BBC One 2016 Christmas Presentation

I was blown away by the thought and creativity that went into this...

I have to say I don't mind these idents. The ones with people in are a little bit 'ITV' - but I like that, this year, they're all about celebrating the simple pleasures of Christmas.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought this.

One of the guys is not white in the jumper one.

However I doubt anyone notices that sort of stuff.

They've been doing this far more recently than before - promos started at first, then special idents such as Strictly and Planet Earth II used the falling 'o' motif.

The problem however is that there isn't a consistent approach to how the 'One' logo is formed, and it feels like a desperate attempt to squeeze out what's left of the current pres package.

No, they're scheduled by Media Planning. They're not usually changed by the playout director unless they're inappropriate (e.g. the Helicopter ident into the news when the top story is a helicopter crash).

Media Planning and/or Scheduling deffo, Playout would be too pre-occupied to focus on idents (unless there's an urgency)

What's the role of Media Planning with regards to presentation and scheduling? Curious to be fair.

Having had a bit of time to consider I personally feel the idents are okay. They're just very different in style to what has previously been used on BBC One, and are something you'd expect to see on one of the commercial channels. Maybe if different music had been used and background talking was muted it would feel more like a BBC-style ident.

Well this is a turn up for the books, and I like it! Scotland just used the jumper ident and its didn't form up it was already at the red nose. I like it. Maybe that hows some of the other idents should have been like instead of the 09 edits. ( yes I recorded it)

Media Planning is more channel strategy, their job is to work with several departments, such as: Marketing, Scheduling, Channel Planning, Continuity/Creative, Programming etc.. and they work out a plan in how to promote or boost certain promotions/viewership on-air. They create something called a Media Plan (daily), which Scheduling, Continuity and Creative follow. So for example, they'll request a Cross Promotion ECP/Menu or Pointers & IPPs to promote a higher profile show within the network of channels, or if they want to try and keep viewers for a new show, they can request a 'closed break' (accelerated flow) so that when the programme ends, it starts more or less bang on into the next show.


Promos are given different priorities as well, so if you're wondering why there's a high repetition to a certain promo, that's their doing. But back to the original point, idents are usually chosen by Scheduling, but if it's a big campaign Media Planning may be involved.

They look after placement of promotions for all BBC programmes and services, and responsible for all items in break - including end credit promotions and in junction graphics.


At the BBC junction scheduling is a function of Media Planning - so all items in break are placed by the department. The mix and duration of promos, choice and duration of idents, order of promotions are all decided by Media Planning, with Playout Directors and Editors only making on-the-fly changes for timing or editorial reasons.

BBC Media Planning are responsible for scheduling the biggest campaigns - like Christmas, all the way down to nightly bumpers for Newsnight.