So, this has been long-awaited, hasn't it? Has everybody been gearing up for this moment? Honestly, I think we have.
Another month, another wave of brilliantly imagined fictional rebrands that put some actual media companies to shame. February 2025 delivered bold concepts that blurred the lines between reality and imagination where we (magically) got glimpses of a world where American cable channels get UK counterparts, personal brands receive sleek overhauls (this is a hint), and alternate histories of British broadcasting come to life. So, here's the situation: In case you’ve been living under a rock, last month on QLMB.cc, I shared my top picks for January mocks. This spurred a delightful surge of enthusiasm, with everyone clamouring to create their own mocks! How wonderful is that? You ALL combined to send over 1,000 messages in the mock section of our Discord (absolutely bonkers!) A colossal THANK YOU! Now, here’s the twist: I've meticulously sifted through every single one of your messages this month! That means I’ve seen it all, top to bottom, in my quest to cherry-pick my favourites from last month.
One big note however, from now on, it would be awesome if (if you are planning a big project) you use the mock forums, and create a new thread for each mock you create, giving it a major podium for us ALL to easily look through! Think of it as giving your masterpiece a grand podium, allowing us all to peruse with ease! Consider it a mock museum, where your pride takes centre stage in a lovely frame, rather than being lost in the hodgepodge of a crowded text channel. This way, we can all revel in your incredible work and shower you with the praise you deserve! :D
3. TV2 - ACTV
What if British broadcasting history had taken a different path? ACTV’s TV2 mock dives deep into this question, offering an alternate timeline where the UK’s third (later sixth in future) national television channel emerged as a genuine rival to both the BBC and ITV and changed the media landscape forever.
According to ACTV’s world-building, the 1962 Pilkington Report have the basis for an entirely NEW broadcaster. Channel 2, as it was originally called, launched in November 1964 on the new UHF system, positioning itself as a more experimental and diverse alternative to the established players. Visually, ACTV’s branding is a marvel! A perfect synthesis of mid-century optimism and modern dynamism. The primary logo/generic ident feels like a playful 00's twist on traditional broadcast, with slick 21st-century sophistication. The colours and texture of every tiny bit of the ident? This makes me want to simply EXPLODE with excitement when I look at it. It's so cool!?
I would love to see this mock get expanded with a Part 2 soon! ACTV’s mock paints TV2 as a network that could’ve reshaped how the UK consumes media: less populist than ITV, but more daring than the BBC. It’s a thought experiment so convincing, you almost believe it happened.
"The idea of TV2 came around when I had the idea of if there was another major channel in the fray of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and later Channel 5. I wanted to explore the ideas of how a channel could change its brand, evolve and become more dynamic as heads into the future. I am very happy to see it reach so high!"2. QLMB – Captain Elfman
Now, you’d think a mock of this very website would just be a cheap gimmick. But no, don't be shocked, Captain Elfman took the challenge and turned it into an absolute branding flex.
The concept? What if QLMB, already the hottest place for all sorts of things, was a full-blown multimedia empire? (It already is but... go with the flow with this one) Forget humble. This mockup imagines QLMB as the cocky, self-assured brand that knows it’s better than your favorite streaming service and isn’t afraid to say it out loud. And when I say self-aware, I mean painfully meta. Captain Elfman crafted a whole series of fake billboards that drag the competition through the mud.
One cheeky design simply reads: “ITVX? Nice knowing you.” The mock even throws shade at Channel 4’s weak show list by "smelling it later", while SUPERLY hyping QLMB’s imaginary slate of "groundbreaking" original programming. (Spoiler: It's not imaginary) It’s brash, it’s loud, it’s basically a middle finger to mediocrity, as THAT is what QLMB stands for.
If there’s one takeaway here, it’s that Captain Elfman needs to expand this mock. The potential for QLMB to adopt these designs for real is too good to pass up. Consider this an open invitation to make this branding canon! (SERIOUSLY)
"it was meant to be first but we know it was rigged by shaqueefus" ... brilliant quote.
1. TBS AU – Cypher
Sometimes, a mock doesn't need to be all visual. The story holds up on it's own, and becomes it's own different breed of mock. A type of mock where it's all imagination, but no play. This describes Cypher's brilliant AU that she came up with. If you’ve ever wondered what it would’ve been like if the chaotic, offbeat world of TBS made its way across the Atlantic, Cypher’s TBS AU mock has you covered.
This isn’t just a casual rebrand; it’s a full-blown alternate universe, where Turner Broadcasting seized the opportunity to carve out a new entertainment channel in the UK back in 2004. In Cypher’s reality, instead of disappearing entirely, CNX (Cartoon Network’s edgy older sibling) lasted until mid-2004, only to be replaced by TBS UK. This fictional network would sit comfortably alongside the likes of Paramount Comedy, E4, and all the other bits and pieces that aim the same market. You know the channels...
The mock branding itself screams early-2000s energy, a perfect marriage of TBS’s playful irreverence with a sharper UK ideal. Cypher imagines Adult Swim content finding a new home here, first as unbranded late-night blocks and eventually as a full-fledged programming strand in 2006. Think Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Robot Chicken, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast airing alongside normal programming... THAT would’ve been a fever dream of television that would’ve blown viewers’ minds. (and tbs uk's ratings through the roof but we dont talk about that one do we turner broadcasting HMMMMMMMMM??? WHY DID YOU NOT DO THIS!?)
It’s bold. It’s detailed. It’s my #1 mock of the month, and honestly, WE NEED A DAMN TIME MACHINE.
"OMGGGGGGGGGGG, thank you all for liking my mockup! I've always had a fascination for UK localisations of US cable channels and cable n satellite in general, the Turner channels have always been some of my favourites and some of my favourite channels to make mocks of so it was just time before I got to making a TBS UK mock, I'm happy my mock was good enough to reach #1 so thank you so much!! <33"Yet another big one!
We had more mocks than ever to judge this month! It’s truly inspiring to witness the explosion of creativity, making QLMB the bustling hub for all things mock-related, as we share our bits and bobs. This month brought about a sixth major channel, a snazzy rebrand for QLMB, and even a fictional UK port of a US channel! I can hardly contain my excitement to see what marvels lie ahead for next month. Until then, Cya next month for even more mocks! Good luck all!