Multimedia/Studios USA
By Jason Jones
Multimedia
1st (known) logo
(Early 80s-1992)
Logo: On a blue background, we see a hexagon of many lines. The name "Multimedia Entertainment" appears within. Then the logo zooms out to the right center of the screen. A lowercase "m" replaces the company name. Then about a dozen "Multimedia" 's emerge from top and bottom beside the logo to make one whole 'Multimedia'. Then the words "MULTIMEDIA Entertainment" appear above and below the company name to state, "A Division of MULTIMEDIA Inc."
FX/Cheesy Factor: The music, early 3-D animation .
Music: A synthesized humming noise followed by a pindrop-like synth sound and a 6-note synth tune ending with a pindrop-like synth sound
Availability: Extinct, last seen on 1980s episodes of Donahue, Sally Jesse Rapahel and other programs.
Scare Factor: High, the humming noise is scary as well as the music, not to mention the design.
2nd Logo
(1992-1997)
Logo: On a blue background, we see a straight, silver line. A "pulse" travels through the line, and the line coils up to reveal a hexagon with many lines going through and an "m" in the middle. The text "Multimedia Entertainment" is shown below.
(Note: The company was referred to as "A Universal Company" from 1996-97)
FX: The pulse, the coil
Music: Same as 1st logo
Availability: Extinct, might be seen on VCR-taped episodes of Donahue, Sally Jesse Raphael, and Jerry Springer from the era.
Scare Factor: High, see first logo.
Studios USA/USA Cable
Entertainment
(1998-2004)
Logo: A Streak of red and blue lines spin through a white background. The words "Studios USA" appear near the left of the screen. The lines make a stop to reveal a US flag motif.
USA Cable Entertainment: Starting in 2002, this logo became the ID for USA Cable Entertainment, and the "Studios USA" text was replaced by "USA Cable Entertainment." However, following the introduction of the NBC Universal logo in the summer of '04, USA Cable Entertainment, along with other NBC Universal subsidiaries, has switched to this ID.
FX: Lines streaking.
Music: Sound of a 'whoosh'.
Availability: Rare, following the sale of Universal Television to USA Networks by Jos. Seagram and Sons in 1997, the company was renamed Studios USA. In 2001, USA Networks was purchased by Vivendi Universal, reuniting Studios USA with Universal Studios. In June 2002, the Universal Glittering Globe replaced this logo as the company was renamed Universal Television Entertainment. This logo is still in use as the ID of USA Cable Entertainment, the production unit of USA Network. So basically, shows like Jerry Springer and Maury will have the current Universal logo, but Crossing Over With John Edward would keep the Cable variant.
Scare Factor: None.