Junior (Germany)

Background
Junior is a German preschool channel which has been broadcast in Germany since 1996 and Israel since 1997 for children between 3 and 7 years of age. Junior was owned and operated by EM.TV from 1996 to 2008. In 2006, the rights of all Junior shows along with the libraries of Yoram Gross shows were purchased by Belgian animation company, Studio 100. In Germany, as of April, 2007, it timeshares the channel slot with XL TV (anime) after 8 PM. Former TV channels which timeshared with Junior includes EGVHToon (cartoons), Gametrix (video games), later GTV (video games), and d+ (entertainment, now RTL Nitro). After EM.TV rebranded to EM.Sport Media, Junior was eventually sold to Studio 100 in 2008.

1st Logo (1990-1999)
Nickname: "Peeling Letters"

Logo: On a yellow background, each letter in different colors was peeled and the background color changed from one by one.

Trivia: Before its channel was launched in 1996, the channel's then owner Kirch Group used the name and logo as a brand for the children programming the company owned and distributed.

Variant: An still version without a gnome exists on Twipsy.

FX/SFX: The letters peeling one by one.

Music/Sounds: A synthesized hip-hop jingle with a ripping sound at the end.

Availability: Extremely rare. Seen on old German tapes. This may be spotted on some Taurus Video tapes. Also seen at the beginning of 1994-95 TVP1 airings of the 1976 Pinocchio anime.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1996-1999)
TBA.

3rd Logo (1999-2005)
Logo: On a yellow background, we see the Junior logo with a byline that says "Junior by EM.TV".

Variants:
 * An prototype version exists where the background is shaded yellow and without the two blue rings.
 * An animated variant exists with a cartoon boy named Junior (a former Junior mascot; who somewhat resembles a cross between Rayman and Angelica Pickles from Rugrats) in a Vanna White pose. A translucent swirl zooms out in the background, then he winks.
 * An early version exists where the "Junior" text is bigger, centered and it uses the prototype text instead. Junior is also now at the top center of the screen. The byline also is in a different font.
 * An version with the URL (www.myJunior.com) exists.
 * Another version without the byline and the URL also exists.
 * An rare variant without the text in the bottom exists.
 * An in-credit version with EM.TV logo of this variant also exists.
 * Another early version uses the prototype text exists.

FX/SFX: None. The animated variant had the swirl, then Junior winks and the hand moves.

Music/Sounds: None or the closing theme of the show. The animated variant uses a pop tune (taken from the Junior & Co. shorts), then a brass hit for Junior winks.

Availability: Seen on various DVDs such as Maya the Bee (1975 series), Vic the Viking (1973 series), etc. The animated variant was seen on Junior & Co. and Rainbow Fish.

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (2005-2015?)
Logo: We see the Junior logo but it depends on the variants.

Variants: Depends on the variants.

FX/SFX: Depends on the variants.

Music/Sounds: Depends on the variants.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

Background
Planeta Junior is a Grupo Planeta and De Agostini company, a European leader in the creation and commercialization of content and entertainment properties for children and young adults. It was formed in 2000, Planeta Junior is present in the major European markets including Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey and Eastern Europe, where it has offices in Poland and Hungary. In every office, international teams specialize in content distribution, licenses and merchandising, retail and experiences to develop entertainment and lifestyle brands. In 2008, Planeta Junior purchased EM.TV AG (now Studio 100). Planeta Junior produces and represents entertainment content with leading international content creation companies, including ZAG Animation, On Animation, SuperProd, Cottonwood, Studio 100, Animoka, Mobo, and SAMG.

1st Logo (2003-2015)
Logo: On a cartoon space background, we see the three planets: a red Saturn with a yellow ring, Mars and a yellow moon. Suddenly, the colorful letters bouncing when camera zooms to a yellow background to form the Planeta Junior logo.

Variants:
 * An short version exists.
 * Fullscreen and widescreen versions exist.
 * An rare version exists where the logo is inside a box on a black background.

FX/SFX: Great CGI by Joan Carles Vendrell.

Music/Sounds:
 * A stock orchestra scale and weird bouncing sounds for the letters.
 * A futuristic space music and same sounds as the 1st variant.
 * A high-tone version exists on both variants.
 * The short version uses the second music.

Availability: Common. Seen on various Spanish and Portuguese DVDs such as Maya The Bee, Vic the Viking, and Johnny Test, among others.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (2015- )
Logo: On a white background, a dot fades in, then a another dot by sticking together with it. Next, the black dot become, and another color forms as a background, before it forms a logo. Finally, the word "Planeta Junior" and the byline "A Planeta & De Agostini Company" shines.

FX/SFX: 2D animation.

Music/Sounds: A xylophone tune.

Availability: Current and common.

Editor's Note: None.