BBC2
~ BBC 2 ~
BBC2 was launched in 1964, oficially meaning it was the third, and not the second UK channel. Despite this, it has become known and loved as the UK's second channel. Over the years, the channel has been the springboard for many popular shows, which subsequently moved to the 'Big Sister' BBC1.
BBC2 1982-1991
BBC2 1982
This was hailed by the BBC, as it was one of the first computer generated idents in the UK. This version is a static one, but there was an animated version, formed from left to right. Thanks to James Hadfield for this.
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BBC2 Closedown 1984
And a shutdown from the era of the above ident, showing the clock. It has been argued that the clock was still mechanical, but I dont know for certain. Thanks again to James Hadfield.
BBC2 1985 - TWO
As the COW globe arrived on BBC1, this new ident appeared on 2. For the first time in its history, the ident didn't have a numerical '2'. Instead it was made up from the actual word 'TWO'. The ident usually faded up from a white background, however this version shows the reversed version that was sometimes used. Again, Thanks to James for the clip.
BBC2 Schools Slide - 1986
BBC2 Schools Slide - 1986
BBC2 Radio 4 VHF - 1986
BBC2 1987 - TWO
BBC2 Next Slide - 1987
BBC2 Next Slide - 1988
...and here is another next board from the 'TWO' era.
BBC2 1991-1997
BBC2 1991 - Optics
In 1991 a new set of idents designed by Martin Lambie-Nairn were introduced on BBC2, showing the return of the numerical '2'. Instantly becoming well loved, many of the original batch of idents lasted right through until November 2001, surviving the corporate change in 1997 with little more than a change to the BBC identifier underneath, and some adjustments to accomodate widescreen. This variant, introduced a little later than the first batch, features a two made up of fibre optics (clip dates from 1994).
BBC2 1991 - Copper Cutout
Known to the world as Copper Cutout, though I've never really understood why. From the original batch, basically its just the '2' with sparks coming off it. The clip itself dates from around 1994.
BBC2 1991 - Silk
The '2' underneath what looks like a sheet of silk, from 1994.
BBC2 - Screen 2 - 1993
A special 'Screen 2' ident. Screen 2 was a strand for some films on BBC2, in a sort-of similar vein to the idea of Filmfour on Channel 4. Didn't prove anywhere near as successful though! Clip courtesy of Iam Burn.
BBC2 Closedown - 1995
A shutdown from BBC2 in 1995. It gives us a rare glimpse of the BBC2 clock, which did survive the corporate logo change in 1997, but was very rarely seen afterwards. Thanks to James Hadfield for the clip.
BBC2 1997-November 2001
BBC2 1997 - Dog
When the corporate name change came, although BBC1 had new idents, they must have decided they couldn't top their '91 idea, and stuck with the same BBC2 idents (either that, or they simply didn't have enough spare cash). The only change to existing idents was that the font underneath the 2 was changed. Originally the web address wasn't present, as that was added later. They did, however, introduce a few new idents. This one, not one of the newly introduced ones, is the Dog version, which survived the corporate change. Clip recorded in 2001.
BBC2 1997 - Blade
This example shows one of the idents which had came in the first batch in '91, and survived over the corporate logo change. Again note that the '97 version would NOT have had the web url on the bottom, only this particular example is from 2001.
BBC2 1997 - Blue Light
This is another of the original idents, which survived the change.
BBC2 1997 - Fly
In this variant of the 2 ident, a fly meets with an untimely death!
BBC2 1997 - Paint Tin
I believe this was brought in in 1997, although I could be wrong. This is the version with lots of cute little '2's hitting a paint tin, possibly in homage to the 'paint' ident from the original batch. Interestingly, it is this ident that BBC2's apology caption screen was based on. (see the mistakes section). This example is from 2001, with the web url, again.
BBC2 2001 - Waves
In about 2000 a few new idents were added to BBC2's selection. One of these was the waves version. This example is the dark version (possibly for night time?), although there is a lighter version as well. These were to be the last new idents created in the look (besides the Xmas 2000 version!)
BBC2 2001 - Woodpecker
Another from the last batch (at least I think it is, but please correct me if I'm wrong). This time showing the Two on Springs, sliding down poles. Perhaps designed to represent a woodpecker, or is that particular arrangement of notes just coincidental...
BBC2 2001 - Excalibur
Another ident from the final batch. I still prefer to call this 'sideways water', but who am I to argue with the common name. =;)
BBC2 2001 - Swans
This shows the swans ident, which was introduced earlier than 2000 actually. The reason it appears here is because it was to be the last ident shown at closedown, before the New look idents came in on the 19th of November 2001. It dates from Sunday the 18th(early morning!).
BBC2 2001 - Last Old Look Ident - Paint
Look your last.... the very final appearance of the old BBC2 idents, showing one of the original batch 'paint' at 12.40am on Monday 19th November. Well it should have been, but as BBC2 were running late it actually went out at 12.45, causing the video timer to cut the end off... grrr..
And then it was gone...
And then it was gone...
~ Acknowledgements ~
BBC Television - http://www.bbc.co.uk