Litton Entertainment
BenIsRandom
Editions by
BaldiBasicsFan, Prodigy012 and NoneOfYourBusiness
Video captures courtesy of
Logo Central, Broken Saw and ENunn
Background
Litton Entertainment was founded in 1988 by Dave Morgan as Litton Syndications. The company started out syndicating sports-related specials; however in the 1990s, due to the Children's Television Act requiring television stations to air a weekly quota of educational programs, the company began to syndicate Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures. In 2007, the company bought syndication rights to 85 movies from the Castle Hill library from Peace Arch Entertainment. In 2009, the company began to produce original shows starting with Street Court.
Over the years, with the decline in children's television blocks on Saturday mornings, Litton began enacting deals with networks for blocks of educational live-action programming, gradually replacing all known blocks; this began in 2011 with a deal with ABC to syndicate Litton's Weekend Adventure, replacing ABC Kids. In 2013, Litton introduced their second Saturday morning programming block, CBS Dream Team for CBS, replacing Cookie Jar TV. In 2014, Litton introduced their third Saturday morning programming block, One Magnificent Morning for The CW, replacing Saban Brands' Vortexx block. On February 24, 2016, Litton introduced another Saturday morning programming block, The More You Know for NBC, ending the era of Saturday morning cartoons until the following year when Sinclair Broadcasting introduced KidsClick. Litton also operates Go Time, a syndicated Saturday morning block.
In January 2017, Hearst Communications acquired a stake in Litton. In late 2021, it was announced that Litton would rebrand into Hearst Media Production Group, and that it would be combined with Hearst's other production divisions; this occurred in January 2022.
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| 1st Logo (1995-2002) | 2nd Logo (2002-2005) | 3rd Logo (2005-2014) | 4th Logo (2014-March 23, 2022) |
1st Logo (1995-2002)
Visuals: On a cloudy gray background, a diagonal blue square with a rough line at the bottom is seen, mostly being gray while a paintbrush fills out the rest in a zigzag path. The words "LITTON SYNDICATIONS" in a condensed font ares embossed into the square. When the paintbrush leaves the square, the box flashes white, turning the text white and solid as well. The text shines with a few gray lines and the square shines with a ping at the top left.
Variant: There is a short version that starts when the name flashes.
Technique: 2D computer animation.
Audio: The last part of the Watercourse Road Productions theme, or a guitar tune.
Availability: The short version was seen on Critter Gitters in syndication, but has been plastered with the Creative Television Marketing logo on recent airings. It also appeared on Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures. Can likely be seen on VHS tapes of both series.
2nd Logo (2002-2005)
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Visuals: On a black background, a light flash forms the word "LITTON" flashing in, with a series of moving purple, blue and dark turquoise rectangles sliding toward the screen. Above is repeating lines of the name, and below is repeating lines of the slogan "INNOVATIVE. QUALITY PROGRAMMING", which slides in from the screen.
Technique: Computer animation.
Audio: None or the end theme of the show.
Availability: Seen on off-net reruns of Go for It! TV and Ask Rita, among others.
3rd Logo (2005-2014)
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Visuals: On a black background, the word "LITTON" is formed letter by letter. Then, two bright trails of light collide and create a flash, which reveals the word "ENTERTAINMENT" below that, and then the trails of light emerge from the flash and leave the screen.
Variants:
- On some shows from 2005 to 2007, a stylized "L" made of two navy blue blocks and a sea blue wave forms at the top, then the company name is formed as usual, albeit with "ENTERTAINMENT" being formed by various sparkles. The text is also glossier.
- Some shows with this variant have the stacked text "STUDIOS", "WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION" and "CORPORATE DIRECT" flashing in line-by-line at the bottom of the screen.
- A short version of the logo exists on The Tony Joyner Show.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: Only a synthesized whoosh as the word "ENTERTAINMENT" forms. Otherwise, it's the closing theme of the show. On NASCAR Angels, the first half of the MagicDust Television theme is heard over the logo.
Availability: It was seen on shows produced by Litton Entertainment from the time period. Although those shows no longer air, it can be seen on Born to Explore with Richard Wiese and possibly other Litton shows from the era on Netflix.
4th Logo (2014-March 23, 2022)
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Visuals: On a black background, a spark flies across the screen from left to right, then flies closer to the screen, turns and flies from right to left, revealing a dark cloudy/sunset background as well as the word "LITTON", which is tilted to the side a bit but turns around to face the viewer. "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below, and the logo shines.
Variants:
- Starting in 2017, the Hearst Television logo fades in below "ENTERTAINMENT".
- There is a version that is cropped to 4:3.
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
- 2014-2016: A deep synth note is heard through the entire logo, with a sword slashing sound when the logo shines. The synth is in the key of C.
- 2016-2022: A different deep synth note is held (in the key of D) with a 5-note orchestra tune.
Availability: Seen on all shows produced by Litton Entertainment from 2014 to 2022. Also appears tacked onto airings of Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures on Laff.
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