Nationwide1960s A legend is born - the very first set of titles used by Nationwide from around the late 1960s. Short and sweet, but the local news magazine titles still feature.
Nationwidec1970
The more familiar lettering makes its first appearance at the start of the Seventies. But Nationwide remains black and white and the theme music is as before.
Nationwide1970s From alcoholic snails to skateboarding ducks, this programme had it all! This clip features the familiar theme tune, "The Good Word" by Johnny Scott.
Nationwide1979
South Today with Nationwide, and the opening titles include a list of the titles of all of the regional news magazines.
Nationwide1981 Into the 1980s and nationwide gets a fresh look. There's also a new theme tune as well.
BBC Evening News1.5.1981
Here are the opening titles from 1st May 1981, and on the soundtrack is production talkback from the Manchester's local studio (Studio N, Piccadilly) and in the background programme sound. Thanks to unhban for the recording.
BBC Evening News1981 The new look for the teatime bulletin was unveiled in Autumn 1981 as part of an across-the-board revamp of BBC News branding. This is the first new-look bulletin.
On 30 October there was a bomb in Oxford Street! In the days before Al'Qaeda, there's only one prime suspect. Richard Baker has the latest.
BBC Evening News1982
One year on and a very slight modification to the titles. Richard Baker presents; a BBC1 North clock introduces the bulletin.
Nationwide1982
David Dimbleby had a brief tenure as host of Nationwide. In this clip he introduces an edition where Michael Heseltine is "on the spot."
Nationwide1983
And finally...the last revamp for Nationwide. Within a year the programme would end its long run.
1983 - 1984
Sixty Minutes1983
BBC1 finally dispensed with Nationwide in favour of Sixty Minutes, an American-style magazine, from September 1983. Regional news programmes were broadcast within the new format; Desmond Wilcox presents the first show.
Right clip - A clean version of the Sixty Minutes theme tune.
Sixty Minutes1984
Around six months later, the theme music was replaced by a more authoritative, synthesised version. The titles remained the same; the desks are also jettisoned in favour of a sofa-driven look.1984 - 1993
BBC Six O'Clock News1984
In spite of the relaunch, Sixty Minutes failed to pick up so the BBC called it a day in August 1984. Taking its place was The Six O'Clock News, which has been a staple ever since. Sue Lawley became the lead news reader.
This famous edition from October 1984 revealed the full horror of the famine in Ethiopia, which led to the formation of Band Aid by Bob Geldof.
The Six O'Clock News1987 Phillip Hayton joins Sue for this edition. The latest merger talks between the SDP and the Liberals is the lead story
The Six O'clock News1989 / 1987
Left clip with Nicholas Witchell and Andrew Harvey.
Right clip features a close from a different edition as Sue Lawley signs off.
The Six O'Clock News1992 Eight years after these titles were introduced, Peter Sissons and Moira Stuart are the presenters.
Examples of programme content graphics...
Behind the scenes images...
1993 - 1999
BBC Six O'Clock News1993 This is the first programme of the new look (opening and close) from 13th April 1993.
Some examples of programme content graphics, including the clean graphics background clean.
1999 - 2004
6 O'Clock News1999 Here is the first programme from 10th May 1999 when the whole of BBC News was given a new look.
The cold hard news blue was replaced by creams, oranges and reds designed by Lambie-Nairn. This was also the first time the familiar beeps and drums theme composed by David Lowe was first introduced.
Regional news headlines would now also be incorporated into the headline sequences at the top of the programme and coming up sequence.
BBC News at Six O'Clock2001
And on 2nd October 2000, BBC News went widescreen so we can now see even more of the corporate titles. Instead of a regional insert this clip features "UK Today".
BBC News at 6 O'Clock2002 In late 2002 the somewhat boring beige set was modified with new ceiling detail and warmed up with new red panels.
2003 - 2004
2004 - 2006
BBC News at Six O'Clock - Election2005
Presented by George Alagiah and Sophie Raworth.
Immigration continues to dominate the campaign, with the Prime Minister accusing the Tories of whipping up fear. Meanwhile Sophie and the BBC Election bus continue their tour of the UK, tonight stopping in Edinburgh.
6 O'clock News (Close)2006 The new look featuring the "clam shell" logo was revealed in February 2004.
This virtual newsroom set seen behind George Alagiah in this clip was first introduced in 2005, replacing the previous virtual newsroom of desks and monitor stands which was first introduced in January 2003.
2006 - 2007
BBC News at Six O'Clock2006 On the 2nd May 2006, all BBC News titles were refreshed with this more glossier CGI look. A new spacious set was also introduced, featuring a vast video wall, allowing the studio to now be shared by BBC Breakfast.
This is the first edition of the new look.
2007 - 2008
BBC News at 62007 On the 22nd January, the nick-named 'Clam Shell' look was updated again, this time with jets of light beams whooshing around it!
2008 - Present
BBC News at Six2008 Presented by Sian Williams.
The revamped BBC News at Six titles as part of a wider BBC News revamp which saw BBC News 24 rebranded, somewhat unimaginitively, as the BBC News Channel. Apart from the new graphics, the Six retains its single presenter format.
Examples of content graphics..
