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New identity for main BBC channel

The BBC has announced that it is to scrape its famous globe/balloon from BBC ONE shortly in favour of a new identity. Channel controller Lorraine Hegnessy told MediaGuardian.co.uk today that she was commissioning a new image for the channel. This follows the planned repositioning of BBC ONE as a general entertainment channel, alongside a more high-browe BBC TWO, youth channel BBC THREE, and arts and culture service BBC FOUR.

BBC ONE originally launched in 1946 as BBCtv. Although its original logo was a bat (scary!), it was scrapped in the late 1950s in favour of a map of the UK & Ireland. On the change to BBC 1 in 1963 (after BBC2 launched), the map became a full, rotating globe. The globe went through many incarnations until the change to BBC ONE in October 1997. Although the idea of a rotating globe was retained, it now became a rotating balloon with a map of the world on its canvas. The balloon/globe - designed by Martin Lambie-Nairn - has visited over thirty locations across the UK & Ireland (and elsewhere) in its short three year tour of duty. Its idea of multiple "scenery" locations has been much copied, including RTE ONE and ITV's current looks. Although critisised for costing £5m at first, it has become a regular fixture on viewers screens, allegedly "calming" in comparision to other idents, and will no doubt be sorely missed.

Web Links

• BBC

• Media Guardian

• The TV Room (See where the balloon/globe has been lately)

• 625 (The history of the balloon/globe is available here)