World International Network

Background

World International Network (WIN) was a TV-movie production cooperative whose members were television networks and distributors in several countries (originally over a dozen) worldwide. It was founded and managed by Larry Gershman. In late 1995, Gershman sold the original incarnation of WIN to its English and German partners (Carlton and ARD), who renamed it Hamdon Entertainment; Gershman subsequently started a new "World International Network, Inc." that used the same logo and has produced and/or distributed over 100 additional films. As of 2019, Leslie Gershman Wandmacher owns WIN and its post-Hamdon library. The older pre-1995 Hamdon-owned productions are now either owned by ITV or Multicom Entertainment Group.

1st Logo (placehoder logo) (November 27, 1988)

Visuals: On a blue background, the tall white letters "WIN" are seen in encased in a rectangular outline, with the text "World International Network" seen below it. Beneath the logo, a list of 11 international broadcasters and distribution companies are seen.

Technique: Printed card in front of a camera.

Audio: The end theme of the movie.

Availability: Only seen on In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders, possibly as a placeholder logo.

1st Logo (1988-1999)

Visuals:

1988-1990: On a space background, the blue gradient text "World International Network" is seen at the top of the screen, while a long list of several international television broadcasters (possibly to represent the companies that they distribute for) are seen below in white. The list then disappears via a sparkling dissolve effect, "World International Network" moves down to the lower middle part of the screen, and an gold ovoid plate cut in the shape of Earth's continents (at least the Northern Hemisphere), rises up from the bottom of the screen. Gold and white dust then rise up from the plate and form the giant 3D letters "WIN" in a haphazardly-placed fashion facing southwest, while the plate brightens up.
1990-1999: Same as before, but the text is now styled as "WORLD INTERNATIONAL NETWORK", the background is now animated with stars shooting forwards, and the logo is redrawn to look shinier. Starting in 1996, the logo was reanimated to have the first half permanently cut out, and the text is redesigned to be taller and have "LLC" added to the company's name.

Variants:

The logo is usually videotaped, but a filmed version exists.
The list of broadcasters differs from time to time, and early instances have the regions placed first and the companies placed second, while latter uses have it reversed.
An abridged version is used most of the time, with "World International Network" already in place.
"In Association With" may also be shown at the top of the logo.
A still version exists.
- A rare still version of the 1988 version exists where the logo is smaller and put at the top of the screen, while the list of broadcasters is seen below.
- An later version has the text with a white gradient at the top of it, and the background redesigned to have blue nebulas, similar to the next logo.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio:

1988-1992: A whoosh sound is heard when the letters are formed.
1990-1996: A synth choir with some twinkles.
1995-1999: A synth violin, followed by three faint drum notes and two synth hits. It concludes with a pattern of rising beeps. Sometimes, its abridged.
Other times, silence, the ending theme of the program, or a network's generic theme can be heard.

Audio Variants:

On a print of Her Married Lover, the music from the next logo is heard.
On a French-Canadian VHS of Kid Cop, the theme is low pitched.

Availability:

1988-1990: A few TV movies from the time period used this, such as L.A. Takedown, When He's Not a Stranger, Day One, and Where Pigeons Go to Die, among others.
1990-1999: Can be found on many TV movies from the period which often reran on Lifetime Movie Network and other networks throughout the world, most of the films also stream throughout the world.
On current prints, this may be followed by or even plastered with the 1998 Hamdon logo, a Carlton logo (as on one print of A Message from Holly), or possibly a Granada or ITV logo.

2nd Logo (October 13, 1998-)

Visuals: On a black background, a solar corona appears and moves a bit as flames come off of it and a lens flare runs down the side, while a space background with pulsating blue nebulas fades in. The corona fades out as its revealed to be the plate from before as its surface ripples, and the "I" rises up from the plate. This is followed by the "W" and "N", forming the "WIN" from before in 3D, and the camera zooms and rotates out from it as that happens. Below the plate, the text "WORLD INTERNATIONAL NETWORK LLC" fades in below and pans into view, and when the logo settles into place, a light sweeps across the text, giving it a white gradient stripe in the middle.

Variants:

Sometimes, the logo is still. "In Association With" may also appear above the logo.
A short version just shows the text shining.
Starting with Snowbound, the original text is plastered with a black rectangle that reads "WORLD INTERNATIONAL NETWORK INC" without the white gradient. As a result, the logo has heavier contrast and saturation in order to blend the 2 together.
A true 16:9 widescreen version exists.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A majestic orchestral fanfare, ending in three synth hits.

Audio Variant: An abridged version of the theme exists, with just the beginning's drumroll and the final three synth hits.

Availability: Can be seen at the beginning (and sometimes at the end) of later WIN TV movies on Lifetime Movie Network. The company still exists (their most recent production is 2019's Rediscovering Christmas), but are no longer using a logo, instead using a in-credit mention in the opening credits.