Channel 4 To Launch New Channel: 4seven

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Channel 4 today announced the launch of 4seven, its first new channel since More4 came on air in 2005. The new channel (operating under the codename Project Shuffle) is designed to give viewers another chance to catch up with Channel 4 content from the last seven days with the ease of a remote control rather than going online- with content chosen based on the buzz it has created online, via social networking sites and blogs, and among critics.

The launch date for the new channel has not yet been confirmed. Channel 4 initially indicated to media agencies that it would like to have it running by 1 June, but it is now thought it will launch later in the summer. Channel 4 Chief David Abraham said: “With so much choice out there, viewers are increasingly saying they sometimes just miss the best stuff, despite their PVR and VOD. 4seven will give viewers more chances to catch the most popular and talked about Channel 4 shows from the last seven days.”

He added: “It will schedule the main channel content that is creating noise – amongst social media, bloggers, commentators and of course via contact our viewers have directly with us – and incorporate this buzz into the look and feel of the channel.”

Year in Review: The Top 30 Channel Branding Campaigns from 2011

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Happy New Year my friends.

And with it comes my yearly roundup (in no particular order) of the top 30 channel branding campaigns from 2011. From some well considered refreshes from HBO, Discovery, and MTV, to name changers (Velocity & Science), and a few behind the scenes glimpses from Eurosport, RTÉ, and Channel 5, 2011 was another glorious year of showing why design for the small screen was anything but.

If you like this list, or simply missed previous years, you can find 2010 here, and 2009 here. And as always, whether you are channel or agency-side- do get in touch if you want to talk shop.

Wishing you and yours a prosperous, healthy, and happy 2012.

Denny

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Read full article: “Eurosport’s Emotional New Brand Identity“

Read full article: “HBO 2011 Redesign”

Read full article: “Discovery Channel (US) Brings New Energy to On-Air Identity“

Read full article: “UK Channel 4’s T4 Refreshes with Dancing Robots“

Read full article: “MTV Europe Unveils Fantastical  Rebrand for VIVA“

Click continue reading for the full 2011 list

Behind The Scenes Look at Channel 5’s New Idents

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After the ambitious plans of Richard Desmond’s company, Northern Shell, to acquire Five were made public, the level of interest in Five (now Channel 5) has exploded from around the globe. The channel, which originally launched in 1997, is the fifth and final national UK terrestrial channel. The channel rebranded itself as Five from 2002 to 2010,  and has recently unveiled some of its ambitious portfolio rebrand which includes Five to Channel 5, Fiver to 5*, and Five USA to 5USA (are you still following?).

Don’t worry, I’ll be here to explain all of this all along the way. First up, Channel 5 has kindly provided a peek behind the scenes of the making of the new Channel 5 idents, concept codename “Stage 5”. The brand assignment was led by Creative Director Rich Thrift, Art Director Geoff Parsons, and production company Earth.

There are certainly some ambitious plans laid out for Channel 5, both in terms of brand scope and maximizing dollars spent. This is just the first of a series of follow-up feature articles planned for the network. I’d like to take a moment and thank a number of colleagues (both current and previous at the channel) for their ongoing support of ABM. First, big thanks to Kate and Rich for providing the behind the scenes glimpse. Special thanks to Nol, Russell, and Sarah for their collaboration through the years for all things Five.

Check back in a few days to see the finished Channel 5 idents and an update on the rest of the portfolio. Better yet, if you haven’t already done so, just follow us on Twitter , Facebook , or click here to subscribe by email when new TV branding stories hit.

Year in Review: 30 Top Memorable Channel Branding Campaigns from 2010

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Happy New Year! Though 2010 has come and gone, we have a year of beautifully crafted and strategically minded bits of television identity work to look back on. From NBC Universal’s recent Chiller rebrand to idents from HBO, Channel 4, and MTV- we brought you stories from the front lines, from international markets as varied as Brazil, China, France, UK, Australia, and of course, the US.

A sincere thank you to our client partners at the networks for your time and trust, and a big shout out to our friends on the agency side of the business for your love of the art. So without further ado, a few spots to wet your appetite, leading to the List: 30 Memorable Channel Identity Campaigns from 2010.

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Sky Arts HD 2010 Rebrand

MTV Push 2010 Launch

Chiller 2010 Rebrand

HBO Asia “Unexpected” Idents

CCTV 2010 Image Spot

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The 2010 List, in alphabetical order. Enjoy.

13th Street 2010 Rebrand

13th Street 2010 Rebrand

ABC3 2010 Rebrand

ABC3 2010 Rebrand

Al-Jazeera 2010 Rebrand

Al-Jazeera 2010 Rebrand

Cartoon Network 2010 Rebrand

Cartoon Network 2010 Rebrand

Channel 4 (UK) 2010 Refresh

Channel 4 2010 Refresh

The Inside Scoop On Comedy Central’s 2011 New Look

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Okay internet, you can put your pitchforks down. Since Comedy Central’s JUST released a glimpse at Comedy Central’s official unveiling yesterday in New York City, a cloud of brand enthusiasts (notably wearing Gap and drinking out of Tropicana cartons) has emerged. I’d suggest you save your final creative judgments for the full on-air creative package which launches in the beginning of 2011.

Comedy Central Logo (Old/New)

Part of the first major rebranding effort by Comedy Central in 10 years, much respected Comedy Central SVP Brand Creative Bob Salazar adds, “If you think of social media, videogames, and the conventional competition, it has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. Even though the brand has never been as strong, we felt that refreshing it in our promotion and our branding, was something that we felt this moment in the network’s history would be the perfect time for.”

Gone is the iconic skyscraper globe icon, replaced with a newly redesigned mark at the heart of the logo. Primarily comprised of a stark two letter Cs, one inverted, with the “Central” part of the channel’s name spelled out upside-down, the new logo is minimalist and austere, representing “the irreverent wink” of the channel.

Salazar (previously heading brand image at male focused Spike, and women’s network Lifetime) adds ,”It is more than a logo, it is everything you know about Comedy Central but in this more modern proposition.”

Comedy Central gathered pitches from seven design companies with The Lab winning the high profile assignment. Though the refresh officially launches at the beginning of 2011, Comedy Central tells me that folks in the US are able to preview a bit of the new direction here, in a montage titled “Comedy Central: Refreshed and Rededicated”.

Unfortunately for myself and other Londoners (and everyone else outside the States), you’ll just have to keep reading the blog or like us on Facebook for more updates. Or you can read a take from a CC logo parody Twitter account which is already up and running.

You know you’ve made it when people are parodying you so quickly. Congrats Comedy Central! /wink wink. Tell me what you think of the new direction in the comments below.

(Follow @dennytu on Twitter)

D&AD 2011 Awards Expands to Include NEW Channel Branding, Identity, Promo Categories

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I like the good folks at D&AD, so when they dropped me a line yesterday to share a bit of exciting news, I was all ears. As you know, the annual D&AD Awards are recognized throughout the world and set an absolute standard for creative excellence.

The news? This year, the D&AD Awards include two new exciting categories that will likely be of interest to you:

• Multi Platform Branding & Promotions &
• Channel Branding & Identity

Yup, that means those coveted yellow pencils are up for grabs. IF’s Karin Fong is our TV & Cinema Communications Foreman this year, so we are well represented.

Prices are reduced this year, and the early bird entry deadline is 29 Nov (10%), with the final deadline 31 January 2011. Entries are welcome from broadcasters and agencies alike, and are open to all countries. Goodluck!

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Remember, you can keep up to date on the latest in international TV identity and media branding via @dennytu or show your likey at  http://www.facebook.com/tvbranding

Discovery/Hasbro Unveils Newest Kid Channel Brand, The Hub

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Nearly 18 months ago, I first brought you some early news from the States regarding The Hub, the just developing Discovery Communications/Hasbro joint venture that would rise like a phoenix from what was once Discovery Kids. After a $300M investment from Hasbro, the venture would be led by widely respected CEO Margaret Loesch who describes the channel as, “a fun and transformative destination that brings kids and their families together by presenting clever stories and engaging characters.”

The Hub Logo Exploration

From a brand development perspective, what began as simply The Hub’s logo exploration, expanded to include strategy through execution, creative strategy, on-air packaging and advertising for appointed agency Troika. The brand strategy is brought to life in the network’s logo, called ‘Hubble,’ a fun bubble-like shape with unlimited possibilities as it unexpectedly transforms into anything it desires. The Hubble is featured prominently in all of the creative executions, including nine animated network IDs.

Billed as a multi-platform joint venture, the rebranded channel will leverage its significant heritage from Discovery Communications while adding the commercial edge it needs to compete with the likes of industry heavyweights Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.

The Hub Launch Campaign

If you’re interested in some early launch numbers, click keep reading…

CBS to Launch 3 New TV Channels in India

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US broadcast giant CBS is planning on launching 3 new English language pay channels in India. The venture (in partnership with Reliance Broadcast) is codenamed ‘Big CBS Networks’ and will leverage CBS’ vast library of english language shows including new CBS shows such as Hawaii Five-0 and The Defenders, syndicated programs like Entertainment Tonight and favourites like Everybody Loves Raymond, CSI, and NCIS.

India is the world’s second-largest pay TV market by viewers after China, with 105m households signed up to terrestrial analogue cable, satellite and digital networks. My contacts at the CBS/Reliance team have confirmed that the new channels will be named

• BIG CBS Prime, a general entertainment channel
• BIG CBS Spark, aimed at younger audiences
• BIG CBS Love, geared toward the female demographic

There are an estimated 134 million homes with televisions in India, with more than two-thirds having access to cable or satellite signals. Total television revenue was about $5.7 billion last year according to a KPMG report.

I’d be interested to see a bit more channel work out of India, so if you’ve got recent broadcast branding packages from that region, please do drop me a line. Coincidentally, 2011 marks 60 years of the iconic CBS eye logo. Here’s a nicely assembled video retrospective on the history of the logo for those interested.

First Look: China’s New Global 24 Hour English News Channel

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China’s New Global English News Channel, CNC World, has launched. Run by China’s State News agency Xinhua, the network hopes expanding foreign language media will help promote China’s image and viewpoint, ultimately “challenging the BBC and CNN”. CNC World preview here:

Unfortunately, based on some initial previews of the new on-air package and branding, they may have some significant way to go. The new CNC World’s new on-air package looks flat and dreary next to its domestic rival CCTV (read our coverage of CCTV’s “Believe in the Power of the Brand” here), let alone CNN or Al Jazeera (read our coverage of Al Jazeera’s latest rebrand here). You can see what CNC World is up against with these two spots:

With reports of over $5 billion (yes with a B) being spent by the government on CNC World, state broadcaster CCTV, and the People’s Daily Newspaper expansion into the global marketplace, expect to see a swift refresh fix of the CNC World package.  Many countries look to their domestic and global news presence as a reflection of their growing economic prowess and position on the world stage.

The Chinese broadcaster plans to build a state of the art newsroom as its New York headquarters at the top of a 44 story skyscraper in Times Square alongside nearby Reuters, Condé Nast, and The New York Times.

Speaking at the launch in Beijing yesterday, channel president, Li Congjun, said CNC would “present an international vision with a China perspective”. I’d say based on what we’ve seen on-air so far, CNC World should give me a call ASAP.

“Ratings Welcome” as USA Network Tops Latest Primetime Race

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For those of us outside the US who like to keep updated with the latest on the ratings race, the newest numbers have been released for the second quarter of 2010, and USA Network takes the cable crown with just over 3 million American primetime viewers. It wasn’t too long ago that the network, which features breakout hits like Monk, Psych, and Burn Notice, surprised onlookers by becoming the first cable network to have beaten a broadcast network (The CW).

Turner-owned TNT follows USA at number 2, while Fox News rounds out the top 3 with just under 2 million viewers.

Click keep reading for the rest of the top 10