The Movie Channel

Not to be confused with TMC.

This page only shows primary logo variants. For other related logos and images, see: Other

1973–1975	1975–1978	1978–1979	1979–1981	1981–1988
1988–1997	1997–2001	2001–2006	2006–present

The Movie Channel (often abbreviated as TMC) is an American premium television network owned by Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Skydance operated through its Paramount Media Networks division. Not including CBS, it is the oldest network owned by Paramount.

Star Channel

1973–1975

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The Movie Channel initially launched by Gridtronics as Star Channel in 1973.

1975–1978

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Designer:  Unknown

Typography:  Futura

Launched:  November 1975

1978–1979

Designer:  Unknown

Typography:  ITC Avant Garde Bold (modified)

Launched:  March 1978

Later in the 1970s, Star Channel was acquired by Warner Communications, and eventually brought into its Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment division, a joint venture between Warner Communications and American Express. The network was initially offered on Warner Cable systems, and later on Warner-Amex's experimental QUBE interactive service.

The Movie Channel

1979–1988

Designer:  Alan Peckolick

Typography:  Broadway (1979–1981) Custom (1981–1988)

Launched:  December 3, 1979

1979–1981

On December 3, 1979, Star Channel rebranded as The Movie Channel.

1981–1988

1988–1997

Designer:  Fred/Alan

Typography:  Univers Extended Bold

Launched:  May 1988

This logo was introduced in May 1988, and features a pair of eyes in a rectangle. On screen, the rectangle could include many different pairs of eyes.

1997–2001

It adopted a very slick on-air look that predominantly used CGI graphics, with the debut of a new logo in 1997, a 3D computer-animated green sphere with a tilted and lowercase "TMC" emblazoned on it, usually shown either to the right of the channel's full name or above the name (also rendered in lowercase type). Also, notice the 'e's in "the movie" connect to the 'h' and 'l' from "channel" on the wordmark. Jeff Bottoms (who has since become The Movie Channel's longest-serving promo announcer, and also does promotions for sister channel Showtime) promoted upcoming programs between films with humorous, and tongue-in-cheek voiceovers. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, The Movie Channel started running a wide variety of network promotions from those akin to a movie trailer to typical promos that feature behind-the-scenes trivia relating to the film. The latter technique is still used by the channel today, often in a more hybrid way.

2001–2006

Designer:  Unknown

Typography:  Knockout

Launched:  2001

An extensively modified logo was introduced in 2001, featuring a one-dimensional circle with a lowercase "tmc" in Knockout type on it, surrounded with two lines on the corners framing the circle; the "movie" in the channel's name was rendered in bold.

2006–present

Designer:  Gretel

Typography:  Arial

Launched:  May 3, 2006

On May 3, 2006, a new logo was introduced, along with the slogan "Movies for Movie Lovers".

External links

• Official website