BBC TV HISTORY: 60 YEARS OF IDENTS

60 years ago the BBC unveiled its first "television symbol" - a moving logo to identify a TV channel - nowadays known as an "ident". The new medium of television, the BBC decided, needed a new way to identify itself to viewers.

[listerofsmeg]

One thing you notice is the gradual shift from posh to regional accents

[katysmith]

They really loved their spinning globe :P

[sirpsychosussy]

Can't help feeling it's Patrick Troughton at 0:24...

[clarissamcpigeon]

The on-screen clocks were all mechanical up until 1981. BBC Two had an electronic ident from 1979 and BBC One didn't get one of those until 1985.

These models were very primitive and the original Batwing one actually fell apart moments after it was first tested.

[YoureAbsolutelyRight]

1:49
The last visual image, of the woman unraveling from the red ribbon, is filmed in the Old Royal Horticultural Hall 1932
Elverton Street
London
SW1P 2QW

[VHSandStoryUploaderLives]

I always had a soft spot for the Virtual Globe from 1991 to 1997. That, for me, was the defining logo

[ItalyMationsBoi]

0:03 BBC 1981 Announced Khizar SAB 2015

[thedemocraticrepublicofbot]

I am a child and I am very confused and aroused by the logo at 0:01

[ryannjaro]

The idents made me love the BBC even though i am a Kenyan!

[ccityplanner]

The scenes at the end are what idents on the state broadcaster look like in most countries.

[WatchingScreen]

THIS IS THE BBC, THE EARTH IS MOVING!

[peabody]

So many practical effects for the early idents, using people moving parts and filming it, long before computer generation of graphics! (The idents before 1985 (?) are man-made props.)

[chrisdawson]

i like the one at 1:07 that's my favourite one

[SB-gwcc]

I can remember the 2002 idents though they ended in 2006. The earliest year I can remember is 2007.

[robrophside]

0:39 "We interrupt this programme to annoy you and make things generally irritating for you."

[deadaccount]

I remember these especially the 1974 - 1981 logo :-)

[sporkfindus]

The spinning globes and clocks were classy. The indents showing people is just annoying.

[KyronAlison]

My favourite 1997 - 2021 It was so iconic

[tomosburton]

Now on BBC one, the latest news headlines. Live from Wembley Stadium.

[MetroidMagmoor-]

1:31 probably the most well known ones to this day
1:43 this was also iconic.