QUBE

Logo descriptions by Thisisanswer Videos courtesy of Eric S.

Background: QUBE (formerly a division of Warner Cable, later on Time Warner Cable) was a cable television system that played a pivotal role in the history of American cable television. Launched in Columbus, Ohio, on December 1, 1977, QUBE introduced viewers, and the international press, to several concepts that became central to the future development of cable television: pay-per-view programs, special-interest cable television networks, and interactive services. This would also lead to the formation of Nickelodeon (formerly "Pinwheel") and MTV, both now owned by Viacom through the Viacom Media Networks (VMN).

1st Logo (1979?-1982)

Nicknames: "The QUBEs", "The QUBE before Q.U.B.E. (reference to the game of almost the same name)"

Logo: On a black background, multicolored lines spin around with a trail effect as another group of lines spin around with a trail effect, this time drawing in. As things settle in place, the smaller group of lines get into position to reveal a group of diamonds, resembling 2 outlines of cubes with different colored sides. The cube outlines start to zoom in as a white square is drawn on the top part of the cube on the right, which then flips onto the other outlines, forming the logo. As this happens, the logo zooms into place and the outline disappears. The logo consists of 2 cubes facing upwards and downwards respectively, where they shows 3 sides each. The big square text "QUBE" is seen on both cubes, with the top and bottom sides respectively untouched. The left cube is in orange, crimson, and blood red, respectively the order their formed in, while the right cube has blue, green, and light green, also respectively in that order.

Variant: On the start of some programs, "A" and "Presentation" may appear above and below the logo respectively.

FX/SFX: The logo forming and the trail effects, which were pretty advanced for the 80's, but like the technology, it aged pretty quickly. The music was already dated by it's time.

Music/Sounds: A synth theme that sounds quite a lot like a overly synthesized, rearranged version of Star Wars’s main title by Isao Tomita. Most of the time, it was just the closing or opening theme of the program.

Availability: Extinct. QUBE was only available in certain markets like Columbus, OH, meaning it was extremely rare to find in the first place. It was seen on original QUBE shows like Celebration and The Magic Touch, as well as other programs like the first run of Pinwheel.

Editor's Note: The effects and loud synth may make some jump out of their seats the first time they see it, but it's a cool logo for the time.

2nd Logo (1982-1984)

Nicknames: "The QUBEs 2", "The Streaking QUBE"

Logo: On a black background, a cube, made of mostly orange with 2 yellow sides, comes out from the right side of the screen, spinning and rotating along as it shines a blue light. As it stops on the center left, a large group of glowing lines appear and sweep across the cube, forming the QUBE logo from before, but in orange with the first "cube" having yellow on the top while the other has purple. The logo sparkles as "A" and "Presentation" appear above and below the logo.

FX/SFX: The cube rotating and the streaks. Better than before, but still dated. The music is even more dated from before.

Music/Sounds: An futuristic whirring sound can be heard throughout the logo, with an whoosh when the lines wipe in the logo and a one-note synth tune with beeping at the end.

Availability: Extinct. Considering that the system was almost dead, very few programs had this. Score was one of these programs that had it.

Editor's Note: The whoosh may catch some off guard, but its a bit better than before.