BBC1 & BBC2 test idents - 1990

25 years ago today, on 16 February 1991, BBC1 unveiled its new ident, known as the “virtual globe” which remained until October 1997. On the same day, BBC2 began an era of “2” idents which continues to this very day.

But it could have been very different. A year or so previously, we think in late 1989 or early 1990, another graphics team was asked to test run an entirely different set of BBC1 & BBC2 idents, and here’s the test they provided. To our knowledge, the idents were never broadcast, indeed the programmes being mentioned in the continuity scripts appear to be largely ficticious.

Видео BBC1 & BBC2 test idents - 1990 канала The TV Museum