ARD

Background
ARD (Full name: Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is the head public broadcasting association in Germany, consisting of 9 (10 if Deutsche Welle is accounted for) public broadcasters. Founded in 1950, it replaced the Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft after it shut down in 1945, following the defeat of Nazi Germany, although several of the broadcasters formerly a part of it went on to become part of ARD, and it served West Germany with 6 members originally. In 1954, NWDR split into NWR and NDR, and over the next couple of decades, managed to remain stable. In 1992, after the 2 German halves joined up again, MDR and ORB were launched for the 2 new regions, and after a few mergers in 1998 and 2003, it has remained the same ever since. The main channel is known as "Das Erste".

1st (known) Logo (1970-1984)
Logo: On a light grey background, an oval is seen with a smaller circle inside of it, created by several solid curves that are colored in blue/white shades. In the center is the text "ARD" in a blue Neue Haas Grotesk Bold font, and "DEUTSCHES FERNSEHEN" is seen below the oval in the same font, but black.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: Usually nothing or an announcer. Before Tagesschau, a deep-sounding chime plays and the announcer says "Hier ist das Erste Deutsche Fernsehen mit der Tagesschau." before it segues into the Tagesschau intro.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: The logo is an upgrade to the previous logo, but that had a tall font for "ARD" and the ovals were lines. The "Tagesschau" intro was also introduced around the same time and has stayed ever since, becoming a staple in the station's history.

2nd Logo (1984-1996)
Logo: On a

'Trivia: NThe logo was esigned by Hans Bacher

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: Usually nothing or an announcer. Before Tagesschau, a deep-sounding chime plays and the announcer says "Hier ist das Erste Deutsche Fernsehen mit der Tagesschau." before it segues into the Tagesschau intro.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: The logo is an upgrade to the previous logo, but that had a tall font for "ARD" and the ovals were lines. The "Tagesschau" intro was also introduced around the same time and has stayed ever since, becoming a staple in the station's history.