Station identification (
ident,
network ID or
channel ID) is the practice of
radio or
television stations or
networks identifying themselves on-air, typically by means of a
call sign or brand name (sometimes known, particularly in the
United States, as a "sounder" or "stinger", more generally as a station or network ID). This may be to satisfy requirements of licensing authorities, a form of
branding or a combination of both. As such, it is closely related to
production logos used in television and cinema, alike.