HIT Entertainment: Difference between revisions
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=== Background === | === Background === | ||
HiT Entertainment was a British-American children's television company established in 1982 originally as the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called "Henson International Television" (later reincorporated as "HiT Communications plc."). However, following the death of Jim Henson in 1990, the business was sold to several members of the company's management, led by Peter Orton, and reincorporated to its current name to prevent any future confusion between the two companies. Today, HiT Entertainment is owned by Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. | HiT Entertainment was a British-American children's television company established in 1982 originally as the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called "Henson International Television" (later reincorporated as "HiT Communications plc."). However, following the death of Jim Henson in 1990, the business was sold to several members of the company's management, led by Peter Orton, and reincorporated to its current name to prevent any future confusion between the two companies. Today, HiT Entertainment is owned by Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. | ||
===1st Logo (1983-89)=== | ===1st Logo (1983-89)=== | ||
[[File:Henson International Television.png|center|400px]] | |||
'''Logo:''' Same as the Henson Associates in credit logo, only the "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''ha!'''</span>" text is replaced with "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''hit!'''</span>" and the lower text is replaced with "HENSON INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION" sandwiched between two lines. Copyright information is Henson International Television listed below. | |||
'''FX/SFX:''' Same as the Henson Associates in credit logo. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' Same as the Henson Associates logo. | |||
'''Availability:''' Rare. Seen on international prints of ''The Muppet Show''. | |||
===2nd Logo (1989-96)=== | ===2nd Logo (1989-96)=== | ||
[[File:HiT Entertainment.png|center|400px]] | |||
'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|gray|gray}} marble-like background, a {{Font color|silver|silver}} disc rotates into place. Then four {{Font color|blue|blue}} lasers strike it from different directions. Then, the camera pans to an aerial view as the word "{{font color|silver|'''HiT'''}}", in a tall silver font, zooms out from the center from an angle, then rotates to face the viewers. As it does so, the four lasers rotate clockwise and "<span style="font-family: 'Impact';">{{font color|skyblue|COMMUNICATIONS PLC}}</span>" types itself in, in {{Font color|blue|blue}}. | |||
'''FX/SFX:''' The disc, the lasers, and the word "HiT" coming into place, which are solid CGI effects. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' An eerie gong sound leading into a catchy synth theme with bells. | |||
'''Music/Sounds Variant:''' A silent version exists. | |||
'''Availability:''' Ultra rare. Can be seen on old ''Where's Waldo/Wally?: The Animated Series'' tapes from the era. It can also be spotted on the English dubs of [[D'Ocon Films Productions (Spain)|D'Ocon Films]]' TV series, ''Basket Fever'', and the cartoon ''Captain Zed and the Zee Zone'', among others. | |||
'''Editor's Note''': This logo is a huge favorite, thanks to the music. | |||
===3rd Logo (1994-95)=== | ===3rd Logo (1994-95)=== | ||
'''Logo:''' On a black background, the bluish-grey letters of "'''HiT'''" fly outwards to the center to form a result similar to the previous logo, but with thinner letters and no dot. Below it all is "Distributed by HIT Entertainment PLC." in white, sometimes replaced with a black bar and the text changed to match the country's language. | |||
'''FX/SFX:''' The letters appearing. Nothing much. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' None. | |||
'''Availability:''' Extinct. This was possibly a prototype logo, and so far, it has only been known to appear on some international prints of season 1 episodes of ''ReBoot.'' | |||
===4th Logo (1996-2001)=== | ===4th Logo (1996-2001)=== | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "HiT Globe", "'90s HiT Globe" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|dimgray|shady gray}} background, we see the word "'''{{Font color|blue|HiT}}'''" in the same font as last two logos in {{Font color|blue|blue}}, with "ENTERTAINMENT PLC" written vertically next to the T in white. A hole is cut out in between the letters above the I, which contains a spinning globe. Under that we see the text "www.hitentertainment.com" and "DISTRIBUTED WORLDWIDE BY HIT ENTERTAINMENT PLC". There is a spotlight from the top left of the screen, casting a shadow of the logo on the floor. | |||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*There is a version where the URL and byline swap places, such as retail episodes of '' Bob the Builder''. | *There is a version where the URL and byline swap places, such as retail episodes of '' Bob the Builder''. | ||
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*On some prints of ''Basket Fever'', the background is replaced with that of a background of the world with "ENTERTAINMENT PLC" in black instead of white and the below text is omitted. | *On some prints of ''Basket Fever'', the background is replaced with that of a background of the world with "ENTERTAINMENT PLC" in black instead of white and the below text is omitted. | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The globe spinning. Fine CGI for its time and it has aged pretty well. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' Same as the previous logo. | |||
'''Music/Sounds/Variants:''' | |||
* In other cases, the end theme of the show would be used. | * In other cases, the end theme of the show would be used. | ||
* At the beginning of a Greek ''Barney and Friends'' VHS, the tail end of the ''Bob the Builder'' theme song plays over the logo. | * At the beginning of a Greek ''Barney and Friends'' VHS, the tail end of the ''Bob the Builder'' theme song plays over the logo. | ||
'''Availability:''' Rare. The logo is seen on ''Brambly Hedge'', ''Kipper'', ''Archibald the Koala'', ''Ted Sieger's Wildlife'', ''Sheeep'', and GoodTimes VHS releases of ''The Wind in the Willows'' and ''The Willows in Winter''. ''Pablo, the Little Red Fox'' also had this logo, especially when it was shown on Playhouse Disney in the early 2000s in America, along with Nick Jr in the UK, also in the early 2000s.. It was also used for at least seasons 1-3 of ''Bob the Builder'' in the UK. Also spotted on later prints of ''Basket Fever''. Despite being a co-production with the BBC, don't expect this to pop up on the TV movie ''The Phoenix & the Carpet''. | |||
===5th Logo (1997-2008)=== | ===5th Logo (1997-2008)=== | ||
'''Nickname:''' "HiT Globe II", "'90s HiT Globe II", "Spinning HiT", "The Fireworks", "Psychedelic Ribbons" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|deepskyblue|striped-shiny-blue}} background we see a {{Font color|gold|yellow}}/{{Font color|orange|orange}} gradient ribbon flying around from the right edge of the screen. Then the ribbon makes its way to form the spring (or tunnel) and an explosion occurs. After that we see more colorful ribbons (but smaller) and some fireworks. Later, the camera moves into the center of the tunnel, then the tunnel disappears and from its place comes the globe which zooms into the hole in the HiT logo from the last logo in {{Font color|deepskyblue|light blue}}, which fades in the same time as the globe comes. As it does so, the globe spins. The word "ENTERTAINMENT PLC" is written vertically next to the "T" in white, just like the 2nd and 4th logos until it is over. | |||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*There is a short version which shows only the last part of logo. | *There is a short version which shows only the last part of logo. | ||
*There is also a middle-length version, which starts in the middle of the logo. | *There is also a middle-length version, which starts in the middle of the logo. | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The globe, fireworks, the ribbon, and the small ribbons. CGI animation. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' For the long version, at the beginning is a big whoosh, then a variety of cartoon sound effects are heard whilst the items come out of the ribbon tunnel, then a grand fanfare. | |||
'''Music/Sounds Trivia:''' The music was composed by David Lowe, who is best known for producing and arranging the theme tune to BBC News from 1999. | |||
'''Availability:''' Pretty common. The long version of the logo is available on most VHS and DVDs by HiT Entertainment, but only in the UK. The short version of the logo was used on the television series ''Anthony Ant'' and at the end of a ride on video optioned ''Bob the Builder'' kiddie rides from Jolly Roger, while the middle-length version is seen on said rides as well as ''Thomas & Friends'' ones while not in motion. Inexplicably, later 2Entertain-distributed ''Thomas & Friends'' DVDs continued to use this logo until their distribution rights expired in 2008, despite the next logo being used all over the packaging. However, the reissues of those releases from HiT themselves plastered that and 2Entertain's logo with the next logo. | |||
'''Editor's Note''': The explosion, slightly jarring appearance, and audio cacophony might have caused a few scares, but this logo is very well done and is a favorite of many. | |||
===6th Logo (2000-2007)=== | ===6th Logo (2000-2007)=== | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "HiT Globe II", "2000s HiT Globe", "Cheesy Glow" "The Calm After the Hype" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background, we see the HiT logo (as seen in the last two logos), but less shiny and solid, and with "ENTERTAINMENT" replacing "ENTERTAINMENT PLC". A glow of light surrounds the globe. Sometimes, a copyright notice appears below. Like the 4th logo, sometimes the URL (www.hitentertainment.com) and byline (DISTRIBUTED WORLDWIDE BY HIT ENTERTAINMENT) are seen below the logo. | |||
'''Trivia:''' Although it debuted in the US in 2000, this logo did not appear on UK VHS & DVD releases until late 2003, kicking off with the following releases: | |||
*The "Classic Collection" range (earlier VHS prints from December 2003 carry the previous logo instead) | *The "Classic Collection" range (earlier VHS prints from December 2003 carry the previous logo instead) | ||
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*''Christmas Children's Favourites'' | *''Christmas Children's Favourites'' | ||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*There is a difference between the original and the standard versions. | *There is a difference between the original and the standard versions. | ||
**Original version: | **Original version: | ||
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*On ''The Magic Key'', a small version of the logo is seen on a black background above the BBC logo. Copyright and website info is below. | *On ''The Magic Key'', a small version of the logo is seen on a black background above the BBC logo. Copyright and website info is below. | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The glow surrounding the globe, which is cheesy-looking. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' The ending theme of the show or silence. | |||
'''Music/Sounds Variants:''' | |||
* Some home videos of ''Barney & Friends'' (starting from ''Let's Go to the Farm'' (2004), until ''Let's Go to the Firehouse'' (2007), and again on ''Best Fairy Tales'' (2010)) from 2004-07 have a synthesized jingle that was used either at the beginning, at the end, or after the feature presentation. | * Some home videos of ''Barney & Friends'' (starting from ''Let's Go to the Farm'' (2004), until ''Let's Go to the Firehouse'' (2007), and again on ''Best Fairy Tales'' (2010)) from 2004-07 have a synthesized jingle that was used either at the beginning, at the end, or after the feature presentation. | ||
*On one print of ''Felix the Cat'', the HiT Communications PLC (2nd logo) music was used. | *On one print of ''Felix the Cat'', the HiT Communications PLC (2nd logo) music was used. | ||
'''Availability:''' Very common. Seen on HiT shows from the period including ''Barney & Friends'' from the 2000-2006 seasons, ''Bob the Builder'', ''Angelina Ballerina'', ''Rubbadubbers'', 2003-2006 episodes of ''Thomas and Friends'', and ''Oswald''. It was also seen on the ''VeggieTales: The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown'' 2001 VHS. It also appears on the remastered versions of episodes from seasons 1-4 of ''Pingu''. The normal in-credit variant appears on seasons 5-6 of ''Pingu'', while the white background one appears on the 2003 series of ''Fireman Sam'' and at the end of games from the company. Both the “Entertainment” and “Consumer Products” white background variants appear on games of the company’s shows, and an “Entertainment PLC” version was seen on the remastered versions of the original ''Fireman Sam'' alongside the Bumper Films and S4C logos. One of the last releases to use this logo was the 2007 DVD of ''Barney & Friends: Let's Go to the Firehouse!'' | |||
'''Editor's Note:''' TBA. | |||
===7th Logo (September 4, 2006-2017)=== | ===7th Logo (September 4, 2006-2017)=== | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "HiT Block", "Jumping Blocks", "Dancing Blocks", "Bouncy Blocks", "Annoying Blocks", "Blocks of Boredom", "Globeless HiT Logo", "Cute Blocks", "Where Did The Globe Go?" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a white background, we see a CGI block with "'''H'''" (white on {{Font color|red|red}}), "{{Font color|blue|'''i'''}}" {{Font color|blue|blue}} on {{Font color|gold|yellow}}), and "'''T'''" (white on {{Font color|blue|blue}}), with "'''{{Font color|red|HiT entertainment}}'''" below it. Then, all of a sudden, two more of the same blocks come out from behind the main block, and they all jump around as the name fades out. The blocks stack to reveal the "HiT" name before the two blocks (left and right) disappear. As it leaves only one block, the block looks around before becoming still, and "'''{{Font color|red|HiT entertainment}}'''" fades in below. | |||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*There is a short version which only shows the ending part after the blocks walk away. | *There is a short version which only shows the ending part after the blocks walk away. | ||
*An alternate short variant shows the HiT block at a farther away angle. Then, the two other blocks come in and jump before exiting, as the middle one bounces closer to the screen. | *An alternate short variant shows the HiT block at a farther away angle. Then, the two other blocks come in and jump before exiting, as the middle one bounces closer to the screen. | ||
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*The Sprout reairings of the tenth season of ''Barney & Friends'' use the very last part of the logo's sequence (ie. the HiT block is already there after the animation). Those aired originally on PBS use the original variant with animation. The ninth season reairings on Sprout plaster the previous logo with this one. However, the 10th season episodes aired on Universal Kids in the US, Canada, Mexico and Columbia use the previous logo (the HD version used in 2006-07). | *The Sprout reairings of the tenth season of ''Barney & Friends'' use the very last part of the logo's sequence (ie. the HiT block is already there after the animation). Those aired originally on PBS use the original variant with animation. The ninth season reairings on Sprout plaster the previous logo with this one. However, the 10th season episodes aired on Universal Kids in the US, Canada, Mexico and Columbia use the previous logo (the HD version used in 2006-07). | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The blocks dancing. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' An upbeat flute/horn tune with rhythmic finger snaps. | |||
'''Music/Sounds Variants:''' | |||
*Sometimes, just the end theme of the show is used, or silence. | *Sometimes, just the end theme of the show is used, or silence. | ||
* The Auto Play variant has just a male announcer saying "For your convenience, this DVD has been enhanced with HiT Entertainment's Auto Play! Your program and a selection of bonus features will begin automatically! To bypass Auto Play, select the "Main Menu" button on your remote at anytime! Your feature presentation will begin in a moment; enjoy!" | * The Auto Play variant has just a male announcer saying "For your convenience, this DVD has been enhanced with HiT Entertainment's Auto Play! Your program and a selection of bonus features will begin automatically! To bypass Auto Play, select the "Main Menu" button on your remote at anytime! Your feature presentation will begin in a moment; enjoy!" | ||
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*Sometimes, one of the short variant’s music will play over the wrong short version. | *Sometimes, one of the short variant’s music will play over the wrong short version. | ||
'''Availability''': Extremely common. Seen on shows such as ''Fireman Sam'', ''Barney & Friends'' from the 2007-09 seasons, ''Bob the Builder'', and ''Thomas & Friends''. The still logo can be found on games, some DVD releases and sometimes at the end of shows, while the still Worldwide Distribution version appears at the end of some ''Bob the Builder'' and ''The Likeaballs'' episodes, as well as on ''Wobbly Land'' (with the text in a different font and color) and ''Pic Me''. The long version most commonly appears at the start of UK DVDs, ''Fraggle Rock'' and ''Shaun the Sheep'' DVDs. The HiT DVD of ''Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures'' also contains it. This version is also present on the ''Frances'' compilation ''Bedtime for Frances DVD & Book collection''. The third variant can be found on several shows such as ''Mike the Knight''. The very short variant can be seen on 2008 episodes of ''Fireman Sam'' and on some airings of ''Wishbone''. Even though the Mattel Creations logo now appears in place of the logo at the start of DVD releases and at end of their shows, the HiT logo still appears on DVD releases when "Play All" is selected and at the end of DVDs. | |||
'''Editor's Note''': It's a cute logo, but may be annoying for people who are fans of the older logos. | |||
'''Final Note:''' Starting in 2017, HiT Entertainment programming now has Mattel Creations' logo instead of the HiT logo. | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:HiT Entertainment (UK)}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:HiT Entertainment (UK)}} | ||