TNN Originals

Background

The origins of the Spike cable television network are traced as far back as 1983, when "The Nashville Network" was founded as a country music network (not the first as it was founded two days after Country Music Television was formed). In 2000, the network was acquired by Viacom, who drastically changed its format and renamed it to "The National Network" (a.k.a. "The New TNN" for short) in an attempt to compete with networks like USA Network and TBS. In 2003, the channel was rebranded to "Spike TV", targeting a young male audience.

1st Logo (1983-2000)

Visuals: On a black background is TNN's logo; a red rounded-edge box with a white headstock inside of it, next to the big bold white letters "TNN". Copyright information is below, referring to then owners Opryland USA.

Variants:

An in-credit variant exists, one featuring more pronounced colors, another featuring a transparent headstock and thinner channel initials.
On Grand Ole Oprey Live and Fandango, the channel name is spelled out below the transparent headstock box variation, with the Opryland USA copyright.
On The Vault: Country Standard Time, there is a different variation of the logo, where it is encased in a white box and features the channel name spelled out in black. This is set above the logo for Jim Owens Entertainment, later owners of the channel.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: The closing theme of the show.

Availability: Appeared on original programs and county music concerts and documentaries from the time such as Top Card and The Life and Times of Hank Williams. On a British rerun of Grand Ole Oprey Live and Heartland airings of The Vault: Country Standard Time, the logo was kept, meaning it would be left intact if any of TNN's productions were to be reran again.

2nd Logo (2000-2003)

Visuals: On a gray background is The National Network logo of the era; 2 squares stacked on top of 2 others with the words "THE NEW" in teal with a white outline above it and the word "ORIGINALS" in gray. The squares in the TNN logo are filled with a gooey liquid being poured in from different angles; from the top for the upper left and lower right squares, the right for the top right square and the left for the bottom left. Each square has a different color liquid; from top-to-bottom and left-to-right: red, orange, gold, and magenta, with a similar effect occurring with "ORIGINALS" in grey.

Variants:

Can be seen with or without a copyright notice below.
There is an earlier version that didn't include "THE NEW".

Technique: Live-action effects.

Audio: The sound of water sloshing. In other cases it's the closing theme of the program.

Availability: Retained on the first three episodes of Ren and Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon on iTunes. Also seen on Taboo, very early episodes of MXC, Stripperella and Gary the Rat and plastered the Nickelodeon Animation Studios logo on TNN's reruns of the original Ren and Stimpy show.

TNN Originals

Spike Originals

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