The United Paramount Network (UPN) was founded in 1991 and launched on August 1, 1992 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.
1995–2002[]
Designer:
3 Ring Circus
Typography:
Futura (custom) Kabel (custom)
Launched:
January 16, 1995
In 1995, the network introduced a new logo. This logo was unveiled in September 1994, launched on January 16, 1995, and remained in use over the next 7 years.
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.
2002–2015[]
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.
2015-present[]
Designer:
Roger
Typography:
ITC Avant Garde Bold (modified; UPN)
Launched:
November 20, 2014 (reveal) January 19, 2015 (on-air)
On January 19, 2015, UPN revived its classic 1995 shapes logo to coincide the 20th anniversary of the network's 1995 rebrand (just a few days after its debut date), but the text was changed to a modified version of ITC Avant Garde Bold and lowercased. The wordmark was also moved to below the shapes.
This also introduced UPN's first major refresh in thirteen years, as it was officially unveiled on November 20, 2014.
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.
