Universal Pictures Debut Network

Credits

Descriptions by
MatthewLMayfield and LMgamer36

Video captures courtesy of
Broken Saw and Michael Strum

Background

Universal Pictures Debut Network was a syndication block of movies from Universal Pictures from the 1980s-early 90s.

1st Logo (1980s-Early 1990s)

Visuals: On an animated starry space background, the Earth revolves as "UNIVERSAL PICTURES" comes in from the right of the planet and arches itself around the front. Then the text:

DEBUT
NETWORK

flies in from the bottom and rests below "UNIVERSAL PICTURES". All of the text is in a white 3D font with red sides.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A male voiceover saying the following messages, such as "We'll return to [Movie name] with [Actor]"/"[Movie name] with [Actor] will return in a moment"/"Now, back to [Movie name] with [Actor]"/"And now, the conclusion of [Movie name] with [Actor]". On commercial breaks, the announcer says "Next on Universal Pictures Debut Network"; sometimes, the announcer says "Universal Pictures Debut Network's presentation of [Movie name] is brought to you by [sponsor]".

Availability: A notable airing is DC Cab (1983), and it was also seen on an commercial for Halloween III: Season of the Witch (also released in 1983).

2nd Logo (1990s?)

Visuals: The 1990 Universal logo is seen, but it's pink-tinted, sped-up, and bylineless. Once "UNIVERSAL" positions in, "DEBUT NETWORK" in the same color as "UNIVERSAL" fades beneath it.

Technique: Motion-controlled animation.

Audio: This time, a different male voiceover says the same messages above.

Availability: Seen on movies aired in the block from the era, such as an airing of Twins (1988).