Take it the BBC1 Balloons will live longer than w

The introduction of a new BBC1 Balloon ident makes me think that Ms Heggessey is more keen on the balloons than we first thought.

The following is an extract taken from a report covering the story of the possible axing of the Balloon Idents, featured in MediaGuardian.co.uk 23/01/2001.

'To be honest, the balloon to me feels very slow; it goes across this majestic landscape but doesn't feel in touch with the viewers,'

Ms Heggessey, who was appointed head of BBC1 last September, says she wants to give the station a harder image.

She says she wants to transform the whole 'feel and tone' of BBC1 and get away from the image of the corporation as a nannying force that knows what's best for viewers.

'I hate the word 'Auntie'. Auntie suggests somebody who is at least a whole generation older than you, a little remote from you, not part of your immediate family.

'BBC1 is starting to suffer from that image now. The broad strategy is as much about tone and style as it is about content - to feel warmer, more modern.

'The BBC has always been truthful and impartial and has always had integrity. Now we need to emphasis the softer approach, talking on the same level as our viewers, feeling more relevant,' she said.

Ms Heggessey however insists BBC1 is 'not going to go all pink and fluffy'.

SO WHAT ARE WE TO MAKE OF THIS THEN?

The new ident i was talking about was the one for the new series caled Blue Planet, just in case you thought I was talking crap.

Waldo

The balloon will probably live its intended life-span of 6 years. So in Autumn 2003 we can expect new idents.

Although having said that, the introduction of the new digital channels might prompt new idents for BBC 1 and 2.

BBC One will probably re-launch itself as and when BBC 3 and 4 launch.

The same goes for BBC 2

At last the forum returns. Well now that BBC 3 has been rejected there can hardly be a BBC 4 can there? Personally i think its good that they were rejected because the names choice and knowledge have much more meaning although i doubt these names will last. I also think BBC 2 should have a different name so that BBC 1 stands out more as it would sound like a more important channel.

The BBC are determined to launch BBC THREE, and will submit revised plans with the upmost urgency. They won't launch BBC FOUR until they have approval for BBC THREE.

But change the name of BBC TWO after 37 years? That will NEVER happen!!

I doubt that BBC 2 would ever go but its just an idea i had that might strengthen BBC 1 name. If we had say BBC ONE, BBC SELECT, BBC CHOICE, BBC KNOWLEDGE, BBC PARLIAMENT AND BBC NEWS 24. BBC ONE just stands out more than the rest.

But that's exactly what they don't want to do. They tried it - having names away from the obvious 'Three' and 'Four' to try and be imaginative in the digital world - and it hasn't worked, so they're going to strengthen all the brands by reverting to numbers. I guess the idea is that more people after seeing '...that's coming up over on BBC 3' advertised, will wonder what else is coming up on that channel. Much more of a whole brand.

Cheers, Asa

Hi Asa:)
I agree with you all, if the BBC are going to launch new idents for BBC ONE then it would be with the launch of the new digital channels, whenever that will be. If they decide not to change the ident style, then I would hope they'd make more of those ''LifeStyle'' idents, seeing as theres only 4, my personal favourite is the man jumping out the baloon. Also whats happened to the kids on the skateboard ramp? It had used to be used before ''Neighbours'' alot of the time, but seems to have disappeared now!

One could look back to the history of BBC Radio when there were the 'Light Programme' (entertainment), the 'Home Service' (news and drama) and the 'Third Programme' (classical music and even cricket).

Now there are BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radi... you get the picture!

I would like the BBC to have a generic style with variation for each channel so BBC ONE - FOUR would look intergrated to anyone watching

I dont think they should keep the ballon unless they can make it really better. Below are my ideas of a vairiation, im not Lambie Nairn so they are far from brilliant

http://www.matmice.com/home/martin4/1.jpghttp://www.matmice.com/home/martin4/2.jpg
http://www.matmice.com/home/martin4/3.jpghttp://www.matmice.com/home/martin4/4.jpg

Whatever the BBC do I just the presentation should be based around the one thing, whatever that is. Tell me what you think.

Images from The TV Room

(Edited by Martin at 3:59 pm on Sep. 16, 2001)

So what about News 24?

Will they have to add channels 5-23 so it can keep its number?!