Download the whole H264 bunch in one swoop here (115mb *.zip).
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Above is the ever growing collection of Channel 4′s current set of idents. The simple idea that flows through all these idents is the creation of “the 4″, be it optical illusion, supernatural intervention or coincidence, the iconic Channel 4 logo rears its head at some point during all these videos.
The basic premise leaves open many possibilities to play with, which perhaps also explains the longevity that these idents retain. New idents continue to be produced by Channel 4, and are added to the top of this post, with the most recent addition being: roller coaster.
This remains simply one of the best set of idents I’ve seen. Any new idents will be added to this post as I find them.
For more Channel 4 awesomeness check out the Channel 4 category of this blog for lots more videos, or watch some of the special/one-off idents that Channel 4 have produced for various occasions below.
One-off and special idents created by Channel 4:
While its not entirely a Channel 4 ident as such, this promo for The Killers weekend on 4 does follow the same structure and is very cool….
> Quicktime H.264
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> RealPlayer Media
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The Simpsons got their own ident to coincide with the launch of the movie earlier…
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To celebrate 25 years of broadcasting Channel 4 also recreated their classic original ident, along with a montage of the various idents they have used over the past quarter century.
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The Tokyo ident is playing out in 1080i on C4′s trial HD channel.
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There’s a longer version of the Alien ident here: http://thetvroom.com/p-ch4-2005-b.shtml
They only really played it in full when the new set was introduced, I haven’t seen it like that since.
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I have to agree – these some of the best idents I’ve ever seen. Some people have complained that the ’4′ isn’t formed for long enough, but I think that’s part of their charm…
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There’s one missing from the collection. It’s a concert stage with the 4 made up of lighting equiptment, speakers, rigging etc. It was introduced at the same time as the awesome ‘Tokyo’ ident.
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There’s another one. People setting up a gig, and all the amps and rigging etc make up the 4. Then, I think that’s it!
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There’s an elusive one at a harbour as well
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These are fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
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Channel 4′s presentation is by far the best in the UK however you don’t have the complete collection yet. There is one that is filmed at a large cargo port/harbour and the four is formed from shipping crates and cargo cranes. It’s been used before big brother for the past few days.
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i think theres definitely going to be a few more idents released by channel 4 because i read that that the music for all these idents was commisioned by a company called ‘blue’ , based in london. at the time the stage, tokyo and harbour idents had not been shown. it said on their website that “8 of the 15 idents are currently on air, with more set to follow shortly”.
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Another New ident launched – this time showing a man slouched on a setee with pieces of setee swivelling around to make the 4 logo. Maybe a daytime ident.
More info here : http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22042&sid=bf45d18a038b91adbca0dab336ce3a2c
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There was yet another new one during before ‘Lost’ last night. It was on a plinth in Trafalgar Square, with Nelson’s Column in the background. Just thought you should keep an eye out.
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Great set of idents there! You do appear to be missing the sofa idents which was shown sometime in September.
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And yet another ident from Channel 4 was shown last night (19th October) before the Channel 4 news, this time of a rocky bay type place on the sea, very similar to the “Lost” setting
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Theres a new one coming soon with an old drunk man with beer crates flying past.
go to http://www.channel4sales.com/advertising/our_brands/c4
then click “Old Man Ident” from the list.
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They are a fantastic set, of the lot I have to say my favourite is Pylons, it’s the simplicity of it, along with the fantastic soundtrack.
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AH! You’ve missed one! There’s a guy watching Countdown with all these bits of 4 going around him, they have his dinner on and the remote for the TV and stuff. But it’s VERY rare now.
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Not that it really matters as it’s kind of fiction, but the stage indent… Jesus, mess mess mess.
And that audio design – ouch. I know most people wouldn’t know the difference but that must sound… weird. Who still uses 3way boxes in a touring application…
Great all the same! I still love it!
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hey i’m currently doing a project based on the whole series of channel4 idents, does anyone know who is the designer(s) of the whole thing?
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Ahem: http://www.bluepp.co.uk
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re: cath
ahem: russell appleford and bret foraker of MPC and 4 Creative
http://www.dandad.org/awards2005/entry.asp?entry_id=V_12873
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THE tv forum website for the sofa one is not working, can u send me the sofa clip to
CWalker@robertogden.rotherham.sch.uk
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There is alos a promo for U2
and the Old Man and Sofa one
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SOFA IDENT SPOTTED AT TMF EXTRA
Callum
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New ident spotted…one called Dubai? Has building work, all comes together to form the 4…very nice n subtle again!
http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24547
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But how are they done?
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Another new one =)
Rollercoaster
http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26622&start=24
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Does any one know where they filmed the roller coaster? my daughter saw it and desperatly wants to try it out… (yeh Im a sucker and am trying to find it for her)
Ruey
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LOL at the pigeons ident.
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Does anyone know if there is a long version of the ‘Bales’ and ‘Market’ idents? or is that how short they are?
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