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Channel 4 : 25th Anniversary

To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of its launch in 1982, Channel 4 went retro for the entire day on Friday November 2nd 2007 and completely replaced all its current branding with both original and faithfully recreated presentation from 1982.

Channel 4 Channel 4

Channel 4 Channel 4

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This is the first of four of the original idents, enlarged to occupy the width of today's widescreen broadcasting standard.

Channel 4 Channel 4

Channel 4 Channel 4

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Probably the most well-remembered spinning blocks ident, but with a light version of the Channel 4 signature theme 'Four Score'.

Channel 4 Channel 4

Channel 4 Channel 4

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An alternative version of the particles style ident, with a brasher fanfare.

Channel 4 Channel 4

Channel 4 Channel 4

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Finally, an original ident, but with the new Channel 4 theme that was introduced around 1993.



During the early years, Channel 4 was well known for showing world sports. For its anniversary, three of the idents used before its most popular sports programmes were brought back as break bumpers.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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American Football.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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Sumo Wrestling.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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Italian Football.



Channel 4 Channel 4

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During the day, a select few programme menus were shown in the channel's original style. The music in the background of this one is the alternative synthesised version of 'Four Score'.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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A recreation of the style of programme menu as seen from day one on Channel 4. It uses the original layout, typeface and highlighting to create a little nostalgia trip.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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A very short and simple animation to promote a single programme later on in the day.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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Another example of the programme menu from the 25th anniversary of Channel 4.

Channel 4 Channel 4

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A final outing for the recreated menus.



Channel 4

Gone for the day the monochromatic shadow 3D '4' and custom typeface, and in their place the original Channel 4 logo and clean and clear Gill Sans - as perfectly shown on this trailer end-board.

Channel 4

Even the in-programme pointer (certainly not around twenty-five years ago) received the same attention to detail.



Channel 4 Channel 4

Channel 4 Channel 4

And finally: the end-credit promotions boards - here advertising the Channel 4 microsite dedicated to all things 'home'. Next, a promotion for the documentary 'Channel 4 at 25' already shown a few times on More4 and now to be shown on the actual channel itself. Finally, the production board complete with a fully animated Channel 4 logo.