Compiled by Eric Hartman, Matt Williams and Adam Pringle


Background: Operation Prime Time (OPT) was a syndication block of programming offered to independent stations in 1976 by what was then called MCA (now NBC Universal Television). It was MCA's desire to launch new television shows by having them run in first-run syndication. OPT's slogan was "Operation Prime Time for better programming." OPT and its successor company, Television Program Enterprises (TPE) were formed by Al Masini.


(1976-1987)

Nicknames: "OPT", "OPT Rainbow", "Rainbow Lines"

Logo: On a black background, four rainbow-colored lines, one coming from each side of the screen, come together to form the letters "OPT". The line from the left curves to form the "O", the lines from the bottom and the right combine together to form the "P", and the lines from the top and the right combine together to form the "T". When "OPT" is formed, the screen moves backward, as the words "Operation Prime Time" (in a rounded yellow font) appear from the right side and place themselves next to each letter. When everything is in place, the words "for better programming" appear in the bottom right hand corner. At the same time, you can see thin overlapping circles in the background.

FX/Cheesy Factor: The lines forming the "OPT", screen zooming backward, company name appearing from the right.

Music: A patriotic-sounding horn fanfare. In some cases, the last note of the jingle is very short, while sometimes it is longer.

Availability: Very rare. Originally appeared at the end of "Solid Gold" and various other syndicated programs and movies in the 70's and 80's, but it is still intact at the end of "Yogi's First Christmas" on Boomerang.

Scare Factor: Low to Medium, the dramatic music, the gaudy colors, and the rather abrupt animation might scare some, but it's a favorite of many.