Fremantle International

Background
Fremantle International (also known as "Fremantle Corporation" and not to be confused with "FremantleMedia") was a British-based production company founded in 1952 by Paul Talbot. In July 1994, All American Communications acquired interest in the company from Interpublic Group of Companies. All American Communications was acquired by Pearson plc. in 1996. When Pearson plc. sold Pearson Television to CLT-UFA in 2000, the companies merged to become "RTL Group" on July 25 and by renaming Pearson Television to its current media conglomerate name; "FremantleMedia" in 2001. Today, Fremantle International is an in-name-only distribution division of FremantleMedia now known as "FremantleMedia International", a sub-division of the RTL Group, and is 90% owned by German media conglomerate, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA.

1st Logo (1971-1991)
Fremantle International (1981, Opening)Fremantle International (1987)

Nicknames: "Glitter of Doom", "Space Lights", "Spacemantle", "Sparklemantle"

Logo:
 * Opening: We zoom-out on a black background with sparkles meant to represent outer space, as two copies of the word "FREMANTLE" (one yellow and the other red) fly from the right and left sides of the screen. As we stop zooming, the copies converge forming an orange "FREMANTLE", which shines, and the yellow word "International" fades in at the bottom and flashes. After two seconds, the word "presents" fades in at the bottom. The stars in the continue twinkling for the logo's duration.
 * Closing: On this variant, it features the text: "A FREMANTLE International presentation" on a plain black background. Spinning reflective lights begin to appear at random places on the text. a light crawls across "presentation" and disappears.

FX/SFX: This logo has '70s written all over it, with the glittering lights and synth tune.

Music/Sounds:
 * The opening version features a synth tune that begins with a slow descending "UFO" sound, followed by a calm sweep at the end.
 * The closing version features only a 3-note synth chime, much in the manner of the sweep in the opening version.
 * Otherwise, it uses the closing theme of the show (such as Baywatch).

Availability: Ultra rare. Can be found on the Prism Entertainment VHS of Manhunt for Claude Dallas. This could also still appear on a few Fremantle-produced shows during the '70s in Canada, as well on syndicated and international prints of S1 episodes of Baywatch (which is also on German DVD releases). It was also seen on international VHS releases of Loving.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1991-1994)
Fremantle (1991)

Nicknames: "Fremantle in Space", "Spacemantle II"

Logo: On a CGI space background, we see the planet Earth, where a satellite swerves around the globe. We zoom past the earth and the satellite comes up from behind it. The satellite shoots lasers from its antenna, forming the text "FREMANTLE" in 3D and gold. The text shines.

FX/SFX: The satellite passing by, and the lasers. CGI effects.

Music/Sounds: A triumphant majestic fanfare accompanied with an echo of the voice-over saying "FREMANTLE!" at the end.

Availability: Extremely rare. Was seen on non-U.S. and non-UK airings of Baywatch episodes from the era.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo (1994-2003)
Fremantle 1999Fremantle (1998)

Nicknames: "The Fremantle Satellite", "Hubblemantle", "Spacemantle III"

Logo: In space, we see the Hubble Space Telescope. We fade to a shot of two astronauts on a mechanical arm; what exactly they are doing is not easy to make out, but it kind of looks like they are unplugging something. We fade to another astronaut letting go of a metal panel, and the satellite fades away except for the metal panel, which remains on the screen in front of the Earth. The panel flips around to reveal a red rectangle with "FREMANTLE" in a white Trajan Pro font on it. A shining effect occurs and freezes on the "R".

Trivia: The footage is from the first repair mission for the HST on December 2, 1993. You can view the video here.

FX/SFX: Mostly live action, but the panel animation is CGI.

Music/Sounds: Same as before, except in the later days, the voice-over echo was omitted.

Availability: Scarce. Recently resurfaced in the U.S. on Family Net re-runs of The Adventures of Black Beauty. The logo also appeared on international prints of Home Movies, Ryan's Hope, Grace Under Fire, and 1994-2001 episodes of Baywatch. Also seen on the UK VHS release of Penn & Teller: Don't Try This at Home!. It was also seen on international broadcasts of Loving and All My Children.

Editor's Note: None.