BBC One Christmas Ident

Sorry for the third post in a row on this thread, but I'll continue...

Weren't the puddings the result of a Blue Peter competition? They stuck in my head as well (along with the year the Del Boy van hanging on the Christmas tree with Beeb balloon out the window). Maybe they should save the creative agency budget next year and ask the kids again....

Oh, another memorable year was Santa forming in the sky ringing a bell with the balloon sailing past. Crikey, I'm on the brink of saying 'bring back the balloon'. Must've had too much glühwein.

All three Balloon idents were great, easily my favourites.

I'm certain they were.




You mentioned 2001 and 1999; they were very memorable.

I'm of a similar view as Jonny... While the dancers era years certainly got me in the mood for Christmas, they didn't have the magic of 1999 - 2001 especially... I can't make my mind up whether I like the 1999 or 2000 ident the most, but it's between those two - they're both right up there.

1999's 'Northern Lights' concept is an all-round great; nice sting versions - I liked the snowman - and I think the only year that actually used a Christmas version of the familiar BBC 1 sig tune. 2000 has the dramatic, magical 'winter skyline on a Christmas Eve' feel, with a stunning orchestral underscore.

Despite those picks, I'd say all the Christmas pres during the Balloon era years was well realised and scored for.

And that's the difference. Recent idents - both in design and music - have no doubt been interesting; 2009 & 10 both had things really going for them, I thought. But it's honestly been more than a decade since I saw and heard a BBC 1 Christmas ident that actually made me think 'Wow'.

Have they lost the essence of what was special? Or am I just getting too old for today's approach?

Not sure if it has been mentioned already here but the 1940's style music used in the BBC-1 Showtime Christmas Idents is various clips taken from the Benny Goodmans track "Sing, Sing, Sing".
As found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhyhP_5VfKM

BBC One started showing its Christmas ident way too early. Saturday 22 December would have been plenty early enough to launch it.

I don't think much of it to be honest. So far I've seen two versions: Christmas tree and snowflake. Are there any others?

What will the other BBC channels be using for Christmas pres? Will BBC Two have something new, or recycle its idents from last year? Will BBC Three have Christmas idents (it's about time it did; it hasn't for a few years)? Will BBC Four still be using the snow scene, or get something new? What about CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News and BBC Parliament?

Have you tried watching the TV?

It has - however rather than in here, I posted over in the YouTube thread yesterday.

Just spotted a Tweet about the BBC One Christmas idents - since when have snowflakes had eight points...

A fair point - I'd have let them off, if the symbol wasn't quite so unremarkable

I think we may get a new year ident. A New Year's Day Eastenders advert I saw earlier had sparkles acting like fireworks rather than the usual snowflake.

According to folk on Digital Spy new versions have debuted today featuring characters from Up and also PATF - though I've no idea what PATF is.

Princess and the Frog.