Draft:BBC Two (Christmas Idents)
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1967-1971
Visuals: On a black background is the "2-cube" from before in white/red. Underneath the two is the text "B B C 2", followed by the text "COLOUR" also in white/red. Right next to it would either be a snowflake or a Christmas tree.
Technique: Unknown, quite possibly live-action.
Audio: Unknown, likely just an announcer.
Availability: No video footage currently exists for these idents. It is unknown if these were idents or stings.
1972
Visuals: The "2-cube" rotates above the screen as standard. Below that, Separated by a line, is the text "CHRISTMAS in colour"; with the sides covered in tinsel. It is unknown how it was coloured, as currently, only a black-and-white image has surfaced of this ident.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
Availability: No video footage currently exists for this ident.
1973-1974
Visuals: There is a thinner version of the 2-cube, without the large dot. Several sequin stars rise out of the "2", while below that is a caption that states the day ("Christmas Eve", "Christmas Day" or "Boxing Day") underneath. It is unknown what the 1973 variant is coloured like, but the 1974 version has the "2" coloured in orange.
Trivia: The 1974 ident would be the last time that the 2-cube would be used on the channel.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
Availability: No video footage currently exists for the 1973 version, but the 1974 version has surfaced.
1975
Visuals: There is a big yellow "2" made of two stripes (which appear to resemble tinsel) on a red background. The result makes it look very similar to the 1979 double-striped BBC 2 logo.
Technique: unknown, likely a live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
Availability: No video footage currently exists for this ident. For a long while, this ident was entirely lost until a screenshot of it resurfaced in 2016.
1976
Visuals: On a black background, the standard striped "2" logo from the time is seen in the middle of the screen. It is made out of shiny and multicoloured sequins, which constantly move.
Technique: Live-action.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1977
Visuals: On a black background, a cube formed out of four red "2"s composed by stripes appears rotating (as with the prior 2 cube idents). A shining emerald is inside the 2 cube. Below the cube is a "CHRISTMAS" caption written in a red font.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1978
Visuals: On a black background are two groups of three medieval trumpeters – each placed on separate rotating turntables. One turntable followed a clockwise motion, the other anti-clockwise. Their trumpets are adorned with the striped "2" logo in shiny gold on the colourful flags of the trumpets.
Technique: A live-action model.
Trivia: This was the first time the then-new striped BBC2 logo appeared on an ident.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
Availability: The ident was classified as entirely lost until it was discovered and resurfaced forty years later in December 2018.
1979
Visuals: On a black background is a revolving and shining Perspex snowflake that rotates endlessly. Below that is a white version of the double-striped BBC2 logo, made out of paper.
Variant: A clock variant also exists, featuring the mechanical clock in white, with a green 2.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1980
Visuals: Same as the previous ident, but the snowflake is made to be much more colourful. A different caption appears below the snowflake, consisting of an outlined CHRISTMAS with a large BBC2 below it.
Trivia: The "2" used in the caption has a similarity to the 2 used in the 1990 package for BBC2, which would become a mainstay for the channel.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1981
Visuals: On a black background are three red translucent candles spinning around with yellow frames below. Below that is the caption "Christmas 2" in a red neon font.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1982
Visuals: On a black background are three green Perspex Christmas trees rotating endlessly. Below that is a hand-drawn, angular "BBC2" caption in red with two drawn trees in green next to it.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1983
Visuals: Same as the previous ident, although the trees are now represented as 3D metallic models with a green tint. The caption below reads "Christmas 2", as with 1981, in a swirly font.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1984
Visuals: On a black background is a large pink bauble with an inflated version of the "2" printed onto it. The Bauble is suspended by a fuzzy green stick, while a stylized ribbon spelling "Christmas" rotates around it.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1985
Visuals: On a black background is a rotating blue-tinted snowy landscape scene around a magenta neon "2" which stays stationary.
Technique: A live-action model.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1986
Visuals: On a white background, we see the then-new "TWO" logo. Waves of snow from left to right constantly cover and uncover the logo.
Technique: Live-action and cel-animation.
Audio: None, although an announcer may be heard.
1987
Visuals: A transparent ball hangs in front of the camera as two people throw snowballs at each other with backgrounds of trees. The ball then pans up to reveal an all-white "TWO" logo, with a red dash above and a large green triangle stretching the entire length of the TWO above that.
Technique: Cel-animation.
Audio: Some bell sounds. This was the first BBC Two Christmas Ident to use its own music track and sounds.
1988
Visuals: The camera scrolls upwards, showcasing a white-powdered person with green hair in the style of a Christmas tree. It then cuts to a picture of a green and red "TWO" with the sections separated and frozen in ice.
Technique: Live-action.
Audio: A jazzy tune.
1989 (Wheel Animation)
Visuals: Three figures seemingly made of wrapping paper move the sections of the "TWO" into position, which themselves seem to be made out of wrapping paper in the logo colours. The end board is accompanied by rotating sheep in the background.
Technique: Stop-frame animation. Produced by Jean-Christian Knaff.
Audio: A synthesised track sounding like it was created using handmade instruments. The end of the ident consists of a synthesised nursery tune.
1990 (Christmas Boxes)
Visuals: On a dark blue background, we see the shapes of an upside-down triangle, square and circle. They suddenly burst open to reveal the letters "TWO" made out of items such as crackers, wheels and other assorted materials.
Variant: These idents were designed to follow seamlessly from a similarly styled promotional trail.
Technique: Cel-animation.
Audio: A soundtrack of two notes, the final note being dragged out for the length of the announcement.
1991 (Méliès)
Visuals: Up in the sky, a white star with a face (adorned with the then-new BBC Two logo on it) is using its hands to throw down snow. It then suddenly explodes as a large semi-wrapped "2" takes its place, while an airship rushes by.
Trivia: The ident package is based on Georges Méliès' Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon).
Variant: A shorter version of the ident that lacks the star scene also exists. Only the sound effects play in this version.
Technique: Live-Action footage that utalises models and pyrotechnics. Produced by Cell Animation.
Audio: The end portion of the same two notes continues over the announcement.
1992 (Christmas Tree)
Visuals: Over a crimson/black cloth background, a green Christmas Tree rises from below. Following this, the "2", represented as red fairy lights, blinks on and off endlessly.
Technique: Live-action.
Audio: A whoosh sound as the tree rises, then followed up with one of four clanging bell tracks.
1993 (Tin Toy)
Visuals: several Hobbit-like creatures bring up a large discarded tin decoration in the shape of the '2' up to the top of a Christmas Tree. Once it reaches upwards to the tree, the BBC logo appears below, a red-haired hobbit creature jumps down, and blue flames appear on the back of the '2'.
Variant:
- An alternate variant exists where the '2' does not flame up at the end. The BBC logo (or any stereo or 888 symbols) appears for the entire length of the ident this time.
- Shorter variants exist which start right as the ident finishes.
Technique: Stop-motion animation. The entire ident was recorded within a simple set done in a single take, utalising complex shots, articulated puppets, and special effects, all lit up using a golden reflective cyclorama. It was produced by Joan Ashford and Martin Pullen of 3 Peach Animation.
Audio: A victorian-like tune.
Legacy: A virtually well-produced and impressive piece of art (deemed a "Mini Epic" by enthusiasts) that certainly deserved the Design & Art Direction Wood Pencil and BAFTA Television Craft Awards it got.
1994 (Ice Queen)
Visuals: Within a large snowy tundra landscape, a large yellow "2" is seen in a decorated dome. The dome lights light-up and so does the "2".
Trivia: The ident package is based on a section of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Selfish Giant’. The stings featured Jack Frost, a Snow Queen and the Wind, who represented their own elements as they created the "2".
Technique: Live-action animation done in real time. The set is hand-painted, while the dome and the "2" are models.
Audio:
1995 (Wallace and Gromit)
Visuals: In a dining room setting, Wallace and Gromit accompany a "2" covered in fairy lights while sitting down to Christmas dinner.
Trivia: The ident package was created to promote the then-newest Wallace and Gromit short film "A Close Shave".
Technique: Stop-motion animation by Aardman Animations. This was their first BBC Christmas ident.
Audio: Same as the "Neon" ident, with the lights syncing to the music. Buzzing noises can also be heard when the fairy lights flash.
1996 (Santa)
Visuals: In a night sky, a mystical Santa-like character (more or less looking like a Wizard) walks over a cloud near a full moon. He spins and uses magic to turn himself into a "2" made out of stars.
Technique: CGI and live-action. Produced by The Moving Picture Company.
Audio:
1997 (Snowglobe)
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Vic, Bob and Ulrika variant
Visuals: On a blurry blue room with a table, a snow "2" appears on a snow globe, which also contains many trees, mountains, and a snowman.
Variant: An alternate variant exists where reflections of Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer (wearing a red paper crown) and Ulrika Johnson (dressed up as a fairy) from Shooting Stars appear on the snowglobe's glass. Vic and Bob point at the viewer, while Ulrika moves around slowly at the bottom. There was meant to be a wide range of variants featuring stars from other BBC Two shows, but this was the only one that was made. However, stings featuring other personalities were however, produced.
Technique: Appears to be live-action.
Audio: A mysterious single note "ahhhhh" tune.
1998 (Wild Fairies)
Visuals: The ident and sting package that year focused on a group of mischevious fairies. In the ident is one of the fairies moving away to reveal the 2 atop a Christmas tree with surreal white and green colours.
Trivia: This was the first BBC Two ident to be produced in widescreen.
Technique: A cross between computer effects and stop-frame animation, produced by Banana Park.
Audio:
1999 (Electric Fairy)
Visuals: Within a neon cerulean setting is the top of a Christmas Tree with a fairy on it. A spark appears, revealed to be a neon version of the 2, complete with wings. It shocks the fairy, knocking her off the tree before it takes her place. The 2, complete with wings, knocks the fairy off the tree before taking her place as it lights up a Christmassy view from the cities.
Trivia:
- This was the first BBC Two ident to use the "www.bbc.co.uk" URL above the logo.
- This ident won the Royal Television Society Craft & Design Award for the Best Channel Ident that year.
Technique: A cross between live-action (the sets), CGI (the city) and stop-frame animation (the "2"). Produced by Alchemy 3DC and Banana Park.
Audio: We hear some electric sounds, the fairy screaming "Ahhh!" and then an electric-sounding tune at the end.
2000 (Ski 2)
Visuals: In a snowy landscape set in a piercingly blue sky is several small white 2's skating on top of, and falling off a large ice-covered 2. We continue to see more 2s skiing off the giant snowy 2.
Trivia:
- The large "2" was over two metres tall, and was covered up in snow for the ident.
- The ident was used again as an ident for the 2006 Winter Olympics but with the purple BBC Two box logo instead.
Technique: Stop-frame animation. Produced by Alchemy 3DC and Banana Park, as with the previous ident.
Audio:
2001-2004 (The Fairy)
Visuals: There is the '2' sprout its robotic arms, and a glowing fairy bursts into view, with sparks flying. The fairy flies out of the '2's hands and draws a tall Christmas tree - at warp speed - out of fairy dust. She then flies around a bit before settling down onto the top of the tree, and then flies off again.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A more magical-sounding version of the BBC Two tune of the time.
2002-2004 (Snow 2)
Visuals: The 2 builds a snow-2. The 2 runs off to get something, and comes back with two sticks. The 2 puts the sticks on the snow-2, so the snow-2 looks like a self-portrait.
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
Availability: As noted here, this ident was created for Christmas 2002, but was also used during the winter seasons beginning in 2003 although it was rarely used.
2003-2004 (Ice Cube)
Visuals: A large ice cube crashes into the screen and spins out, revealing the robotic '2' frozen inside, trying to get itself out.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: Same as "Invisible Walls", with additional sound effects.
Availability: As noted here, this ident was created for Christmas 2003, but was also used during the summer seasons beginning in 2004 as well, due to its lack of any Christmas connection.
2005-2006 (Magic)
Technique: On a black background, several yellow sparks are seen flying around, with the robot '2' formed in them as well.
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
2007-2010 (Magic Forest/Magic Sprite)
Visuals: The theme of this ident utilises paper origami and a blue sprite. Two idents were made:
- Magic Sprite: A blue sprite runs around white and light brown papers depicting trees, animals, and other festive creatures.
- Magic Forest: The world opens up.
Audio:
2011-2014, 2017 (Festive Village)
Visuals: These idents are set within a large festive village, shaped like the '2'. Four idents were produced.
Variants:
- The idents were updated in 2013 to correspond with BBC Two HD's launch.
- In 2013, BBC Two Northern Island introduced CGI remakes of the 1979 and 1984 idents for use within the "Afternoon Classics" strand.
- In 2014, the "Wild Fairies" ident was brought back for retro programming.
- When all four idents were brought back for 2017, they utilized the same 2016 BBC Two "snowflake" logo seen in the 2016 idents.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: For 2017, the tracks from the 2016 idents were used.
2015-2016
Visuals: For 2015 and 2016, the "Ski 2", "Snow Fairy", "Snow 2" and one of the "Festive Village" idents made a return, this time with the then-current BBC Two logo in white on the right, with a snowflake replacing the "O".
Variants:
- On the "Afternoon Classics" strand, the 1998 "Wild Fairies" and 1999 "Electric Fairy" idents were used.
- On BBC Two Northern Island, the "Christmas Tree", "Ice Queen" and "Santa" idents were brought back for 2016.
Technique: Depends on the ident.
Audio:
2018-Present
Visuals: Christmas takes on the curve idents. Four were produced:
- Magical: A snow-covered fir tree with branches forming the 2 curve shakes off some of the snow, possibly inspired by the 1992 Christmas ident.
- Glorious: Also known as Glamourous. A brightly-coloured aurora shines in a dark, starry sky, weaving into the 2 curve shape at points.
- Cosy: Also known as Comforting. A domestic cat flicks a bauble around on a carpeted floor - only its tail is seen, occasionally settling into the shape of the 2 curve, and purring sounds can be heard.
- Festive: Various tinsel garlands are flying around the screen into the shape of the 2 curve in middle of purple tinsel and back.
Technique: Depends on the ident.
Audio:
