VIVA Logo PNG
VIVA Logo underwent a significant redesign in 2011 following MTV’s acquisition. The new version retained the original triangular composition but brought a refined, elevated aesthetic. The geometric figures now boasted straight sides and sharp angles, complemented by a shift to a monochrome color palette. Solid black triangles were set against a white backdrop, imbuing the emblem with a modern and stylish feel.
The redesigned VIVA logo offers a distinct break from typical logo designs, thus standing out in the market. Its modern, powerful, and memorable appeal aligns with the channel’s persona, particularly aimed at engaging younger audiences with discerning tastes.
The triangular composition in the logo can be seen as a symbol of stability and power. Moreover, triangles are also associated with change, direction, and purpose, suggesting that the logo channel is dynamic, forward-looking, and goal-oriented.
The adoption of a monochrome color scheme, while seemingly simple, evokes a sense of sophistication and elegance. The stark contrast between black and white reinforces the logo’s visibility and impact, enhancing its memorability.
The VIVA emblem conveys modernity, power, stability, sophistication, and dynamism, effectively reflecting the brand’s identity and the tastes of its target demographic.
VIVA was developed in 1992 after major record companies became dissatisfied with MTV Europe’s approach to the German market. MTV mainly aired English-language content and gave little space to German-speaking artists. Time Warner executives Tom McGrath and Peter Bogner brought together Warner Music, EMI Music, Polygram Records, Sony Television, and DoRo Productions, whose founders Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher had worked with Queen, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie.
VIVA launched on December 1, 1993, from rented Bertelsmann studios in Cologne-Ossendorf. Its first video was “Zu geil für diese Welt” by Die Fantastischen Vier, setting the tone for a channel built around German music. By 1997, its signal reached 96 percent of German cable homes, with 22 million households across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In 1995, VIVA Zwei was launched to play indie, electronic, and alternative music, while the main channel remained closer to youth pop and chart formats. Competition intensified on March 7, 1997, when MTV started a German-language version. MTV pushed sharper entertainment, while VIVA held to music videos, chart shows, and mainstream youth programming.
VIVA Zwei closed in 2002, and in 2003 the channel faced a scandal over unfair rotation advantages for Universal Music. After losses that year, Viacom, the owner of MTV, bought VIVA in 2004 for 310 million euros, with the deal finalized on January 14, 2005. In June 2018, Viacom announced the end of the VIVA network. On December 31, 2018, VIVA closed with a Spice Girls farewell special and the same Die Fantastischen Vier video that had opened the channel in 1993.
Meaning and History
The brand identity of VIVA was youthful, vibrant, and audacious. Its logo, a lively rendering of the name ‘VIVA’ in bold, bright letters, mirrored the channel’s energetic ethos and commitment to delivering exciting music content. The energetic shade, prominently featured in the logo and the channel’s visual theme, resonated with the spirit of youth, radiating vibrancy and innovation.
Its catchphrase, “Lebe Deine Musik,” meaning “Live your music,” embodied the channel’s philosophy of bringing the passion and creativity of music into everyday life. This tagline echoed the channel’s dedication to providing an engaging, immersive music experience for its audience, resonating deeply with music enthusiasts.
VIVA wasn’t merely a television channel but a music institution that celebrated the power of music and its influence on popular culture. Its unique brand identity encapsulated its youthful spirit, passion for music, and connection with its audience, allowing it to thrive as a beloved music television channel for many years.
What is VIVA?
VIVA was a music and entertainment television channel based in Germany that operated from 1st December 1993 to 31st December 2018. It was founded by Viacom International Media Networks Europe, and its headquarters moved from Cologne to Berlin in 2005. The channel broadcasts music videos, reality shows, and other entertainment programming primarily aimed at young adults. Although it was originally created as a German-language alternative to MTV, VIVA expanded over the years to broadcast in various languages and across multiple countries in Europe.
1993 – 2002
2002 – 2004
2004 – 2011
2011 – 2018
