Viacom Home Video

Background: In 1979, Viacom opened up a home video company for releases of old television programs, films, and new material. Originally based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, it was later relocated to New York alongside the main Viacom company. On March 11, 1994, Viacom Home Video was folded into Paramount Home Video, but this didn't take effect on-screen for another year.

1st Logo

(1979-1981)

Nicknames: "V of Doom", "The Return of the V of Doom"

Logo: On a sky blue background, a black version of the Viacom V zooms in at a very fast pace along with white text reading "Viacom Home Video" and slowly stops as the V takes up most of the screen. The logo then stays at a still for a few seconds and fades out.

Variants:

A rare variant where the Viacom V keeps zooming exists.

For black-and-white releases, the logo is in grayscale.

FX/SFX: The V and text zooming in.

Cheesy Factor: The logo looks hastily rushed.

Music/Sounds: A "futuristic" synthesized version of the 5-note Viacom theme, similar to that of the "Pinball" Viacom logo. The drums are nowhere to be heard.

Music/Sounds Variant: The first releases used the Viacom "V of Doom" music.

Availability: Rare, only seen on the few tapes sold under the Viacom Home Video label. The variant where the V keeps zooming is Near Extinct.

Scare Factor: High for the normal variant and High bordering on Nightmare for the variant where the V keeps zooming. The music is also rather ominous.

2nd Logo

(1981-1986)

Logo: Same as the 1981 Viacom logo, but "presents" is replaced by "Home Video"

Variant: A grayscale version exists for B&W releases.

FX/SFX: The rotating V, the color streaks, and the flash of "Home Video"

Music/Sounds: Music/Sounds: triumphant & intergalactic music with snare drums, horns, timpani drums, & strings Based on Gaumont Columbia RCA Video logo

Availability: Uncommon. It was seen on many tapes released during this period, such as The Andy Griffith Show: The Ball Game and Heckle and Jeckle and Other Terrytoon Favorites. Some of the first releases that include this logo are Dick Van ****'s Greatest Hits, My Three Sons: Volume One, and The Magnificent Lucille Ball. The last tape to ever feature this logo was You Have Entered The Twilight Zone.

Scare Factor: Low. It's much tamer compared to the last logo, though those who are expecting the previous may be surprised.

3rd Logo

(1986-1990)

TBA