New look for BBC1

I wouldn't say it was a 'complete mess'; I'm sure I already said why I liked the visuals on this globe earlier on; but might I add that the inclusion of the '1' at the centre of the ident was a great move, as opposed to solely just a globe -- the '1' opened up options for trail designs and many adventurous stings; in this respect it was most similar to the BBC2 of the same time, and that's why I don't think it was that bad. It's a shame unique stings have disappeared from all BBC channels except one (BBC THREE), moreso that there were stings for the dancers and yet, plain or not, they've practically never been touched.



I beg to differ on this 90's '2's' soundtrack point.

A number of them did have hummable tunes, I'm thinking the 4-note jingle variation on such idents as Water, or the original Garden -- this was similar to the tune BBC2 has today, in fact; although it's now more 'playful'. Too, I've remembered the music well, and not just the imagery.

Others' strengths were simply down to the dramatic moody feeling they gave (Silk springs to mind) or to suit the ident action particularly well (like Blade; Paint; Firecracker). Most were tied together by the frequent use of one particularly distinctive instrument, which I've (somewhat annoyingly) never been able to identify. BBC2 back then had a richness of texture in its soundtracks coupled with great sound design relating to the action. The new BBC1 idents aren't really on that same level of sound design IMO.

That is actually a very interesting question. The balloons had about several signature pieces of music, that were instantly recognisable, but then the mid 90's 2's and the current 4 idents have music that fit the ident. So I think music that fits the ident is better than a jingle.

Probably the greatest idents package of all time and probably the standard setter for imagination were the old MTV idents. The music fitted the specific style of ident perfectly.

Memorable music yes but each ident had different music not a variation of the same tune. and as you say it was the sound as well that gave them their standout quality.The music that accompanied a 2 covered by greeny/blue silk was haunting and the echo played a great part in it.

As promising as BBC1's new idents are the mid 90's 2's and the current 4 idents are of a standard that other channels haven't come close to, apart from maybe the balloon.

I wonder which tune was the original and which were the variations? Not just for this ident set but for the dancers and BBC Two...:S hmm

I agree...I think ident soundtracks are a 'funny' area. For example the music used in each of Channel 4's current idents suits the designs perfectly. But if you we're to close your eyes or you we're not paying attention to the screen, would you need the announcer to say "Now on 4..." to know your with Channel 4? I feel I would need this prompt. The same goes for itv1 and most channels. Is this a good or bad thing? Does a channel need to make a recognisable visual statement aswell as sound...incase the viewer isn't seeing the ident? As you rightly state, 90's BBC ident sountracks we're special and easily recognisable...without having an "over the top" jingle which the "red dancers" do..."do doo do doo do doo do do... dududu" But I have to say the "red dancers" we're successful because you did not need to be watching the screen to know 'where you we're'...before "Your watching BBC One...". Notice the past tense What do you think?

But surely the new BBC one tunes will be recognisbale once we get used to them...? They've only been out for a day! On the first day of the dancers, I wouldn't have been able to identify the sound straight away! The new BBC one idents do have recognisable sound, and how do they not suit their context just as well as C4's? Surely the bikes, the moon, the querky hippos, etc - the sounds all suit the context and have the same 'doo do-do doo' .....?!?! Seems like people are just determined to be critical of this in whatever way they can. I really don't think these complaints are at all justified. The globe and 2s are gone! Forget them!

On Digital Spy the moon ident has been getting a lot of criticism, the pictures made it look really good. Maybe we're too critical and have become jaded.

Technically speaking; neither are 'gone' at all...

BBC News is still symbolized by a globe.

The 2's are still here in their yellow domain, plus an older gem can be spotted (Venus Fly Trap/Predator)...and they will probably stay for at least a few months yet.

Just because a particularly popular era is gone, that's no reason to pretend it never existed; you never know, one day the globe might actually return! It certainly cannot be ruled out.

Look at Channel 4; yes, they've retained the same numeral for years, but their latest identity is the closest yet to the concept of their original set, while being arguably the best on telly here at the moment. Proof that you can take a strong idea that is decades old and make it work in the present day.

I am not sure their current look would have been half as successful if it wasn't for the circles and square theme which filled the gap. A break away from a style and a later return can be better then a gradual evolution of one idea.

After going from a groundbreaking, legendary ident they went to something that was uninspiring and poor. Had the current 4's come straight after the original 4 logo they still would have been praised. It's just a great set of idents which is a variation of the original's blocks coming together.

The dancers idea was naff, plain and simple. Yes, a lot of people disliked them simply because of what they were not, but on any channel they were a bad idea. That they appeared on BBC1 of all channels rubbed salt into the pro-globe lobby's wounds.

When I read on Teletext that BBC1's balloon was to be replaced by "dancing scenes" my heart went through the floor. Images of cheesy conga lines and street parties quickly filled my head. The end result didn't quite go that far, but the level of political correctness was unbelievable. Some did work such as Tapdogs, Acrobats and Tango, but mainly because these showcased artistry.

Lorraine Heggessey has proved herself to be adept at patronising viewers. First the Richard Bacon saga, then the BBC1 idents. Placing ethnic minorities and the disabled into goldfish bowls and hoping viewers would see themselves in the action? I don't think she thought beyond "making her mark".

Fans of the globe were always going to be aggrieved if ever it was dropped. But I don't think the outrage would have been anywhere near so great if the new idents had succeeded the balloon.

The hot-air balloon flying over the UK actually represented something. The balloon was a clever way of using the 'globe' motif, the BBC's role as a global broadcaster. The British locations used were usually scenic, and emphasised the B in B BC!

What did the dancers etc prove? That the UK is multi-cultural or BBC is hideously politically-correct?