Hasta La Motion!

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For the first time in six years, Five is giving itself a rebrand. The new look network has dropped the lower case type, and replaced it with a logo that’s just a little reminiscent of way BBC One do things.

Coming on-air for the first time last night, the look isn’t the only thing to change, with a new approach to promotions and ad breaks also coming into effect.

While the new look is just as slick as any other UK network, it manages to lack some the unity of other network idents, and although I’ve only seen this selection, I’m pretty confused as to what its all meant to mean, if anything.

For me though, Channel Five are going to have a hard time topping this.

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We’ve been promised a distinctively Australian version of Top Gear, so far though it resembles a distinctively franchised version of “regular” Top Gear.

As with the British version of the show, they’ve used the beginning of the first episode to tease us with what’s in the season ahead, which should give you a good idea of what kind of show we’re in for. As always, judge for yourself.

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As television readies itself to enter an alternate universe, where Kath and Kim is acted by Americans, and Top Gear is hosted by Australians, the folks at SBS are prepping for one of the biggest launches in their history.

Top Gear Australia will be the first international version of the show, and makes its premiere September 29th. The new series is being referred to as “very Australian” by anyone who’s caught a glimpse. And good or bad, it should be interesting to watch, if for no other reason then to say how it can never stand up to the original…

Just like everyone does with The Office.

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In a rare show of solidarity, three of the big commercial networks in the US dedicated an hour of commercial free programming to broadcast the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon. With the usual mix of serious appeal and humour, the highlight of the night was Homer Simpson’s fantastic voyage into his own colon.

NBC, ABC and CBS simulcast the event Friday night with all money raised going to the translational cancer research, which “encourages scientists to collaborate rather than compete, translating basic science into applicable therapies for patients.”

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I like to consider the old BBC One idents as the reason I started this site. And while this new set that launched in 2006 doesn’t grab me in the same way, they’re still some of the best television branding going around.

These three new additions stay true to the formula, with the spectacular ‘Helicopter’ spot being introduced on new years day this year, and the other two going to air for the first time just days ago in late August.

Check out the rest of the current set of BBC One idents here.

– Thanks to the combined efforts of Andy and Andrew for the videos.