History Television is launching a new on-air look, design elements and programming on May 3.

The logo was designed to be brighter, with a bolder colour scheme, and more modern. The new on-air packaging evokes gaming and graphic novel styles. A new series of on-air elements detail important events and past-to-present happenings of the day, whether it’s a space landing, a historical battle or the death of a notable explorer or modern-day celeb. The elements for the new look were produced in-house by the Canwest Broadcasting Creative Agency.

The new programming will continue the net’s encompassing view of history. Final 24, a Canadian series examining the final day in the life of famous (or infamous) personalities, begins on May 9. The military-based drama NCIS begins May 19. A new Monday night film block begins on June 16, featuring Hollywood blockbusters like Alexander and Kingdom of Heaven.

‘History means different things to different people, and that’s reflected in this new look,’ says History Television CD Kevin Watson. ‘It’s the perfect time to update our on-air branding to reflect the new programming and direction of the channel.’

History Television’s new, more modern programming has helped the net’s average minute audience grow 15% for Adults 25-54 since winter 2006. Programs like Rome, Aftermath and Dogfights have also helped History increase its numbers in younger demos, growing the adults 18-49 audience by 28% in the past two years and the women 25-54 viewership by 46% in the same period.