BBC Television

Credits

Descriptions by
tvlogos2008 and Edc4

Captures by
tvlogos2008 and Edc4

Editions by
Michael Kenchington

Background

This alias is not used on regular idents. It is used for generic idents intended for when a BBC channel goes off-air or when rolling news was simulcast on all BBC channels during emergencies.

1st Ident (August 31, 1997)

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Visuals: On a smoky blue background (which is constantly animated) that wipes in from a black screen, the 1988 BBC logo is seen. A large blue sphere (possibly the planet Earth) is visible, albeit blurred, in the background.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None, except for an announcer saying "This is BBC Television from London. Normal programming has been suspended, and we now join Martyn Lewis in the news studio".

Audio Variants: An alternate variant has another announcer say "Normal programmes have been suspended for the moment. This means that this afternoon's edition of EastEnders has been postponed, and we hope to show it next Sunday. We'll bring you details of other changes to our programmes as soon as possible. This is BBC Television, now The One O'Clock News with Peter Sissons."

Availability:

• This was only shown on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC World and BBC Prime on the day of Princess Diana's death.
• It was probably created several years before (most likely either 1988 or 1991) for such emergencies.
• Reportedly, an updated version of the ident was created several weeks later using the 1997 logo which was introduced at the time; ultimately, a modified version was used as the third ident instead.

2nd Ident (2016-2021?)

Visuals: On a glowing purple background with green and pink undertones, there is animated translucent white ribbons moving about. Superimposed over this background is the BBC logo in white.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Ambient music, which is "Surge" by Carl Matthews.

Availability: Seen when a BBC channel goes off-air as a looping ident.

3rd Ident (2018, April 9-10, 2021)

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Visuals: On a dark blue background with black swirls, there is the 1997-2021 BBC logo fading in, initially in a dark shade before being lit into a gold colour.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None, except for an announcer.

Availability: It was briefly available to download on Sky Q boxes in 2018 under the name 'BBC Event Safe 1', and eventually made an appearance on BBC One on 9 April 2021 in order to lead into a programme about the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, who died on that day. It later appeared through the day and the following day to lead into more Prince Philip programmes, and was also featured on BBC Two, BBC Scotland, BBC Alba and BBC Parliament.

4th Ident (September 10-19, 2022)

Visuals: On a moving purple background similar to the previous logo, there is the current BBC logo in gold on the top of the screen. Below is the text "HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II", with "--- R E M E M B E R E D ---" below it. Underneath is the British royal arms in gold.

Trivia: Unlike the 1997 and 2021 BBC Television idents, this BBC Television ident shows an explanation to why the BBC is suspending its programmes. The reason shown is the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: Just an announcer.

Availability: First seen on 10 September 2022 during the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's death and King Charles III's ascend to the throne on BBC One. It was last used on 19 September, the day of the Queen's funeral.