Closing logos of Viacom
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1971–1976The logo used from 1971 to December 19, 1976 starts with the syllables of "viacom" (in lower case) appearing one at a time rapid fire, one for each of the three notes of the jingle's first part. The screen also changes color, from red to green and then violet. After the word is completed, the screen scrolls back to reveal the words "a viacom presentation" (the words in the Peignot font) on a blue screen. A final note holds until the jingle's conclusion. Some have described the music as sounding like those produced by pinball machines.1976–1985
 Of all its production logos, Viacom is best known for its fancy-cut "V." It has been described as "mountainous," but less kind adjectives are also frequently used, such as the Creepy Purple V of Death, Big Violet V of Evil, Killer V, and most commonly, The V of Doom. This logo ran from December 20, 1976 to December 31, 1985. It might be seen at the end of old prints of classic CBS shows like I Love Lucy, though newer prints usually replace it with the Paramount Television logo. It starts with the phrase "A Viacom Presentation," zooming in quickly from the center of the screen. Then, the fancy-cut, purple V comes from the center and gradually moves closer and closer, eventually taking up most of the screen. The accompanying music is a loud five-note synthesized horn section with a timpani drum crescending throughout, and even after the logo fades away the kettledrum's echo can still be heard.
A network television version usually had the V and the name "Viacom" zooming in together. This was found (for one) on the made-for-TV movie production of Dear Detective. This variant usually incorporated a show's closing theme rather than the synth/drum music of the regular version. 1986–1990
 In 1986, Viacom introduced a CGI-produced closing logo. While the fancy-cut V itself remained the same, it was given a silvery look and rotated along a purple gradient background, while the music was changed to a synthesized jingle reminiscent of the THX theme.
In 1985, the network television version of the violet logo was replaced by a still image of the fancy-cut V in pale blue set on a black background, with the Viacom name in white, placed below the V with no music playing through it. This was the closing logo used at the end of TV shows such as Matlock and made-for-TV movie specials such as Return to Mayberry, as well as the first twelve made-for-TV movie adaptations of Perry Mason. These versions were used until January 1990. Some versions of the Silver V logo (Like at the end of Super Mario Bros. Super Show etc...) are shorter with no jingle and a higher pitched sound. A rare version featured the same logo, but after it finishes rotating, it remains on screen as purple background glows behind the Silver V, which then vividly shines twice before fading out. 1990–2005
 In January 1990, Viacom unveiled a brand new print logo, an animation of which, introduced in the fall of that year, was used to close programs accompanied by new age-style music. This was used in syndication until 1994, when Viacom's syndication unit was incorporated into Paramount Domestic Television. The word "PRODUCTIONS" was added below the Viacom text in 1994, when this part of the company was changed to a production company only.Also in 1990, Viacom added a TV movie unit, entitled "Viacom Pictures". This was used as part of Showtime original movies from 1990-1995. In 1998, Viacom unveiled a new animation, with the company trademark name in purple on a purple background with the word "PRODUCTIONS" (with similar organization to the previous logo) and the byline "a Paramount company." This was Viacom's last closing logo, as its production operations were absorbed into Paramount Television in 2004. (The Viacom corporate logo itself lasted until the CBS/Viacom split, when the new Viacom unveiled a new logo.) 2006 and beyond
 Viacom spun off CBS Corporation, thus the company introduced a new logo on January 1, 2006. It appears to have no animation yet, as the other old logos have.
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