A while back, I did a post on TV Network Station IDs, starting with ones from the early days of television to the 1960s with the IDs showing “presented in living color”. Since I got a number of positive feedback on that post, it has inspired me to do a Part 2! Only this time, I will go the 1980s, when the networks started using computer-generated animation for there IDs, to the present day. Once again, these were to let you, the viewer, a friendly reminder which network you were watching. As I mentioned before, starting the 1960s, when color TV came into existence, the IDs whould be very colorful, with an annoucer letting you know the program you are about to watch is presented “In Living Color”. Now that this post is part two, and focusing on the 1980s to the present, the network IDs would carry a picture of either headphones or stereo speakers to let you know that the program is presented “In Stereo- Where Avalible”, or stereophonic sound (early version of surround sound). In the present day, the headphones or speakers would get replaced with the tag line “Presented in High Definition- Where Avalible”. Also, along with the CGI animation, this is the when the networks started to add familiar jingles and slogans for the new season.
NBC
1982- *This is the earliest use of CGI for the network.
1984-1986
1984-1986 Special Presentation ID
1986- Changeover to current logo
1987-NBC Monday Night at the Movies (same sequence for Sunday Night Movie as well)
1988-*May need to turn up volume to hear this one.
1994-1995
1993?- different logos morphing.
2000-2004 NBC Studios, Before merging with Universal to become NBC Universal.
2010- Logo as it is in present day
CBS
1981-82 * Earliest use of CGI by network.
1984
1984
1985
1986
1991
1997
2009-present
ABC
1981-82-* Earliest use of CGI by the network
1983
1985
1987- Sunday Night Movie
1990
1996
1999-2000
2007
2010
FOX- Since Part 2 focuses on the network IDs from the 1980s to today, it should be noted that Fox Television came into existence in 1986, marking the first time since the DuMont TV Network in the 1950s that a fourth TV network broadcasted in America, and ending the dominance of the “Big Three” networks (NBC,CBS, ABC).
around 1986
1990
