1982 - 1987
First Start-UpJanuary 1st 1982
TVS starts up for the very first time, with their signature tune 'New Forest Rondo' by Sussex composer Richard Hill and welcoming viewers to the station is announcer Malcolm Brown.
TVS were one of the first ITV companies to use a programme menu during their start-up sequence.
Main Ident (Weekday/Weekend)1982
The symbol that soon became familiar with viewers in the South was designed by John Hayman.
The weekday and weekend idents were actually made twice. Once using a mechnical model shot on film, and again using video effects as shown here.
The Theme Tune
TVS Ident Theme Music1982
The striking brass-based theme tune for TVS was officially known as 'New Forest Rondo' and it was compossed by sussex composser Richard Hill. Several variations were recorded for use on promotions and we present these below along with several alternative arrangements of the main five-second ident theme.Richard Hill's Website
TVS Kaleidoscope1982 This mechnical kaleidoscope device was used for a short time to compliment in vision announcments.
Breakbumper1982
At the start of every advert break this optical appeared, briefly. A plain white TVS symbol bursts into six multi coloured symbols.
The animation lasts for just three seconds so we've provided a slowed down version in this clip.
TVS Clock1982/1984
A major difference between Southern and TVS was split programming for each half of the region. During the first few months some continuity was also split and individually labelled clocks as seen here, helped to make that distinction.
The clock shown on the left was a mechanical model but this was later replaced by a computer generated version as seen on the right.
Best View of the South1983
Introduced at the end of 1983 these promotional idents were used before all ITN news bulletins. There were several versions, including one depicting TVS' buildings and vehicles!
Ident Slide1984 This alternative static slide with a blue background was used during some daytime out-of-vision announcements.
TVS Spinner1985 This spinning symbol began to replace in-vision announcements during prime-time from 1985. Eventually it replaced nearly all in-vision continuity until TVS rebranded in 1987.
Originally a mechanical model, the version here is computer generated.
Summertime Special Ident1986
The TVS ident was modified for the variety series 'Summertime Special'. The pink-on-white colourscheme may look unusal but it is meant to look like a stick of rock.
1987 - 1989
When Greg Dyke arrived at TVS he ordered a complete rethink for the stations presentation. John Hayman designed several new idents for the relaunch with the aid of computers, the use of the TVS symbol was now scaled back and a greater emphasis was placed on the new metalic word logo. The introduction of the new look also brought an end to in-vision announcements.
Meanwhile Ed Welch (composer of the Blockbusters themetune amongst others) composed a new signature tune for station which was also adapted for use on Coast to Coast.
TVS Start Up Extended Ident1987 The new look was heralded in with this one-minute extended ident which was played as a start-up sequence everyday. A short while after the new look TVS began broadcasting a news update at 9.25 and this ident only appeared when there was a large enough gap in the schedule, most often appearing before Weekend World.
TVS Long Ident1987
This ident begins with the TVS word-logo in position before the main animation where the symbol is seen briefly spinning around before settling back into position with the added 'Television South' legend. The hold at the start allowed for announcements to be made before or after (or both!) the animation although annoucements were usually kept until after.
TVS Short Ident1987 This shorter ident starts with the TVS symbol rotating out from black. This ident was the one used before all TVS networked programmes until ITV stopped the practice the following year.
There was also another version of this ident, essentially the same ident in reverse with the symbol rotating to black, but it was dropped quite quickly. A static slide of the TVS word-logo and Television South legend was also used for some junctions.
Breakbumper1987
To match the new idents there was also a new breakbumper featuring a large TVS symbol which twists away and disappears from view.
TVS Clock1987
The new branding also brought a new clock. The face was the same but the background was changed.
The image on the right shows the clock that was shown before TV-am, it has a different background because it was also shown in the channel islands at the end of Late Night Late which was also broadcast on Channel Television. Announcements made around this programme reffered to the station as 'ITV for the South and South East of England and the Channel Islands'.
Christmas Ident1987 1987 saw a special ident created for Christmas for the very first time. 3D presents orbit a larger present labelled 'Christmas on TVS' and even the background has been given a festive touch.
Olympic Ident1988
ITV (and Channel 4) took on the job of broadcasting the 1988 Olympic Games. TVS adapted the usual ident, replacing the symbol with the Olympic rings. The theme tune is an amalganation of the TVS theme tune and the Olympics theme.1989
TVS restructured following the purchase of the American company MTM. As a result the parent company became known as TVS Entertainment, leaving the TV station with a clumsier title - TVS Television. Following the restructuring of the company the on screen presentation was updated. John Hayman softened the edges on his 1987 ident designs.
Unused ITV Generic Ident1989
At the same time as TVS were planning their new look a design that could unify the whole ITV network was being worked on. TVS opted not to use their version of the generic ident.
TVS Entertainment1989
This is purely a mock-up, but as TVS restructured in 1989 the newly formed parent company - TVS Entertainment adopted a triangle shaped logo. Perhaps designed to fit in with the new ITV network brand which also featured a triangular shape.
TVS Ident1989 The logo was made shinier for the 1989 ident and light continues to shine on the TVS word-logo after the main animation. Only one version was made but often the music and formation were left out and the broadcast cut straight to the logo shimmering away.
Note the new legened underneath the logo - Television as the station was now known by the akward name of TVS Television.
Christmas Ident1990 A magical christmas tree baulbaul decorated TVS for the festive period in 1990. Meanwhile Malcolm Brown makes a casual handover to the news.
Christmas Ident1991 In October 1991 staff at TVS learned that the company would no longer be part of ITV from 1993, perhaps that is why the designers went all out to celebrate Christmas in 1991 - they even hired Santa!
Thanks for Watching1992 On December 31st 1992, TVS ended transmissions after eleven years with a final programme, 'Goodbye to All That' celebrating the TVS decade. At the very end of the programme was a final rendition of the TVS fanfare and a last screening of the TVS ident, with just one subtle amendment to thank the viewers.