SKY SIGNS 1993-1995

[jimmyass]

this was the time that the companies were proud to have a satalite network. now it is so branded and american.

[kaw203]

They are Better than the ones now

[tsangari]

Really grand idents. They piss all over today's idents.

[mcslemon]

I like the idea but it's a shame the beginning of some of the sequences were chopped off!

[hcvang]

love this kind of thing... oh boy, I love it...

[silverskyRO]

Superb ! They were part of my childhood.

[MrGuptah]

"the movie channel" music was the best! I had a sky viewing card to watch these channels back in 1993 paid 400 deutschmarks to get it but it was worth it just for the idents lol

[DXTV1]

@MrGuptah today the card costs 200 Euro per year plus Sky's own bill and you need a british credit card (I got a MasterCard by the RBS) ;o)

[ian9outof10]

I think these idents really look good, even today. There's something about the dramatic music that you don't really get on TV any more.

[TURBODORK2]

i always associate sky movies with ALIENS and ENEMY MINE, they really shocked me when i was a kid

[StevenEllesmore]

These were fantastic intro's and made anything you were watching...a fantastic event.

[kargaroc386]

of course, since the arrival of GHz (i can 3d on my old compaq from 2000) processors, and 3d software for windows and mac, animators are using the same computers and the average person uses, abit with upgrades.

[AtomicGarden1983]

I wonder what they did the promos with. Did they use normal Macs/PCs or server-like machines, with specially written software - unaffordable for Joe Public? I'm asking, because I am studying design - and I wonder how they did it... I can see myself doing this (not as professional probably - still studying) on the Mac with a combo of Cinema 4D, AE, Shake and FCP - but in those days?

[kargaroc386]

either supercomputers, or SGI workstations.

[tmisch64]

Why do the idents cut off at the beginning and end of them?

[kargaroc386]

The idents are made in the us by GRFX/Novocom.

The music is from Frank Gari, the same person who made the news music at my local abc station WXYZ ch7 :)

[Scottishlandwarrior]

Looks like they spent money on their openings

[Kargaroc286]

...this is the movie cha*da da da da da daa*...

lol.

anyway, were these rendered on supercomputers?

i wish someone would attempt to recreate these.

[Hoddersrevenge]

If i ahd the inclination time and resources

id try

but BSkyB would sue me.

[Inverdarroch88]

I like the Sky Soap one the best.

[Kargaroc286]

i wnoder if the release of WINDOWS 95 which was released before these were replaced, had in an influence in the replacement of these

[rich1980]

i remember all of these - i cant believe how 'american' it is

[Kargaroc286]

they were made in America by Americans.

[rich1980]

That would explain alot of things then... :OP

[Kargaroc286]

oh, and so was the music. if you remove the announcer, then this could be a ID to a US cable network.

BTW, i contacted Garri Comm (the people who made the music), to see if we can get a FULL CLEAN STEREO version of the music. you guys need to help me though.

[MQsCues]

The music is out there in circulation somewhere. Try to find an mp3 called Sky symphony. I have it somewhere myself, so pm me if you like.

[4QuestionMarkTvStuff]

it on tv ark

[SimplyBen84]

I'd bet good money that these indents are made by the same group which does FOX News's Over the top indents.

[hcvang]

@SimplyBen84 they're called IDENTS, not indents... you're talking about indentations.

I do believe there is a graphics studio somewhere that specializes in these things... i seem to remember reading about it, so I think you're right.

[tmisch64]

@hcvang The company that made these idents is GRFX/Novocom, who have also done work for broadcasters all over the world. They did the makeover for the CBS Evening News in 1991, compare it with the graphics used by Sky News during this period.

[Kargaroc286]

these reminde me of sega channel

[Kargaroc286]

were these scrambled?

[digichris01]

I think Sky was scrambled 99% of the time

[Kargaroc286]

with ...i think it was viewguard or something like that. i think the descrambling process used a random # generator. i dont think that would have worked

[filmnet]

The system used was Videocrypt. By the end of 1993, all Sky channels (except Sky News) were encrypted using it.

[steeviebops]

Videocrypt left a permanent mark even after it was decrypted. If you look at the edges of the picture you can see what looks like random noise. This isn't present on the Sky News ident because Sky News was in the clear.

[AnthonyUK]

With videocrypt PAL channels you got diamond shape patterning which varied with different brands of UK Astra receivers, they did put Videocrypt codes but didn't encrypt Sky News when Sky Multichannels came out and when that happened you did on some receivers see the patterning.

[kieranmurray1000]

I agree that the idents used today are terrible. The older ones from the early 90's were much better. Ah well...that's progress...

[dannystanley]

this was sky at its best i think. sky movies is my favourite. nowadays it just rubbish in my opinion, hope others agree!!

[philevans1986]

The Theme for the Sky One Ident could well have been used for a Game Show at the time if it wanted to be! Has a slight 'Family Fortunes' edge to it dont you think!

[w2w3e4]

LOL indeed, agree with you 100%

[Hoddersrevenge]

I see your point.

[FutureSimpsons]

i use to get all excited when the Colured Sky One Ident was shown.

[digichris01]

The Movie Channel ident was the best

[Kargaroc286]

LOL indeed, agree with you 100%

[newestromantic]

Their first idents were the best.The second ones were good,too.And then they started with those terrible flags and identical music.Later on they even turned all the movie channels into same colour.Not to mention when they started changing even the names of the channels.I was and still am totally disappointed.

What's the point of all that?You cannot tell anymore which channel you are watching.

[ralphkey]

sky intros in the 90's we're the best in business..... now are full of c**p

[CrazyTobster]

I agree