Alan Yentob replaced Graeme McDonald as controller of BBC2 in 1987. He quickly realised BBC2's current identity was harming the channel and the review he ordered led to the birth of a branding legend. Research carried out in 1990 revealed many viewers found the "TWO" logo dull and old-fashioned. So Martin Lambie-Nairn was asked to come up with a new identity for the channel. The result was a large, sans-serif figure 2 which could be used in all sorts of branding applications. The "2" launched on 16 February 1991. BBC2's programmes remained the same, but the new logo changed people's perceptions of the channel. The 2 itself remains one of the best-loved channel symbols of all time. Originally there were 11 idents, with "Garden" being introduced later in 1991.

BBC1 had already showed off its new globe before Going Live, and Grandstand. But this was an era when Open University tied up BBC2 until mid-afternoon so it was an agonising wait to see the new look. The first part of BBC2's branding package to be seen was the new Open University symbol, at 6:50am, bye-bye to the familiar animation - and that fanfare! Finally, at 2:45pm a menu appeared, followed by the first showing of Paint. BBC2 - and TV branding - would never be the same again. Shame they forgot to switch on the BBC logo generator! BBC2 idents designed by Martin Lambie Nairn and Daniel Barber consisted of 9 animated idents using a bladed number '2', the idents used a veridian colour branding with the idea of the different sequences could develop with time. The designs of both BBC1 and 2 may seem simple almost conservative with it's bladed number 2 and classical numeral 1. Lambie Nairn says "almost anti-graphic design."

Further examples of the BBC2 idents and continuity in action... with additional idents being added to the set until 1997.

A few times someone forgot to add the BBC logo to the idents.