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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}}
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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", with it 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 theme 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. This logo was animated 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 are 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, along 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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