Disney Cinemagic HD launched today via the Sky platform, but the output is blighted by the most obnoxious digital on-screen graphic (DOG) of any of the UK's high definition channels.

Disney's standard-definition channels are widely considered the worst offenders when it comes to on-screen logos, with their intrusive positioning and screen-burning, solid primary colours, but their HD version is even more offensive, what with it being both huge and super-imposed upon what is supposed to be their premium offering.  Sure, it has slight transparency, but imagine going to see Snow White at the cinema and finding a huge pair of green Mickey Mouse ears occupying the lower left hand portion of the screen.

Here's the logo over a programme called Kim Possible.  That girl could have somebody's eye out, but I digress, click for a version at the original broadcast size...

Kim Possible - Click for a Larger Version

...and just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, the same DOG repositioned in the 4:3 frame for the upscaled SD cartoon series, Tarzan. Well, at least it is in the correct aspect ratio.

Tarzan - Click for a Larger Version

There's a good chance that Disney's classic films (old and new) will be shown with this logo, in which case we'll be boycotting the channel.

UPDATE: This weekend's HD première of Pixar's Ratatouille was broadcast with a repositioned, slightly smaller and more opaque version of the logo. An improvement so perhaps someone at Disney is listening, but it's still far too distracting and intrusive.

Ratatouille - Click for a Larger Version

If, like me, you feel like complaining, here are a couple of useful links:

E-mail Disney Cinemagic in the UK: feedback@disneycinemagic.co.uk
Sky Viewer Relations: Website Form (it's not really Sky's fault but every little helps)

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