NBC Home Video

Background

NBC launched its very first video label in 1981 as NBC Home Video in unison with Warner Home Video at the time. The label was relaunched in 1997 by Trimark Home Video, which was acquired in 2000 by Lions Gate. Lions Gate Home Entertainment and A&E Home Video distributed NBC shows on home video under the label NBC Home Entertainment (which was identified on-screen with the NBC Enterprises logo) until NBC merged with Universal in 2004 to form NBC Universal.

1st Logo (1981-1986)

Logo: On a space background, the camera backs away from several multicolored light streaks with little TV tubes on them flipping and turning about until they take the shape and color of the 11-feathered Peacock logo that was being used at the time, then the background fades to black and the picture fades over to an extreme close-up of the actual NBC Peacock logo with a geometric "N" behind it, which zooms out to a further distance and flashes, causing the words "NBC" and "HOME" in sky blue letters slide out from the right and left of the logo then the text "VIDEO" zooms out with a rainbow-colored shadow trail and flashes as it plasters itself underneath the logo.

Technique: Backlit animation.

Music/Sounds: An abridged version of the NBC "Our Pride is Showing" jingle that was used during its 1981-82 TV season, which consisted of a dramatic orchestral theme with the traditional 3-note NBC chimes heard within.

Availability: Rare. The best way to find this is by looking for a Warner Home Video clamshell case that has the old NBC logo with "NBC Enterprises, Inc." on it. Titles include The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang, the 1979 television remake of The Miracle Worker and VHS releases of 1975-80 Saturday Night Live episodes.

2nd Logo (1997-2000)

Logo: On a black background, we see the current NBC Peacock logo with "HOME VIDEO" under the logo inside a yellow rectangle, coming from the bottom-right corner of the screen, flipping vertically. The logo goes to the center of the screen as it stops flipping, and becomes straight.

Variant: There is a still version of the logo where it appears for a split-second before cutting off immediately.

Technique: 2D computer animation. None for the still version.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare. The animated version can be seen on VHS and DVD releases like Atomic Train. The still version can be seen on Saturday Night Live VHS Tapes and DVDs issued by Trimark Home Video. Other DVDs of NBC shows use the NBC Enterprises logo or only the DVD distributor's logo (the latter is of the case of SNL DVDs and NBC shows on DVD in 2004).

NBC Home Video

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

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