A B-Side BY Armin

Gala TV

About: (Est. 1968) “Gala TV is a Mexican television network owned by Televisa. Originating at XEQ-TV in Mexico City, the network is distributed throughout Mexico through affiliates. […] The Gala TV schedule features mainly reruns of major Mexican telenovelas, reruns of Televisa series, soccer and lucha libre.” It was formerly called Galavision. (Source: Wikipedia)

Design by: Logo: Ideograma. Motion: Troika

Ed.’s Notes: This is not to be confused with the U.S. version of Galavision, covered here. It is also not to be confused with a subtle, sophisticated logo. Bigger view of the logo below (or after the jump).

Relevant links: Televisa press release (in Spanish). Troika case study (only still frames).

Select quote: (translated with Google from Televisa press release) “This development will also be reflected in the new logo graphic image GalaTV that integrates three key areas: one stylized G comes from Galavision, its former name, a number 9 the channel in which currently airs in several cities, and range of colors representing the color bar television and dynamic and lively spirit of the new proposal, as well as a mosaic of colors that are a reflection of our spirit.”

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A B-Side BY Armin

FX (TV Channel)

About: (Est. 1994) “FX (standing for Fox extended, suggesting “effects”) is an American basic cable and satellite television channel that is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group division of News Corporation.” (Source: Wikipedia) Kick-ass shows include: Archer, The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Damages, Rescue Me, Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans, American Horror Story, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Louie, The League, and Wilfred.

Design by: N/A.

Ed.’s Notes: In keeping with today’s barely-there changes, here is the radically new FX logo. Yeah, I don’t know what they achieved with this other than perhaps something more protectable by law as “FX” out of the box is probably not very distinctive.

Relevant links: N/A.

A B-Side BY Armin

AMC (TV)

About: (Est. 1984) “AMC is an American basic cable and satellite television channel that is owned by AMC Networks. The channel primarily airs theatrically released movies, along with a limited amount of original programming. The channel’s name originally stood for “American Movie Classics”, though since 2002, the full name has been deemphasized as a result of a major shift in its programming. AMC’s most successful original series include Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and Hell on Wheels.” (Source: Wikipedia)

Design by: Troika.

Ed.’s Notes: Not sure this was needed, but okay, I guess. The “gold” effect feels more cheap than premium and reminds me of some of the not so old on-air graphics of HBO.

Relevant links: Troika case study. Press Release.

Select quote: “AMC announced today a new look and brand positioning, ‘AMC: Something More,’ which reflects the network’s ongoing commitment to providing a place for original stories and characters that defy expectations. Now featured on-air and online, ‘AMC: Something More’ punctuates a refreshed graphic identity for the network. AMC’s new identity features an updated logo, with letterforms surrounded by a gold box which suggests both premium quality and popular appeal.”

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A B-Side BY Armin

Vikings (TV Series)

About: “The HISTORY original series Vikings transports us to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore—and raid—the distant shores across the ocean. His ambition puts him at odds with local chieftain Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), who insists on sending his raiders to the impoverished east rather than the uncharted west. [&hellip] Vikings was created and written by Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, The Tudors).”

Design by: King and Country.

Ed.’s Notes: Really digging this. Plenty more below (or after the jump).

Relevant links: Bedow case study.

Provided quote:“The left side of the ‘V’ tells us about the lesser-known aspect of Vikings: family and life. It seamlessly blends three key elements of their character: the upper section is efficient and almost scientific, denoting how technologically advanced they were, especially in ship-building expertise; the middle section is a graphic representation of brotherhood and unbreakable bonds, featuring art reminiscent of tribal emblems; the lower section is about growth and life, with an illustration that is similar to a section of weaving tapestry, taking visual cues from a family crest or coat of arms. The right side of the ‘V’ tells the story of war — and the violence, death and conflict that were big parts of Viking society. Shaped like the blade of a sword, small chinks are hacked out of what would have been fastidiously hand-forged steel weaponry, stained from blood of the fallen.”

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A B-Side BY Armin

Space Channel

About: (Est. 1997) “Space is a Canadian Category A specialty channel owned and operated by Bell Media. It features science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal programming including films, documentaries, scripted television series and more. SPACE originally used the subtitle The Imagination Station following its name; it is still sometimes used informally by fans today.” (Source: Wikipedia).

Design by: Bell Media Agency.

Ed.’s Notes: I don’t think the old logo was good (it wasn’t) but this new version is as dry as certain parts of earth. A brief montage of new shows shown below (or after the jump) hints at some potential though. A few more clips are available here

Relevant links: Long story on Marketing Magazine. Bell Media press release.

Select quote: “Space’s new logo reflects the channel’s more earthly focus, losing the previous galactic swirl in favour of all lowercase letters inside a sphere. In promo spots, the logo is placed on real-life items that relate to specific shows. For example, for Being Human, there’s a blood splatter with the Space logo on it.”

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Opinion BY Armin

Follow-up: ITV

Last November we reported on the redesign of ITV, the biggest commercial television network in the UK. At the time, only the logo for the main channel had been introduced. Now, the full scope of the project — that includes revised logos, idents (over 80 produced), and on-screen graphics and navigation for all four channels — has launched. The project was carried out internally at “a dedicated ‘pop-up’ design studio” led by incoming Creative Director Phil Lind and Head of Operations Claire Finn. In this post we have insights from the team based on a very comprehensive case study they generously provided. My only comments on this one: This is an amazingly intense amount of work and it’s expertly carried out.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Gelderland Broadcasting

About: (Est. 1985, Radio; 1996, TV) “Omroep Gelderland (in English: Gelderland Broadcasting) is a regional public broadcaster for the Dutch province of Gelderland and they have their own radio station and TV channel broadcasting primarily for the province itself.” (Source: Wikipedia).

Design by: N/A.

Ed.’s Notes: Funny video of literally changing the new for old logos below (or after the jump).

Relevant links: New identity page.

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Opinion BY Armin

Univision Needs More, More, Más

Launched in 2002 as TeleFutura by parent network Univision and quickly rising as the second most watched U.S. Spanish-language television network, the recently renamed UniMás has been retooled specifically for Hispanic millennials with programming geared to a “younger, bicultural audience,” as well as complementing Univision’s programming plus being its “cultural connection más the coolest content for young, U.S.-based Latinos.” The new name was conceived internally as a combination of “Uni” from Univision and “Más” for “More” and “Plus” in Spanish while the identity and on-air graphics were designed by Troika.

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A B-Side BY Armin

The Biggest Loser

About: (Est. 2004) “The Biggest Loser is a reality television show which first started in the U.S. in 2004. The show centers on overweight contestants attempting to lose the most weight to fight for a cash prize. There are different variations of The Biggest Loser around the world. Each country has made its own adaptation to the show; however, the contestants always have the same goal: to lose the highest percentage of weight (or most weight) to become the Biggest Loser.” (Source: Wikipedia).

Design by: N/A.

Ed.’s Notes: Very important logo redesign we are talking about here. Bigger view of the logo below (or after the jump).

Relevant links: N/A.

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Opinion BY Armin

VH1’s own Plus One

Launched in 1985 (as VH-1 for “Video Hits One”), VH1 is a cable channel operated by MTV Networks and owned by Viacom with programming that includes music videos, exclusive events, live performances, music documentaries, and TV series. Like its sister channel, MTV, VH1 has mutated into a reality TV channel — i.e., Mob Wives, Basketball Wives, Hollywood Exes, Mama Drama, Rehab with Dr. Drew, etc. — where sometimes you might catch a music video or two. Over the weekend, and to start off the new year with a large rebrand, VH1 introduced a new logo and on-air look that signify what the channel has, reportedly, always been: “The Ultimate Mash Up”. No design credit given or press release issued but you can follow the launch with the #plussed hash tag. The logo and on-air package have been designed by New York, NY-based Gretel.

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Opinion BY Armin

ITV Follows New Script

Established in 1955, ITV (originally for Independent Television Authority) is the biggest commercial television network in the UK and is the main competition of the BBC and Channel 4. ITV operates five different channels: ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, and CITV covering everything from reality TV to sports to drama to sitcoms to children programming. Last week, at its upfronts event, ITV unveiled a new umbrella logo for its company and all its channels to be rolled out on January 2013 along with supporting new on-air packaging for all channels. The design has been done in-house. For the most comprehensive coverage and reporting about all the changes, please see this Digital Spy story.

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Friday Likes BY Armin

Friday Likes 25

This week we celebrate the fake, the conceptual, the unclientedness of designing for the sake of designing. All three Likes today are concept works by designers who enjoy what they do. While on the subject: I vote for Behance users to CLEARLY mark their work as concept if it is. Don’t try to pass your work as real if it isn’t. (A) it’s disingenuous and (B) there is no shame in it. Celebrate that you took initiative to create something that you feel is right and the way things should be done. It lets clients know that if they trust you and work with you they can get something as cool and dynamic as this unfettered approach. So, please, if it’s concept, disclaim it.

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Opinion BY Armin

Galavisión Lacks Vision

Launched in 1979 and owned by Univision, Galavisión is the leading Spanish language cable network in the United States and is described as “the direct, sexy, funny and alternative cable network that brings the best of modern Mexico to U.S. Hispanics.” The channel’s programming is a mix of comedy, lifestyle, documentary, “supernatural-themed programs”, and, of course, telenovelas, drawing much of its content from the Mexican TV superpower, Televisa. Earlier this month, Galavisión introduced a new logo designed by New York, NY-based PMcD Design.

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Opinion BY Armin

AMC Network Works its Angles

Established in 1980 by Cablevision and originally named The Rainbow Service (later Rainbow Media Holdings) the newly independent and renamed AMC Networks is today one of the leading cable networks, owning culture darling channels like AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, and We, as well IFC Films. (Bravo was also once part of its roster, many reality shows ago). This past June, AMC Networks was spun off from Cablevision and its new identity was designed by New York-based Loyalkaspar.

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Opinion BY Armin

Portal On-Demand

Launched in 2006, BT Vision is an on-demand digital TV service available to broadband customers of BT, the London-based über telecommunications services company. BT Vision’s offerings are broken down by genre — Film, Music, TV, Kids, Sport, and others — and can be consumed through an unlimited package or at fifty pence (about US$0.80) a show. Despite having over 5.7 million broadband customers, only 575,000 are BT Vision subscribers. This past September, BT Vision introduced a new identity and on-air look designed by Proud Creative (identity) and ManvsMachine (on-air).

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A B-Side BY Armin

Teletoon

First airing in 1997, Teletoon is a Canadian TV channel focused on cartoons and animation. The new logo was updated in-house. Press release here. Bigger view of the logo below (or after the jump).

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Guest Opinion by John J. Custer Posted BY Brand New

Elementary, My Dear Watsoon

Since 2006, Sleuth has been known as the channel of choice for your favorite crime and mystery reruns—such as Law & Order, JAG; NCIS; Walker, Texas Ranger; and MacGyver. As of August, Sleuth will be known as Cloo. With the help of loyalkaspar, NBCUniversal has completely rebranded Cloo, which sits alongside a fleet of channels that include The Weather Channel, Oxygen, and Chiller.

Update 8/14/12: loyalkaspar was in charge of all on-air graphics and package. You&Me Studio helped with the upfront media kit. Logo was reportedly designed by Digital Kitchen and the tagline in-house.

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Opinion BY Armin

Viva gets Sharper

First aired in 1993, Viva is a music and entertainment channel on German television — with programming that ranges from Friends to America’s Next Top Model to Jackass to its own Top 10, Top 50, and Top 100 videos. Originally owned privately, Viva was purchased by MTV Europe in 2004 and since 2000 the channel has been exported to Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and the UK. In January Viva launched a new on-air package and identity developed by the internal creative team of MTV Networks Germany.

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A B-Side BY Armin

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

If you watch this show you will appreciate this mention. If you don’t watch it, you are probably going WTF? That’s okay. It’s Sunny in Philadelphia is a sitcom on FX, now in its sixth twisted season.

Thanks to Robert for the tip.