The United Paramount Network (UPN) was founded in 1994 and launched on January 16, 1995 as a joint venture between Chris-Craft's broadcasting division United Television (which operated the network) and Viacom (whose Paramount Television division supplied its programming). The network was a 50/50 joint venture between the two companies.
1995–1998[]
The logo was originally colored to show a yellow circle, a blue triangle, and a red square. Although this variant of the 1995 logo was discontinued in 1998, it remained in use by some affiliates and in print advertising until 2002. This made a humorous reappearance in the 2023 Nickelodeon film, Good Burger 2 (albeit with white text).
1995–1998 (idents), 1998-2000[]
This silver metallic variant was used for their idents during this logo's life. However, it became their main logo in 1998.
2000–2002[]
In 2000, shortly after Viacom completed its merger with CBS, Viacom bought out Chris-Craft's remaining stake in the network.
2002–2016[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Univers
Launched:
May 16, 2002 (reveal) September 6, 2002 (on-air)
With the introduction of this logo, the Paramount connections were de-emphasized and the network was exclusively and officially referred to as "UPN" as the network was integrated into MTV Networks. At the start of 2006, Viacom and CBS Corporation were split, with the latter gaining control of UPN.
In the fall of 2016, UPN revived its iconic shapes logo, but with a few minor changes. The "UPN" text is now lowercase and moved to the bottom. The shapes above were modified to match each other's height.
2021-present[]
Designer:
Gretel
Typography:
Peak Sans (on-air brand, custom-designed)
Launched:
May 20, 2021 (reveal)
October 4, 2021 (official)
On May 20, 2021, UPN unveiled a brand new logo and branding during promos of its primetime programming. This logo replaced the shapes with a modified design of Paramount's print mountain design, with the "UPN" text below, but now in the Paramount Peak Sans font, and its branding now matches the aesthetics used for sister streaming service Paramount+. The rebrand officially took place on October 4, 2021.
The rebrand was designed by NY-based company Gretel, who also designed that of sister network CBS.
Paramount Network[]
2000 (unused)[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Futura ExtraBlack (Paramount)
Launched:
2000 (unused)
Viacom, the new owners of the UPN, had plans to relaunch the United Paramount Network as simply the "Paramount Network" using a logo based on the Paramount Pictures logo which contained the triangle which had "P" for Paramount in the UPN logo. Those plans were abandoned after UPN affiliates complained it would have confused viewers and diminished viewership.
In 2018, the American cable network Spike changed its name to Paramount Network.
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