Granada Ventures

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Granada Ventures (currently known as ITV Ventures) is a British licensing company that functions as the consumer products division for ITV.

In February 2004, Carlton and Granada merged into ITV plc, bringing the two ITV franchisees together, including Carlton Visual Entertainment. Granada's home video unit - Granada Video, did not distribute their own releases, instead releasing them through Video Collection International, with the latter's logo followed by the Granada logo. The merger meant the deal could be revoked with Granada Video folding into Carlton Visual Entertainment, which in July 2004 was renamed as Granada Ventures Limited, therefore allowing all ITV-produced shows on DVD to be branded under one name. When VCI merged with BBC Video in September 2004 to form 2 Entertain Video, Granada ended their deal with VCI because of BBC's ownership in 2 Entertain.

1st Logo (placeholder logo) (2004-2005)

Visuals: On a purple background, the 2004 Granada logo with "Ventures" below is shown.

Technique: A still graphic fading in and out.

Audio: None.

Availability: This was a placeholder logo used on very early releases after the rebranding.

  • One example is both the VHS and DVD releases of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway 2: Home Delivery.
  • It is also preserved on the 2005 DVD Game adaptations of Bullseye and Catchphrase, from Upstarts.

2nd Logo (2005-2013)


Visuals: Same as the 2004 Granada production logo, except the word "Ventures" in a white font fades in on the bottom of the screen.

Variant: A shorter variant exists.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Same as the full version of the 2004 Granada logo or none.

Availability: Seen on UK DVD releases from this time period, such as Pocoyo & Friends: Volume 1, Tots TV: The Adventures of Tilly, Tom and Tiny, Tots TV: Snowy Adventure, Grizzly Tales: Monty's Python And Other Tales and the UK release of Pinocchio 3000, among others.

  • The shorter variant can also be found on ITV releases that were licensed to independent distributor Network Distributing.
  • It also makes a surprise appearance on the Talking Pictures TV airing of The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939).
Carlton Visual Entertainment
Granada Video
Granada Ventures
ITV DVD
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