Contender Entertainment Group (UK)

Background : Contender Entertainment Group was started in 1994 as a home video company in UK. It was acquired by E1 Entertainment in 2007. On March 16, 2009, the company rebranded as E1 (UK) (now entertainmentOne [eOne; UK]).

1st Logo
(1994-1999) Logo : On a grey-white background, a VCR stop button symbol is seen. It then fades out and a pause button fades in, then a play button and then, a fast forward button. The right arrow on the fast forward button slides out of the square and goes to the right. "contender" fades in as the fast forward button fades out.

FX/SFX : Limited animation.

Music/Sounds : A catchy and funky beat with flutes and synths. A horn is heard at the end.

Availability : Rare. Seen on pre-1999 Art Attack VHS tapes.

Editor's Notes : None.

2nd Logo
(1997-2006)

Logo : On a space background, a star zooms slightly forward with the reflection of the red eagle in the logo. A blue comet aims at the star and after that, the star explodes and the view zooms out, revealing 8 stars that also reflect the red eagle, with orange-yellow stars and white stars created by the explosion. When we get to the last star, there is a blue flash and the red eagle is drawn (which happens to be the "E" in the logo), with the 8 stars behind the eye of the eagle (the blue star). The company's name is formed with a blue model of the text with purple, pink, orange and white light. The text, "ENTERTAINMENT GROUP" is formed with a "computer" effect, a ripple forms the company's website and the eye spins and flashes.

FX/SFX : CGI.

Music/Sounds : A fast-paced electronic theme, ending in a 3-note synth-string fanfare.

Availability : Appeared on UK VHS's and DVD's, such as Hong Kong movies and many children's series DVD's, such as CiTV Tellytots and The Story Makers. It has also appeared on anime releases, such as Beyblade and Yu-Gi-Oh! DVD's. Outside of VHS and DVD, it is seen on Tractor Tom and series 1 of Peppa Pig.

Editor's Notes : None.

3rd Logo
(2005-2009)

Logo : We see a blue skyline with water below, and London's recognizable buildings (this includes the London Wheel). Then an orange sun-like star rises beyond the wheel and the camera zooms in. We pass the buildings and the star flashes into the whole screen, then collides into the print red star with circle. Below, "CONTENDER" is seen and "FILMS" or "HOME ENTERTAINMENT" under it.

​ FX/SFX : CGI.

Music/Sounds : An orchestral theme, followed by a majestic fanfare.

Availability : Rare, this can still be easily found on DVD's such as New Police Story and 2005-2009 Peppa Pig DVDs.

Editor's Notes : None.