of ''Gunsmoke'', ''Matlock'' (seasons 1-4)</u>, and <u>one episode of ''Hogan's Heroes'' (seen in Australia)</u> have the 1990 "Wigga-Wigga" music playing over this. A <u>Russian print of the ''Father Dowling Mysteries''
* A variant of the extended warp-speed (three wipes) variant includes a voice-over, which was seen on a <u>sales tape for the un-aired game show ''I Predict''</u>. As the logo animates, the voice-over is heard saying: "A Ron Greenberg Production, in association with Viacom." (Pronounced "Vee-a-com", similar to Sandy Hoyt on ''Split Second'').
* On a <u>late-1980s print of the movie ''Running''</u>, the normal variant features two very faint copies of the theme playing and overlapping each other that are both off-sync with the animation, making them continue long after the logo fades to black.
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a shaded blue background, a
'''Trivia:'''
* This is often unofficially nicknamed as the "Wigga Wigga" logo, derived from the sounds heard as the zig-zag line appears.
* Many people think the announcer is mispronouncing the name Viacom. It is indeed pronounced with a long "i" sound, like in "pr<u>i</u>ze", although the original pronunciation of the name pre-1986 was indeed with a short "i" sound, like in "p<u>i</u>zza", hence Christopher Plummer's pronunciation as "vee-a-com".
'''Variants:'''
* There is a filmed variant seen on some <u>TV movies from the era</u>, like the 1996 ''Sabrina, the Teenage Witch'' television movie. Also seen on a British rerun as well as the Russian CBS Drama channel airing of the ''Father Dowling Mysteries'' season 2 episode "The Ghost of a Chance Mystery", which plastered over the "V of Steel" logo.
* Several shows have the name already formed during the <u>later years</u>, with the only animation being the shining of the letters.
* There is a text variation on this logo for Viacom Productions. It has the "
* On original ABC broadcasts and on reruns of the ''Sabrina, the Teenage Witch'' pilot on ABC Family (now Freeform), The Hub (now Discovery Family), Antenna TV, and Pluto TV, this logo is <u>still</u> (a la the 1985 "V of Happiness" logo), on re-runs on said networks, it is followed by the 2003 [[Paramount Television (1967-2006)|Paramount Domestic Television]] logo (but plastered on DVD and Paramount+ by the CBS/Paramount "Eye In The Sky" logo).
* A black & white version of this exists on some prints of <u>older B&W shows</u> (
* On the 1997 TV movie ''<u>The Right Connections</u>'', the words "in association with" are seen over the logo's background, then fades out when the animation starts. It was also spotted on another TV movie, ''<u>In the Doghouse</u>'' (1998), as well as the short-lived UPN series from 1995, ''<u>Deadly Games</u>''.
* On <u>WPIX's print of the ''Honeymooners'' episode "The Sleepwalker"</u>, the logo freezes before it is fully formed. The audio is also distorted in this variant. It's likely an error in production.
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* On the 1998 TV movie ''<u>Inferno</u>'' and the 1999 TV movie ''<u>The Apartment Complex</u>'', the Productions variant has the text "{{Font|Times New Roman|''Viacom Productions, Inc. Exclusive Distributor''}}" in two lines below.
'''Technique:''' 2D motion-controlled animation
'''Audio:''' Again, there have been several musical variations accompanied with a male voiceover saying "Viacom" near the end:
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</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a smoky blue background, the letters of "
'''Variants:'''
* A <u>still</u> version of this logo exists (a la the 1985 "V of Happiness" logo).
* Starting in <u>2002</u>, the logo is slightly enhanced. The word "
* Sometimes on the 2002 version, <u>"in association with"</u> spreads out above.
* Multiple <u>16:9 variants</u> (usually of the 2002 version) exist - one stretched from 4:3, one cropped to 16:9 (seen on <u>widescreen movies and shows</u>), and a native 16:9 version. The cropped version may also be zoomed out with borders (to account for the two aspect ratios).
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[[Category:Logos that vary depending on the source]]
[[Category:Logos with music by Michael Rubin]]
[[Category:English-language logos]]
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Viacom Enterprises was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1952 as CBS Television Film Sales, later renamed to CBS Films in 1958, CBS Enterprises, Inc. in 1968, then to Viacom in 1970. In 1971, it was spun-off to comply with FCC regulations prohibiting television networks from distributing their programs under their own names. Subsequently, Viacom formed "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks.
The company was popular during the 1970s and 1980s, originally distributing CBS-produced shows such as I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show. In later years, they've distributed shows from numerous other production companies, including MTM Enterprises, Filmways Television, Carsey/Werner, Lorimar Television, Rankin/Bass, and Hanna-Barbera (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several Four Star shows, and early Nelvana TV specials, as well as most movie releases from Romulus Films, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Tomorrow Entertainment, Regency Enterprises, New World Pictures (until 1984), Orion Pictures, New Line Cinema, EMI Films, Cannon Films, and the Terrytoons library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1971, Viacom and its production division formed "Viacom International, Inc." as their new parent company for distributing programs overseas.
Within a decade, Viacom was bought by cinema chain National Amusements, becoming part of the newly-reincorporated "Viacom, Inc." On January 1, 1990, as part of a restructuring, Viacom Pictures was formed. On March 11, 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, Inc. and Viacom Enterprises was folded into Paramount Domestic Television (later "CBS Television Distribution" and now "CBS Media Ventures"), by transferring the domestic rights of the Viacom library. Viacom International was later reorganized as the parent company of MTV Networks and Showtime Networks. Viacom transferred the international rights of the said library into Paramount International Television, while Viacom Productions was reincorporated as a production sub-division of Paramount Television. The Viacom Enterprises logo of the era was still used for "Viacom Productions" with an updated variant, and would remain until 1999, receiving another update to the logo to reflect the company's new status after merging with former parent company CBS. The 1999-2004 Viacom logo would be its last, as the final two series to end under the Viacom Productions name would be Ed and The Division.
In light of serious financial troubles brought on to Viacom, the production unit was folded into Paramount Network Television (now "CBS Studios") in 2004. Paramount took control of the remaining Viacom-produced series in 2005. On December 31 of that year, Viacom was reincorporated as "CBS Corporation", ceasing to exist officially. A "new" Viacom was established on the same day, as the holding company for Paramount Pictures, the MTV Networks, BET Networks, and their non-television firms. By 2009, most Viacom-distributed TV productions were distributed under CBS Media Ventures (formerly "CBS Paramount Domestic Television" and "CBS Television Distribution") and outside the U.S. under Paramount Global Content Distribution (formerly "CBS Paramount International Television" and "CBS Studios International"), while the previous Viacom-distributed movies, and some Viacom Domestic Media Networks TV shows were distributed by Paramount with U.S. over-the-air rights licensed to Trifecta Entertainment and Media. On December 4, 2019, Viacom and CBS re-merged, forming ViacomCBS. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed to Paramount Global, putting the Viacom name to rest after 51 years.
Before the Paramount purchase, Viacom titles were distributed on home video by Magnetic Video Corporation, CBS Video Enterprises (coincidental as Viacom would later own CBS), Warner Home Video, VidAmerica, Forum Home Video and U.S.A. Home Video, among others. A little known fact is that Viacom actually stands for "Visual Audio Communications".
Visuals: On a purple background, the letter "V" slides in from the right of the screen, settling in the left-hand side. Then the text "iA" slides in, settling beside the "V". When this happens, the color of the background changes to green. Then, the text "COM" slides in, settling beside "VIA" and changing the background to red. This forms the word "ViACOM". Finally, the word zooms out as the words "A" and "pRESENTATiON" fade in to the left and right of it, respectively, revealing the text in its entirety as the background changes to blue.
Trivia: The logo is actually in the same font as The Mary Tyler Moore Show logo, Peignot.
Variant: The logo is in B&W on early '70s prints of The Andy Griffith Show, Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Our Miss Brooks, The Phil Silvers Show, The Twilight Zone, and The Beverly Hillbillies, among other classic shows. It also appears on a VHS of The Andy Griffith Show released by Premier Promotions, titled The Andy Griffith Show Double Feature Volume 33.
Technique: Camera-controlled/cel animation.
Audio: Four synthesized pinball-like chimes that ascend in pitch. The first 3 play as each part of "ViACOM" slides in, and the last, which plays over the zoom-out, has a "zap" sound that blends in with the last bell, combined with a synth chord and gurgling, telephone-like sounds.
Audio Variants:
Availability:
Legacy: This logo isn't anywhere close to being as well known (or feared) as its successors, not only because of its short lifespan but also because it was commonly plastered with newer logos. The pinball sounds in this logo gave it the nickname "Pinball".
Visuals: On a sky blue (or lavender) background, the text "A Viacom Presentation" in a Palatino-like typeface zooms in from the center of the screen at a very fast pace, then stops abruptly (on the filmed variant) when it gets near the screen. Then, a stylized navy blue "V" (a downward trapezoid with a curved line in the near center) appears from the center. At first it is small, but the "V" starts to move gradually closer and closer towards the screen, almost to the point where it takes up nearly the entire frame. The logo then suddenly cuts to black or fades to black (depending on the version of the logo).
Variants:
Technique:
Audio: Here are the main music variants used on this logo:
Audio Variants:
Availability: Most shows that had this logo have been updated with either the "V of Steel" or "Wigga Wigga" logos, or those of Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television, or CBS Television Distribution. However, newer variants might be seen on local stations that show older Viacom shows, such as The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, Rawhide, Hogan's Heroes, The Twilight Zone, and Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C. All variants of the "V of Doom" (with the exception of the "V of Pinball" until evidence is found) can be seen on VHS tapes of The Andy Griffith Show released by various video outlets such as Premier Promotions and sometimes (though mostly the videotaped variant) by UAV Corporation.
Legacy: This logo gained a reputation as one of the scariest logos of all time when it was used, due to its animation and music (more so with the warp-speed and B&W variants), earning the unofficial nickname "V of Doom". Nonetheless, it has been known to be a memorable one for those who grew up with this logo, and has been a fan favorite in the community.
Visuals: On a sea green/dark blue background, a black "V" and the name "Viacom" zoom in together and stop smoothly once they take up most of the screen.
Variants:
Technique: Usually camera-controlled/cel animation, but for the still logo, a still, printed image.
Audio: Only the closing theme of the show or TV movie, or none.
Audio Variant: On some programs, a re-orchestrated/rearranged version of the previous logo's theme, punctuated by a steel-stringed guitar, is heard.
Availability: This logo was used for network television productions.
Visuals:
Technique: Motion-controlled animation.
Audio: The opening and closing themes of the syndie promo or none.
Availability: The only sighting that has come up is a sales tape for individual stations to purchase syndication rights for Viacom-owned shows. The tape used for the captures above is from a Hawaii Five-O sales tape.
Visuals: The logo starts in outer space. The words "Special" and "Delivery" streak through the sun in the background, leaving a rainbow trail. Then on a blue/black gradient background, the two words fly towards a stylized gold ring with wings and the familiar "V" from the 2nd logo on its base. "From Viacom" with "Viacom", bigger and set in its corporate font, also fly towards the ring, settling inside it. The logo then constantly shines, occasionally flashing. At the end, a firework flash effect emerges from the logo.
Variants:
Technique: Motion-controlled animation.
Audio: After a drum roll at the start, a majestic 13-note fanfare plays, with the last note held out. The last half plays for the short version, while it's extended for the long version.
Availability: It was seen on the 1984 Twilight Zone Silver Anniversary special, as well as mid-'80s prints of classic Rankin/Bass TV specials (including Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town), and some TV movies from the era, among others.
Visuals: On a black background is a still image of the Viacom "V" logo in blue, and the name "Viacom" in white below.
Variant: On Really Weird Tales, the "V" and name are smaller and colored orange.
Technique: A still graphic.
Audio: The closing theme of the show/TV movie or none.
Availability: This logo was used for network television productions, replacing the 3rd logo.
Visuals:
Variant: An extended version of the closing variant exists on the sales tape for The Lost Honeymooners, where the logo shines multiple times after completing.
Technique: Backlit/slit-scan animation.
Audio: The closing theme of the show. Promotional reels featured Christopher Plummer saying "...Because Viacom (pronounced as "Vee-a-Com") presents, for the very first time in syndication...".
Audio Variants: On some occasions, Plummer's voice is not used. Sometimes, when the closing theme or when the Viacom "V of Doom" music plays over the logo, he instead says "From Viacom" (once again pronouncing it as "vee-a-com").
Availability:
Visuals: The logo starts out with a screen that's divided in two, with a black/purple gradient on top and silver on the bottom, with a bright light flare shining between. The silver part then rotates counter-clockwise (a la CBS/Fox Video), revealing it is a steel version of the "V" logo as the background changes to a black/blue/purple gradient. The word "Viacom" flies in from the upper-left of the screen and settles underneath the "V", reflecting the text. The finished logo shines.
Variants:
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A series of pindrop-like synth notes and a high synth drone, later joined by a descending synth chord, and a "glittery" noise for when the "V" shines. The entire audio is slightly warped.
Audio Variants:
Availability:
Legacy: Its CGI makes this logo a favorite among the logo community. It is known by the fan nickname "V of Steel".
Visuals: On a shaded blue background, a silver "V" flies in from the bottom, and moves towards the left. As it does so, a zig-zag line comes out of it to form the other letters in the word "VIACOM". The logo is seen shining throughout. The individual letters separate from the zig-zag line, with the "A" and "M" still having the form of zig-zags. The completed logo then shines.
Trivia:
Variants:
Technique: 2D motion-controlled animation by Atlantic Motion Pictures.
Audio: Again, there have been several musical variations accompanied with a male voiceover saying "Viacom" near the end:
Audio Variants:
Availability: This logo is quite infamous for plastering the older Viacom logos. Many of the shows that had this logo have been updated with either the Paramount Domestic Television, the CBS Paramount Domestic or Network Television logos ("Eye in the Sky" or "Wallpaper") or CBS Television Distribution logos by now, especially on DVD releases, but it is still seen on some shows and TV movies.
Legacy: Another beloved logo by some for its CGI, music (especially on the International variant), and voice-over.
Visuals: On a smoky blue background, the letters of "VIACOM", in a clear glass font, appear stacked on top of each other, with the "V" in front and the "M" in back. The letters then shrink and spread out to form the word as normally read. The background is revealed to have the letters of the word rapidly fading and blurring in and out. After "VIACOM" settles in, the text "PRODUCTIONS}}" (in Futura Extra Bold) appears from the mist and moves up to settle below the text. The byline "a Paramount company" (in the Paramount Pictures logo's font) fades in below that, with a line above that separates the two.
Variants:
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
Audio Variants:
Availability:
Legacy: It's not a well-known logo like the previous ones, but it's considered another well-made logo with some really cool effects.
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