October 1996 - April 1999
Idents [1]
The first Channel 4 presentation relaunch came on October 11 1996. A team of in-house designers came up with a design based around four circles. The '4' lost its colour scheme and was significantly reduced in size.
Each circle signified something different about the channel's programmes: one of the circles would always contain the channel identification - the '4'; another would show the time at which the programme was to be transmitted; a third circle showed an image which easily identified the programme; the final circle (not always used) was supposed to signify the first thing that came to mind when you thought about this programme.
The full concept was only realised on promotional trail end boards and programme holding captions; on the channel's idents, three of the circles would remain empty, whilst the other contained the '4' logo.
If you have footage of Channel 4 presentation from this period - particularly the channel idents - we'd be delighted to hear from you. For details of how to get in touch with us, please refer to the Contact Us page.
Each circle signified something different about the channel's programmes: one of the circles would always contain the channel identification - the '4'; another would show the time at which the programme was to be transmitted; a third circle showed an image which easily identified the programme; the final circle (not always used) was supposed to signify the first thing that came to mind when you thought about this programme.
The full concept was only realised on promotional trail end boards and programme holding captions; on the channel's idents, three of the circles would remain empty, whilst the other contained the '4' logo.
If you have footage of Channel 4 presentation from this period - particularly the channel idents - we'd be delighted to hear from you. For details of how to get in touch with us, please refer to the Contact Us page.
Above: Channel 4 ident - Harry Hill.
Channel 4 also experimented with in-vision announcing during this period. The announcer would often appear on screen to tell us what was coming up after the break and also to introduce the next programme. They rarely looked directly at the camera; their eyes were usually firmly fixed on the script in front of them. In-vision continuity was confined to a handful of junctions between c. 8pm and 11pm.
Above: Channel 4 in-vision continuity. Pictured: Ben Edwards.
