Télévision Quatre Saisons (TQS)

Background: Télévision Quatre Saisons was a Quebec-based television channel created by the Pouliot Family in 1985. The channel went on-air on September 7, 1986. It was purchased by Quebecor in 1997, and sold to COGECO in 2001 (which hold it in conjunction with Bell Globemedia (later CTV Globemedia)). It was also purchased by Remstar in 2007. It was renamed V on August 31, 2009.

1st Logo (September 7, 1986 - August 31, 1987)

Nicknames: "The Camera", "The Pac-Man Circle"

Logo: On a red background, we see some rectangles with the words Cinéma, Musique, all that matters with the channel's programming. A multi-colored trail is guided around the rectangles up to a camera lens. When it touches the camera's lens, the trail turns into the original TQS logo formed of seven Pac-Man in a circle. After the words Télévision Quatre Saisons in its original font next to the logo. Underneath, the channel positions are seen (especially those from Montreal and Quebec).

FX/SFX: The trail forming, the Pac-Man circle forming.

Music/Sounds: A triumphant orchestral fanfare, followed by an announcer who says Télévision Quatre Saisons, Super 35 Montréal, câble 5, Super 2 Québec, câble 13.

Availability: Only seen on TQS produced shows during it's first year of airing.

2nd Logo (September 1, 1987 - August 28, 1991)

Nickname: "The Québec Map"

Logo: On a black background, we see the Québec design in blue with the words TQS (also in blue, in Times New Roman) zooming out from the right side of the screen. As it turns into position, the TQS logo (same as the previous logo) divides itself to complete the logo. It may be however seen in whole at the bottom of the logo.

Variant: For the last year of use of this logo, the background turned to a shade of aquatic blue. The wording became gray.

FX/SFX: The TQS logo dividing.

Music/Sounds: A horror-like keyboard tune with a laser zap, followed by an announcer who says Vous êtes à l'antenne du réseau de télévision Quatre Saisons. For the last year of use of this logo, the music was replaced by a romantic trumpet/guitar tune. However, the announcer was kept.

Availability: Can be seen on TQS shows of the era.

3rd Logo (August 29, 1991 - September 20, 1992)

Nickname: "Action TQS"

Logo: On a black background, we see several small rectangles being revealed. Then, the words TQS (in red and in a Garamond font with the Q smaller than the other letters) appears and goes at the bottom of the logo, while the words Action is being written at the top of TQS with a star after the last letter. An orange straight line comes out to complete the logo by being twisted.

FX/SFX: The orange line twisting.

Music/Sounds: A drumbeat with a 10-note keyboard crash, followed by announcer who says Vous êtes à l'antenne de TQS.

Availability: Like the first logo, seen only for a year.

4th Logo (September 21, 1992 - August 26, 1993)

Nickname: "The Electric Staircase"

Logo: On a gray fog environment, we see a electric staircase lifting people at the bottom. Then a polygon moves all the way to us. In this polygon, we see the City of Montreal. There is a flash of light and the white words TQS (in the same font as the 3rd logo) appears, with the TQS logo underneath.

FX/SFX: The staircase.

Music/Sounds: A rocking metal guitar tune, followed by announcer who says Ici le réseau de télévision Quatre Saisons.

Availability: Also seen for only one year.

5th Logo (August 27, 1993 - September 2, 1997)

Nickname: "The Clock"

Logo: On a black background, we see several twists forming the TQS logo via a clock effect. When it is completed, the trails leave the words TQS (now in red and in an Arial font) next to the logo.

Variants: A 10th anniversary version of this logo was used in 1996. From 1996 to 1997, the words Allumée! was seen under TQS.

FX/SFX: The clock effect.

Music/Sounds: A 8-note pop tune (which is the slogan TQS, au coeur de l'action), followed by announcer who says Vous êtes à l'antenne de TQS''. Starting September 1996, the music was changed into a 6-note progressive rock tune, followed by an announcer saying the same thing as the first version.

Availability: Seen on TQS shows of the era.

6th Logo (September 3, 1997 - September 3, 2006)

Nickname: "The Black Sheep"

Logo: We see a black sheep flashing up. After a few flashes of light, it reveals the sheep inside the new TQS logo (similar to the previous logo, but now in silver and italicized). The sheep shakes his head and says Ouais which means Yes. Under all this, the words LE MOUTON NOIR DE LA TÉLÉ are seen.

Bylines: 1997-2001: Bylineless 2001-2006: "Un réseau COGECO en partenariat avec Bell Globemedia"

FX/SFX: The sheep shaking his head.

Music/Sounds: 5 shaking sounds, followed by an announcer who says Vous êtes à l'antenne de TQS, le mouton noir de la télé.

Availability: Seen on TQS shows of the era.

7th Logo (September 4, 2006 - August 30, 2008)

Nickname: "The Rectangle TQS"

Logo: On a blue background, we see several dark blue rectangles gathering around while two lines (one orange, one green), split and spread around. Then they join to meet the TQS logo (which is in a rounded rectangle and with the TQS being in lower-case). The black words Le mouton noir de la télé! is seen underneath.

FX/SFX: The lines flashing around.

Music/Sounds: A electronic keyboard tune, followed by an announcer who says Vous êtes à TQS, le mouton noir de la télé.

Availability: Seen on TQS shows of the era.

8th (and final) Logo (August 31, 2008 - August 30, 2009)

Nickname: "The White Shadows"

Logo: On a black background, we see several white rectangles that flash, forming the TQS logo from the previous logo without the shape). Underneath, Le mouton noir de la télé appears. The TQS zooms in to the viewer.

Variant: Starting in April 2009, the words Le mouton noir de la télé is removed.

FX/SFX: The flashing rectangles.

Music/Sounds: A 2-note wurlitzer tune, followed by 5 drumbeats then a crash sound. From August 2008 to April 2009, it had the announcer TQS, le mouton noir de la télé.

Availability: Seen for the last year of airing of TQS.

Final Note: Since August 31, 2009, Télévision Quatre Saisons is now defunct and is now called V. You can still see the TQS logos on YouTube, however.