1979
BBC2 Ident1979
Television history was made in the late 1970s when BBC2's new identity was unveiled. The twin-striped "2" was the first electronically generated symbol; it scrolled on and off the screen. Until around 1983, the animation was accompanied by an electronic fanfare which you can listen to on the right clip.
The BBC2 logo was designed by Oliver Elmes
BBC2 Ident (animate out)1979
Seen far less often than the anime in, logo disappearance was also used by Channel 4 when it launched three years later. However, unlike on Channel 4, the anime out was not seen at closedown as BBC2 faded to black from the clock.Further examples of the BBC2 symbol in action..
BBC2 Clock1979
Although BBC2's electronic symbol was amazing viewers with its animated scroll, the technology was not yet in place for a computer-generated station clock. So the new logo was slapped on the old model for now.
BBC2 Closedown1979
Apologies for not having the full closedown but I hope you enjoy the closedown montage of clouds through trees.
BBC2 Closedown?
From the early days of the =2= ident, a closedown from David Allan. Apologies for the poor sound quality.
BBC2 Clock - keyed over slide1979
The clock is keyed over a slide one closedown. At the time I was fascinated by BBC idents and despite being only seven I knew the technology existed to achieve what you see on the left. I so wanted them to create similar effects with the BBC1 globe! But while that never happened, this is the closest we got. John Glover in the chair.
BBC2 Christmas Ident1979
The Christmas ident remained mechanical too. This one adopts the style of the clock, albeit with a revolving snowflake instead of the time. Note the faded ident - not computer graphics but good old cardboard.
Clip 2 is an off-air recording from Christmas Night
BBC2 Christmas Closedown1979
BBC2 shuts up shop on Christmas night using a special version of the BBC2 clock which, from what I can see, bore no resemblance to that year's Christmas ident although some captions did adopt this style of presentation.1980
BBC2 Christmas Ident1980
It's Christmas once again on BBC2, and it looks like they've recycled last year's snowflake. But look again. This one is more colourful, and, the Futura lettering has been borrowed from BBC1.
BBC2 Clockfrom 06.09.1980
Eventually, progress caught up with BBC2's clock and a computer generated timepiece was introduced. Much clearer, much sharper, and a second hand without that judder.
1981
BBC2 Closedowns1981
May 13th 1981 - the day the Pope was shot. Time for some reflection at closedown, with Robin Whitting treating us to a slide montage and Pachelbel's Canon in D. Apologies for the missing end.
BBC2 Christmas Ident1981
This year three translucent candles bring a warm glow to the links between programmes on BBC2. And for contrast, there's some holly surrounding them.
1982
BBC2 In-vision Continuity1.2.1982
A rare item featuring Peter Bolgar in an in-vision continuity announcement on BBC2. This was actually a light hearted comedy link to promote the new series of Not The Nine O'Clock News, showing later that evening on BBC2. Bolgar then leads us straight into Porridge.
BBC2 Rock Week Ident1982
Part of a week of rocking programming, this programme was simulcast on 88 to 91 VHF, the frequencies used by Radio 2 but loaned to Radio 1 until the end of the 1980s on weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sunday evenings and bank holiday afternoons.
BBC2 Christmas Ident1982
The first showing of BBC2's Christmas Trees in 1982 turned out to be a formal unveiling! The usual ident is seen first, and then fades into the festive symbol. Watch out for a brief snatch of programme menu and the first announcement of the day. Michael Maine was BBC2's announcer for the latter part of Christmas Eve, signing off with a photo montage accompanied by an a capella version of "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear". A must for fans of Christmas magic.
BBC2 Christmas Day Start-Up25.12.1982
The BBC2 fanfare welcomes us to Christmas Day on BBC2, beginning as ever with a rundown of the afternoon ahead. Sadly, the startup isn't complete but it does include the completion of the descriptions for the afternoon ahead.
BBC2 Christmas Day Closedown25.12.1982
It was rare for BBC Radio to broadcast overseas cricket commentary in the 1980s but on this occasion, it did, albeit for only part of the day. However, there is sufficient coverage remaining for the bulk of the closedown chat to be devoted to mentioning the coverage before a seasonal musical montage ends the day.
BBC2 Christmas Start-Up27.12.1982
Weekday coverage of horse racing was usually introduced by the clock rather than the BBC2 logo as was the case here as the clock introduced the first programme of the day - Racing from Wincanton. No seasonal music however despite it being officially Boxing Day as this clip dates from the 27th of December and not the 26th.
BBC2 Christmas Start-Up1982
A groovy mix of Christmas music is the soundtrack to the start of BBC2's Christmas Sunday.
BBC2 Christmas Closedowns1982
Two more closedowns from the days immediately after Christmas, the clip is from the 27th and the right clip features the shut down from 28 December and gives us one final burst of Christmas music and a final look at the BBC2 1982 Christmas trees.1983
BBC2 Closedown16.1.1983
David Allan shuts up shop on 16 January 1983 by wishing the team of Breakfast Time all the very best for their first broadcast which at the moment of this closedown was just over six hours away. David hints that he plans to be up at 6.30 to watch the programme so not much shut-eye for him as he was on announcing duty the following night.
BBC2 Daytime Ident1983
In September 1983, BBC TV's schools output transferred to BBC2 to make way for the introduction of daytime programming on BBC1 despite the fact that Pages from Ceefax were shown all morning, apart from the morning broadcast of Play School, as all-day television was still three years away. The adult education programming which used to be shown on BBC2 on Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter and spring terms moved to lunchtimes and the entire service was branded as "Daytime on Two." BBC2 created a special daytime ident for Daytime on 2 with the black background becoming a sunny yellow/orange colour.
BBC2 Clock1983
The only weekday showing of the BBC2 clock apart from links into Ceefax/testcard was for the teatime/early evening news summary. BBC2 never showed the clock to introduce Newsnight.
BBC2 Closedown13.02.1983 BBC2 gets all loved up once again as they close down on the eve of Valentine's Day. After a run-down of tomorrow night's programmes (adorned with suitable graphics) Michael Maine plays us out with a Leo Sayer classic.
BBC2 Christmas Ident25.12.1983
Twelve months later, and variation on a theme. The Christmas trees are now cast in holographic metal for a great visual tease. The bases of the trees are different as well.
BBC2 Christmas - The Naked Trees1983
Some very rare grabs of the BBC2 Christmas Trees in their raw form, without lighting effects. Look different don't they? But no less impressive on their own. Each "tier" of the trees screwed onto each other, and the base was fixed to the glass turntable. Speculation mounted the Christmas trees were computer generated, but our photos provide conclusive proof otherwise!1984
BBC2 Christmas Idents1984
A stylised "Christmas" logo spins around a bauble with the familiar "2". But you're not meant to see the turntable!
BBC2 Christmas Closedown23.12.1984
BBC2 signs off for the night. No clock so viewers were treated to the ident for a whole minute! Your announcer is John Glover, making one of his final appearances on the BBC.
1985
BBC2 Clock Forward1985
Summer time starts here, so time for BBC2 to put its clock forward. Observe how this is achieved by fading one clock into another - the picture rolls slightly during the mix. Announcer David Wheal sympathises with viewers for losing an hour's sleep!
BBC2 Christmas Ident1985
The end of an era for Christmas in 1985. Not only was this the channel's last mechanical ident, it was also the final one to feature the twin-striped "2". David Wheal introduces a sporting classic in the first clip, then Peter Bolgar signs off for the night on Christmas Day.
Christmas Closedown1985
The full closedown from Christmas Day 1985 and Peter Bolgar uses the BBC2 1985 Christmas ident to close down BBC2 at the end of Christmas night instead of the BBC2 clock.1986
BBC2 Clock Forward1986
Two days before its decomissioning, the BBC2 clock has one last surprise for us. With British Summer Time starting, the clocks need to go forward an hour, so why not do it live on air?
