Channel 5 (1997-2002)

In the run up to launch day, Channel 5 ran two test transmissions on all of its new frequencies, in an attempt to see how it would affect video and satellite equipment and, if necessary, re-tune it. The test card message used to repeat twice then the advert below would come on. By the way, I wouldn't recommend ringing the number(god knows what it may lead to now!)

This was the other test transmission broadcast before launch. A few seconds are missed off the beginning and end (mainly with the date Sunday March 30th) due to tape issues, but otherwise the whole transmission remains in tact here. Within the last few weeks before launch, a cutdown version of this was shown alongside some of the actual channel promos.

The launch set of idents consisted of mixing live action into various buildups for the 5 logo. Here an elevator goes up the fifth floor, before we see various shots of the logo for reasons not totally apparent. Complete with continuity here promoting another typically sleezy show from the channel in its earlier days.

Another 1997 ident. This time it shows an effect of somebody in a studio.

A third 1997 ident, this time showing the 5 logo suspended in a sort-of frame.

A fourth 1997 version, showing loads of leaves and flowers and other stuff like that!

~ NEW! ~

For Channel 5's first Christmas in 1997, two festive idents were added to the channel each with longer and shorter variants for a total of four. The style of these was similar to the regular idents, just with the addition of lighting. The longer version of the 'orange' ident here, followed by a movie rating with festive background graphics matching the style in use on trailer endboards and next slides that year.

~ NEW! ~

The short version of Channel 5's orange/black ident from Christmas 1997. Complete with a festive movie rating graphic again.

~ NEW! ~

The long version of the 'blue' Christmas ident for Channel 5 in 1997, once again featuring a rotating 5 logo with Christmas lights, before briefly changing to a Christmas tree style partway through.

~ NEW! ~

The short version of the Channel 5's 'blue' Christmas ident for 1997.

A Christmas 1997 Channel 5 promo, with a slight twist. Ever ones for getting their money's worth in the early years this trailer had actually originally aired as part of the pre-launch build up for Channel 5 in March 1997 for their one off and less-than-critically-acclaimed medical comedy 'Hospital'. Here, as part of their New Year 1997/1998 programming, they repeat not only that show but use the exact same trailer from before launch just with the endboard updated to add in festive graphics and a new date. Even the TV shot in the middle still shows shots of from the original extended pre-launch 'swinging TV' promo for the channel.

~ NEW! ~

Another festively branded promo for Channel 5, this time providing a rundown of shows on the channel for New Year's Day 1998 with the decorations having been retained past Christmas itself.

~ NEW! ~

Another festively branded promo for Channel 5's daytime lineup for New Year's Day 1998. And almost in a throwback to their Spice Girls launch again, the afternoon selection is being branded up as 'girl power'.

~ NEW! ~

An example of the next slide from Channel 5's first Christmas on air in 1997. Similar in style to their regular slides of the time, just with some additional festive decoration added to the background.

After the turn of Channel 5's first New Year to welcome in 1998, the still in use Christmas idents for Channel 5 were updated to overlay text welcoming in the new calendar date. Apologies for poor reception on this clip.

The next slide from the launch package on Channel 5 was very similar to what had been revealed in pre-launch trailers. In it's early years, the new station quickly plumbed the depths with adult material in an attempt to bring in more viewers at a low cost, with continuity here teasing just one of their many such highlights.

The promo style for Channel 5 for 1998. Here promoting their UK version of the Fort Boyard gameshow, with flashes of their candy-cane colourscheme appearing throughout.

In 2000, Channel 5 introduced a selection of idents, featuring celebrities saying something. In this example it is Linford Christie. The celebrity bits were eventually dropped from these, possibly when 5 realised how cheesy they were, or possibly just as it became too costly to keep changing as celebrities moved on. After that change, they left just the logo at the end.

A special ident to mark Channel 5's much-hyped gameshow 'Greed'. As is often the case with much-hyped programmes (ITV take note) the programme ultimately flopped in the end, but we still got an ident out of it.

A special 'Martial Arts Weekend' ident, used on Easter Sunday 2001 to mark a collection of shows and movies on the channel. Here being used into the film Kickboxer.

From Martial Arts Weekend over Easter 2001, a specially themed break bumper, here used during the movie 'Martial Law'.

Another break bumper from Martial Arts Weekend on Channel 5, here being used during the movie 'Kickboxer'.

Channel 5's promo style for this era usually consisted of endboards set in the main signature colours of the channel. Here an orange version, used to promote one of the many films being shown on the channel at the time.

An ECP from 2000-2002 in the Channel 5 era. Here using the green colour from their colour bars in the background.

In 2002, yet another new set of idents came along. It must be said that Channel 5 were certainly keen to keep their on-screen look fresh! Even this set ddint last long though (6 months!!). This time they feature coloured squares, and a nice 5-note jingle. There are different coloured idents, corresponding to some of the signature colours of Channel 5.

The blue variant of the March 2002 logo.

The third of the main March 2002 idents, this time in Magenta (or purpley-pink, if you dont want to use fancy names).

A special version of the blue ident used before films! This file includes the film rating!

A variant of the orange ident, used at 6pm, to introduce an hours of soaps, hence the name 'Soap Hour'.