At 10am on Sunday 18 February, a new set of seven idents replaced the yellow robots. After five years with a personality, the 2 is now a "window on the world" and through its new applications manifests itself as a sunroof on a car, a decorative template for cappucino, and even the door of a tent.
Several of the new idents, like Mirror and Sun Roof, come across as an updated take on the classic 1991 look. Others, like Chase, prove that not even BBC2 is immune from the current "must have" of people idents. As before, some would have two or even three variations. Surprisingly, BBC TWO decided to keep the "box" logo but its colour switched from purple to viridion (another nod to the past).
Despite assurances in late 2006 by BBC2's head of Marketing, James Pestell, that the familiar 2 would stay, it has in fact been modified slightly. To some the difference is negligable, others see that as the ultimate sacrilidge. And another development which has divided opinion is the arrival of the "Tagging" 2s which have been likened to camcorder footage. The new look was designed by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO - the first time an advertising agency has won such a commission. Music is by Vince Pope.
Cappucino2007
Coffee for 2! The drinks are on us with the first ident of the new batch to be shown. Sadly this isn't that first sighting, played out almost in full and with BBC2 favourite Becky Wright announcing, but in two seperate variations the 2 is ruined by sugar lumps and and a spoon respectively.
Seascape2007 This sea defence has a fatal flaw - a huge 2-shaped hole, allowing the waves to crash through! This almost full showing is from closedown and has announcer Phil Vowels in full cheeky chappie mode. First TX 11:30am on 18 February.
Zoetrope2007 The very latest animation techniques illustrate one of the earliest ways of making pictures move - the zoetrope. First shown at 12noon Sunday 18 February.
Mirror2007 Checking "two" see what's coming in the busy city centre traffic! This colourful sequence first aired 3pm on Sunday 18 February.
Tent2007
BBC2 camps it up with its own customised tent. It is seen in three different locations - in the Arctic wilds, on the beach, and in this case at a campsite at a music festival. The beach variation has only recently been brought into service. First seen 10pm Sunday 18 February.
Chase B2007 Seeking somewhere "2" hide - even BBC2 has to embrace the current obsession for people in idents and its contribution is Chase, in which a man hides from his pursuers in a 2-shaped bolthole. There are daytime and night versions. First seen at 11:20pm on Sunday 18 February.
Sunroof2007 A nice, breezy ident which could easily be a leftover from the 1991 set of 2s. The soundtrack reminds you of that song, "Sunshine through my window"...(!) First seen at 11:50pm on Sunday 18 February.
Heroesfrom 25.06.2007
BBC2 was the place to see the latest American blockbuster, Heroes, when it came to terrestrial television in the summer of 2007. Rumours abounded that a special ident would be made to celebrate the fact but, in setting a new trend for special idents on BBC2, this one was devoid of the aqua BBC TWO badge. Something which was obviously meant to be, for it was never corrected.
BBC2 Christmas2007
Christmas takes on a more mischievous feel this year with two sequences produced by Weare Vincent. Directors John Hill and Rheaa Aranha came up with an origami theme designed to steer away from the usual twee Christmas associations and to counter the Penguins over on BBC1, they created a mischievious "Magic Sprite" who appears in the two symbols. They first appeared on Saturday 15 December.