Ion

Pax Net

1998 (pre-launch)

Prior to its launch, the network was originally intended to be Pax Net. When it was launched, the name changed to just simply Pax.

Pax

1998–2005

Ion can be traced to the original channel nine years prior to the renaming, Pax, in 1998 by Lowell 'Bud' Paxson, co-founder of the HSN and chairman of Paxson Communications. In 2004, the colors of the logo turned white.

Independent Television

2005–2007

On June 28, 2005, Paxson announced it would rebrand Pax as Independent Television, in order to reflect a new strategy of "providing an independent broadcast platform for producers and syndicators who desire to reach a national audience." After the transition was complete, Pax TV would continue to air programming under its Pax brand on one of its digital channels over the air and in select cable homes. Some media observers jocularly postulated that I was code for "infomercial", due to the amount of paid programing on the schedule.

Ion Television

2007–2008

On January 29, 2007, the network changed its name again, to the current Ion Television. The programming was, for the most part, unchanged at that time.