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===Background===
'''Viacom Enterprises''' was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1971 as the successor of the pre-1968 [[CBS Films]], later reincorporated as [[CBS Enterprises|CBS Enterprises, Inc.]] in 1968. In 1973, it was spun-off because it was against the FCC regulations for a television network to distribute its programs under its own name. 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]], [[The Carsey-Werner Company, LLC|Carsey/Werner]], [[Lorimar Television]], [[Rankin-Bass]], and [[Hanna-Barbera Cartoons|Hanna-Barbera]] (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several [[Four Star International|Four Star]] shows, and early [[Nelvana Limited (Canada)|Nelvana]] TV specials, as well as most movie releases from Romulus Films, [[Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions|Hallmark Hall of Fame]], [[Tomorrow Entertainment]], [[New World Pictures]] (until 1984), [[Orion Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]], [[Cannon Films]], and the [[Terrytoons]] library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1976, 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 Television (1967-2006)|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 Television Distribution (formerly "CBS Paramount Domestic Television") and outside the U.S. under [[CBS Studios International]] (formerly "CBS Paramount International Television"), 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
▲Before the Paramount purchase, Viacom titles were distributed on home video by [[Magnetic Video Corporation]], [[CBS Video|CBS Video Enterprises]], [[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 "'''Vi'''deo & '''A'''udio '''Com'''munications".
==CBS Films== <!--T:2-->
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Viacom Enterprises was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1971 as the successor of the pre-1968 CBS Films, later reincorporated as CBS Enterprises, Inc. in 1968. In 1973, it was spun-off because it was against the FCC regulations for a television network to distribute its programs under its own name. 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, New World Pictures (until 1984), Orion Pictures, New Line Cinema, Cannon Films, and the Terrytoons library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1976, 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 Television Distribution (formerly "CBS Paramount Domestic Television") and outside the U.S. under CBS Studios International (formerly "CBS Paramount International Television"), 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, 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 "Video & Audio Communications".
Logo: Just in-credit text that says "In association with CBS Films Inc." or "For CBS Films, Inc.".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: The closing theme to the program.
Availability: Extinct. Originally seen on various off-network produced programs, syndication prints of CBS Television Network and pre-1960 Desilu Productions programs such as I Love Lucy, Whirlybirds and the Terrytoons library.
Editor's Note: None.
Nicknames: "Pinball", "V-iA-COM", "V-iA-COM Pinball"
Logo: On a purple background, we see the word "ViACOM" in white sliding in from the right, with the background changing color as each part stops. First, the letter "V" slides in. Then "iA" slides in, changing the background to green. Then "COM" slides in, changing the background to red. When the word "ViACOM" is formed, the words "A" and "pRESENTATiON" appear to the left and right of the word "ViACOM", the background becomes blue, and the screen zooms out to reveal the text in its entirety.
Trivia: The logo is actually in the same font as The Mary Tyler Moore Show logo (called "Peignot").
Variants:
FX/SFX: The three portions of "ViACOM" sliding to the center from the left one by one, and the zoom out and appearances of "A" and "pRESENTATiON".
Music/Sounds: 4 synthesized ascending pinball-like chimes. The first 3 play as each part of "ViACOM" slides in, and the last, which plays over the zoom-out, has a zap-like "WHOOSH" that blends in with the last bell, combined with a synth chord and gurgling/telephone-like sounds.
Music/Sounds Variants:
Availability: Ultra rare, due to excessive plastering with later Viacom logos, Paramount Domestic Television logos, the CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television logos, and the CBS Television Distribution logos.
Editor's Note: The logo was standard for the early '70s with its simple and rough animation and eccentric sound effects. This logo isn't anywhere close to being as well known (or perhaps even feared) as its successors, not only because of its short lifespan but also because it was commonly plastered with newer logos.
This logo contains rapidly flashing images.
Please do not watch the videos of this logo if you are prone to seizures. |
Nicknames: "V of Doom", "Big V", "Zooming V", "Viacom V", "That V"
Logo: 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 to the screen. Then, a fancy-cut, navy blue "V" (a downward trapezoid with a curved line in the near center) zooms in from the center and moves gradually closer and closer to the screen. When it gets to the point where the "V" takes up nearly the entire screen, the screen suddenly cuts to black or fades to black (depending on the version of the logo), with the "V" presumably still moving ever closer.
Variants:
FX/SFX: Depending on the version:
Music/Sounds: Here are the main music variants used on this logo:
Music/Sounds Variants:
Availability: Uncommon, bordering on rare, but it has become a bit easier to find in the past few years. 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.
Editor's Note: One of the first (and by far one of the most popular) examples of a "scary" logo within the closing logo community, commonly referred to alongside "S from Hell", "The Mask Of Guo Xiang", the Klasky-Csupo "Super Scary Face" and the "THX Deep Note". Few children who grew up with this logo have fond memories of it, mostly due to the zooming "V" and bizarre, unnerving music. Adults, however, will likely find it to be harmless. Despite - or perhaps because of - its notoriety, it's become a fan favorite in the community, and although much more unnerving closing logos have been discovered since, it remains an important part of CLG history.
Nicknames: "Flashing V", "V of Rainbow", "Viacom V II"
Logo:
FX/SFX: The rotating of the "V" to the center, the colors lining out of the logo, the flash of "presents" and the "V", the zoom-in to the corner of the "V" in sync with the opening theme. The quick zoom-in to the center with a flash at the end of the reel.
Music/Sounds: The opening and closing themes of the syndie promo or none.
Availability: Extinct. 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.
Editor's Note: This is a very underrated and under-appreciated logo. If Viacom made any feature movies at the time, this was definitely the logo to go with (with or without the 'Presents' moniker). They already had some TV movies out, so this would have been perfect, yet they never used it.
Nicknames: "Special Delivery", "The Viacom Emblem", "Viacom V III", "Golden V"
Logo: We start off 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" in a bigger 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:
FX/SFX: The words streaking leaving a rainbow trail, and the firework flash.
Music/Sounds: 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: Extinct. 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.
Editor's Note: This is a beautiful and majestic logo with awesome Scanimate animation.
Nicknames: "V of Calm”, "Viacom V IV", "Friendly V", "V of Happiness"
Logo: On a black background, we see 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.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: The closing theme of the show/TV movie or none.
Availability: Ultra rare.
Editor's Note: This is either a calm or boring logo, depending on what you think about still logos.
Nicknames: "V in Space" (opening only), "V in the Big City" (closing only), "Early V of Steel", "Silver Viacom V", "Viacom V V", "Silver V"
Logo:
FX/SFX: For the opening variant, the trailing text, and the shining. For the closing variant, the trailing text, the "V" forming, and the shining.
Music/Sounds: The closing theme of the show. Promotional reels featured a voice over saying "Because Viacom (pronounced as "Vee-a-Com") presents, for the very first time in syndication...".
Availability: Extinct on television. It appeared on a sales tape for The Lost Honeymooners. The closing variant also appeared on Jackie Gleason Presents: the Honeymooners Reunion which has not been seen since its one and only airing in 1985.
Editor's Note: The Scanimate-like 3D effects on the logo are admirable, even if the results can look unconvincing. It's also a precursor to the next logo, which is described below.
Nicknames: "V of Steel", "Silver V II", "Rotating Silver V", "Shining Silver V", "Viacom V VI", "Silver Viacom V II"
Logo: We start 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 places itself under the "V", which shines.
Variants:
FX/SFX: The rotating "V", the "V" shining and the light flare behind the "V" illuminating in the background.
Music/Sounds: Pindrop-like synth notes, followed by a descending synth chord. The music shares a similar musical key as the "V of Doom".
Music/Sounds Variants:
Availability: Uncommon, bordering on rare in its unaltered form.
Editor's Note: This was a great effort that displayed some pretty good CGI for its time. It's also a favorite among the logo community.
Nicknames: "Wigga-Wigga", "\/|/\CO/\/\", "Zig-Zags of Steel", "Silver Zig-Zags"
Logo: On a shaded blue background, a silver "V" flies in from the bottom left and moves backwards. As it does so, a zig-zag line comes out of it to form the other letters in the word "VIACOM" (with the "V shining throughout), with the "A" and "M" still having the form of zig-zags. The completed logo, which kind of looks like "\/I/\CO/\/\", shines.
Trivia: Many people think the announcer is mispronouncing the name Viacom. It is indeed a long "i", like in "prize", although the original pronunciation of the name pre-1986 was indeed with a short "i", like in "pizza", hence the pronunciation "vee-a-com". Oddly, the post-1986 pronunciation was used by the announcer on the Magnetic Video logo several years before it became the official pronunciation.
Variants:
FX/SFX: The CGI coiled line forming "VIACOM", and the logo shining.
Music/Sounds: Again, there have been several musical variations accompanied with a voice-over by Don LaFontaine saying "Viacom" near the end:
Music/Sounds Variants:
Availability: Quite common. 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.
Editor's Note: Another beloved logo by some for its good-looking CGI, music (especially on the International variant), and classic voice-over. This also marked a departure from the "V" logo that was used for the past fourteen years. The core design initially lasted for fifteen years, but even after the current Viacom debuted in 2006, some logos from Paramount have prolonged use of its font past its original lifespan; for example, the movie logo maintained it for their byline until at least 2010 (before Iron Man 2), and the home entertainment logos retained this until the 2019 Blu-Ray/DVD release of Bumblebee.
Nicknames: "\/|/\CO/\/\ II", Wigga-Wigga II", "VIACOM 2000", "Robocom", "ViaBot", "Letters of Glass"
Logo: On a smoky blue background, we see the letters of "VIACOM" in a glass font zooming out, being stacked in front of each other, then spreading out. The background is full of the letters of the word along with a blue smoke effect that slowly clears out. After "VIACOM" settles, the text "PRODUCTIONS" in Futura Extra Bold moves up ala the "Float In" animation of Microsoft PowerPoint, with a line and the byline "a Paramount company" (in the Paramount Pictures logo's font) fading in below it.
Variants:
FX/SFX: The letters spreading out and the smoke.
Music/Sounds:
Music/Sounds Variants:
Availability: Fairly common.
Editor's Note: It's not a well-known logo like the previous ones, but it's another well-made logo with some really cool effects. This was also a fitting way to end a company with an amazing and memorable library of logos.
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