Bravo

Bravo originally started out life in 1985 on cable tv, and progressed to the Astra satellite in 1993, as part of the Sky multi channels package. It showed classic tv series and films. Today the channel is now an entertainment channel for men, some classic shows and ‘lad culture’ original programming. Bravo is owned by and operated by Virgin Media Television, formerly Flextech. The channel was shutdown in 2010.

1985 – 1995

1995 – 1997

Some examples of Bravo print promotional material…

1997 – 2000

Launched Feb 3rd 1997 possibly the scariest idents ever shown on British television. To reflect the new late night transmission times and it’s approach as “an altered species of television.” Featuring intentionally, unpleasant imagery to distort the imagination – a madman with a screwdriver, Pickled eyeballs and a bowl of maggots amongst the set Designed by Red Pepper Film Company – Graphic design by Mark Harris, Produced by Andy Godden and Directed by Richard Markell

2000 – 2003

Some examples of break bumpers

2003 – 2006

A new bland look was introduced mainly using now and next.

2006 – 2010

Towards the end of September 2006, Bravo underwent a major big budget revamp to mark its 21st year of broadcast in the UK, complemented by the strapline “Bravo – Entertaining men since 1985”. Flextech Creative was responsible for the new identity, which had been designed to reflect Bravo’s “witty and confident values” from 21 years of “seasoned heritage”.Jonathan Webb, head of Bravo, Challenge and Trouble said: “Last year we embarked upon repositioning Bravo to an upmarket entertainment channel with wider appeal to 16-44 year old males and with clever acquisitions and great commissions we are achieving this goal, “The brand update, high profile acquisitions and high quality originations demonstrate our heightened commitment to continue this evolution and provide our viewers with ever-increasing quality content.”A nationwide marketing campaign was also launched to help promote Bravo’s new autumn/winter programming lineup. At the forefront was CBS action drama The Unit and Danny DeVito comedy It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

2010 – 2011

On 25th May 2010 Bravo last look was unvield, craeted by the in houes team at Virgin Media Television with help from Creative Director Mark Walters, which includede a new tag line “home of the brave”Virgin Media TV head of creative Scott Russell said: “The challenge was to take the much-loved Bravo logo and give it a new on- and off-air look that matched the premium content and ambition of the channel. Home Of The Brave is more than just a strapline. It’s a philosophy that will keep evolving in the future and will look to engage the viewer and have them interact with the channel.” On September 15th 2010, it was announced that Bravo would closed down, and did so on 1 January 2011.