Ion can be traced to the original channel nine years prior to the renaming, Pax, in 1998 by Lowell 'Bud' Paxson, co-founder of the HSN and chairman of Paxson Communications.
Independent Television
2005–2007
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
ITC Avant Garde Gothic
Launched:
June 28, 2005
On June 28, 2005, Paxson announced it would rebrand Pax as i: Independent Television, in order to reflect a new strategy of "providing an independent broadcast platform for producers and syndicators who desire to reach a national audience." After the transition was complete, Pax TV would continue to air programming under its Pax brand on one of its digital channels over the air and in select cable homes. Some media observers jocularly postulated that I was code for "infomercial", due to the amount of paid programing on the schedule. Some affiliates still used the "i" branding even after the rebrand until around 2008.
Ion Television
2007–2008
On January 29, 2007, the network changed its name again, to the current Ion Television. The programming was, for the most part, unchanged at that time. This version of the Ion logo was still used as the logos for Ion Media Networks and Ion Life until 2017.
2008–2013
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Futura Medium
Launched:
September 8, 2008
On May 1, 2008, Ion Television held an upfront presentation announcing its programming for the 2008–09 season at the New York Public Library in Manhattan. In addition to the announcement of its programming acquisitions, the network unveiled a new logo (a wordmark that incorporated a positive ion symbol in place of a period next to the "ion" wordmark) and the slogan "Positively Entertaining" (a form of wordplay, as ions are atoms or molecules that have a positive or negative electrical charge). The network also retooled its focus, emphasizing the key demographic of adults between ages of 18 and 49, and airing more recent acquired programming aimed at young adults (such as Boston Legal, NCIS and Criminal Minds). The logo took effect on September 8, 2008.
On October 11, 2016, Ion Television introduced a slightly modified version of their logo. The dot above the "i" is now square instead of circular. Also, the corners on the "i" and the "n" became rounded.
On September 24, 2020, The E.W. Scripps Company announced that it would purchase parent company Ion Media for $2.65 billion dollars, with financing from Berkshire Hathaway. With this purchase, Scripps will divest 23 Ion-owned stations, but no announcement has been made as to which stations that Scripps will divest as part of the move.
Ion
2021–present
In April 2021, the word "Television" was stripped from the channel's name. The channel now refers itself as simply "Ion".
