Universal Music Group

Background
Though the history of Universal Music dates as far back as the 1930s, the current group (UMG) was created with the acquisition of PolyGram by Universal in 1999. The name appeared two years before, when MCA Music Entertainment Group was renamed. Since 2004, UMG is separated from Universal Pictures and is a subsidiary of Vivendi SA, which also bought the BMG Music Publishing brand in 2007, and later some of the recorded music operations of EMI in 2012. In 2021, UMG officially split from Vivendi as the company went public.

1st Logo (1998-2002)
Nickname: "CGI Globe and DVD"

Logo: Same as the 1997 Universal Pictures logo, but when it's almost complete, "MUSIC" fades below (in the same font), and the silvery DVD Video logo underneath.

FX/SFX: Same as the Universal Pictures logo.

Music/Sounds: Same as the Universal Pictures logo.

Availability: Uncommon. Can be found on older music DVDs of UMG artists.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (2002- )


Nicknames: "CGI Globe and CD", "Shimmering Globe and CD"

Logo: We see the end of the 1997 Universal Pictures logo (when the rotating letters settle down on the globe). Then, a flash occurs, creating rainbows that surround the Universal globe and go in all directions. The Universal globe becomes a CD, as the words "UNIVERSAL MUSIC" (in the same font as its standard counterpart) fly from the top to the inset of the logo. While this happens, the CD fades out while another flash occurs; this time, the flash is red, below the CD, and horizontal. The DVD logo appears after the flash.

FX/SFX: The animation of the 1997 Universal logo by Identica Partnership, the flash, the rainbow effects, the Universal globe transforming. done in good CGI.

Music/Sounds:
 * A majestic tune with synth-like sounds near the end, which was composed by Juanito Lopez (aka DJ Juanito).
 * The 1997 long version theme of Universal Television with a whoosh sound.

Availability: Common. It can be seen on quite a few music DVDs.

Editor's Note: None.

(2006- )


Logo: We start with the second half of the 1997 Universal Pictures logo, which adds "UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP" below. Then, a transparent HD flies and stops underneath, flashing and stretching into "HIGH DEFINITION" words over the globe.

FX/SFX: Same as the 2nd half of the 1997 Universal Pictures logo, done in good CGI.

Music/Sounds: Same as the first variant of the 2nd logo's music, but the thud sound is heard.

Availability: Common. It can be seen on music Blu-rays released by Universal Music or its regional branches.

Editor's Note: None.