Launch Night - Take 2!
Birth of a Station...BBC2 launches in April 1964 promising a mix of programmes which won't necessarily appeal to the majority of viewers. Well that's what was supposed to happen.
BBC2 Main Symbol1964 The first BBC2 ident - and the only thing broadcast on that abortive launch night.
BBC2 Alternative Ident1964 Sometimes this "flip-card" was used in place of the animated ident in the early days. The device was operated mechanically.
BBC2 - First colour ident1967 Colour comes to BBC2 in the late 1960s, along with a change of identity. So British TV got its first ever colour ident - where else have we seen those lightspots, I wonder(!) This clip was recovered from "Room 101", and has been speeded up.
BBC21973
Between 1967 and 1973, the animated BBC2 cube was swapped for a mechanical version that was operated live when needed on air. The first version did not revolve continuously; instead doing a couple of turns before stopping with the 2 in full profile.
Later in the year (can anyone verify that?), the "COLOUR" identification was changed from cyan to white. Presumably this reflected the growth in the number of colour sets.
BBC2 Closedown1973 An extended closedown from the early 1970s - possibly the only one in existence. Instead of a fade to black we have a lovely musical montage to play us out.
BBC2 Christmas1974 The earliest footage of a BBC Christmas ident we've unearthed so far! The Christmas symbol for 1974 was also the final time the 2-cube was seen, suitably adorned with tinsel. And this ident told you what day it was too - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.