ITV Encore coming June 2014

That's exactly what I have in mind.

I think that would be deviating too far from the house style. I get what you mean with the emphasis (considering the size of the numbers with the numbered channels), but I think the length of the text would prevent it being as tall as the numerals; I reckon it would match the ITV Player logo in terms of sizing.

I can imagine a smaller ITV logo above a stylised Encore. I think brand will stand out more than the others with it being a premium offering so well be allowed more freedom, but of course they'll want to keep the link to ITV too.

Interesting, I'd never thought if ITV or "Encore" would be more prominent. A few very quick ideas:

http://s28.postimg.cc/5sad0e8v1/encore.jpg

This is the sort of thing I was thinking of. Something a bit more stylised.

That sort of logo does look nice, but I still expect the house style to be intact after just a year.

Actually, I imagine there may be some flexibility with the house style here.

Given that the current naming convention for most of the ITV channels is to use numbers rather than words, this is slightly unchartered territory for ITV - at least in terms of the current on-screen look. Even where words are in use - such as the sub-brands (ITV News, ITV Sport, ITV Player) - the house style isn't really that well developed or good enough for it to be applied to an entire channel, especially a premium service that isn't FTA.

It will be interesting to see what they actually come up with, but I'm inclined to think that the only thing we can be sure about at this stage is that the ITV logo will be consistent with the shape of the logo elsewhere, and that its on-screen positioning will remain on the left?

Yes, as someone suggested earlier, Encore could be the Tesco Finest of ITV, as a more premium channel with its own unique style that sets it apart from the basic channels.

Would suggest that this project needs a couple of things to gain credibility.

1. A junior partner to part own the channel, so it's management is somewhat at an arms length from the traditional PSB and other channels that ITV plc operates.

2. Acquiring content for the channel, so that viewers have an incentive to watch a channel that's not a repeats or first runs from the usual ITV offerings.

A public statement of plans going forward over the next five years, would help get advertisers on board early too.

Some very interesting suggestions there, but what makes you think the project is lacking in credibility?

History SN, there's been numerous 'threats' to do this over the years, all of which have faltered. In addition the ITV Digital memories are still pertinent albeit years ago and times (and management) have changed. Presumably this will not be a standalone proposition so the income stream will be small if packaged, as has been mentioned. An additional investor would be useful for promotion purposes, Scripps maybe.

EDIT ... Bringing in a partner now would help, should the channel be successful, get the channel carriage internationally and be a catalyst to gather the currently disparate distribution of ITV content globally together.

As for additional content this would be attractive to viewers looking for alternatives and might attract traditional ITV refusniks to the channel.

Interesting take on things, but must admit I’m inclined to disagree with you though …

For a start, I’m not sure how relevant it is to bring up ITV Digital. Not only was that many years ago and under entirely different management, but that was a platform as opposed to a channel after all, and the reasons for its failure are fairly well documented. When it comes to channels though, ITV is pretty successful. I think I’m right in saying its digital channels (certainly ITV2) out-perform just about every other channel on most platforms, with the exception of the main PSBs.

Not sure a joint venture would be considered either. While it might make good business sense (as has been shown to be the case with UKTV), I’m not convinced ITV would necessarily feel the need to go into partnership with another company in order to make a success of ITV Encore. I’m fairly certain the main reason behind the BBCW/Flextech and now BBCW/Scripps partnership is because the UKTV channels operate on a commercial basis and carry advertising within the UK, which is at odds with the BBC's licence-fee funded operations elsewhere in the UK, hence the need for an arms-length approach. The same issues don’t really apply to ITV though?

And besides, the new channel will presumably benefit from heavy cross-promotion on other ITV channels, and ITV hasn’t normally struggled to get advertisers/sponsors on board for any of its programmes or time-slots either (although I’m pretty sure it will be briefing media agencies round about now).

But like you say, acquiring decent content for the channel will be key, if it is to attract paying customers and avoid being seen as just another channel showing repeats ...