BBC1 1974 – 1981 Branding

In the mid-1970s, as colour television sets became increasingly widespread, BBC1 transitioned its colour scheme to a more vibrant yellow-on-blue. Rather than adopting the “twin-striped” ident introduced in 1974, decision-makers chose to retain the iconic Futura Bold typeface. Interestingly, the initial iteration of this “new” globe utilised the same model as its predecessor.

However, by 1978, a redesigned globe made its debut, featuring several notable modifications. The space between the globe and the BBC1 legend was expanded, and the globe itself was re-imagined. In this updated version, the North Pole appears noticeably smaller, allowing the continents to occupy more of the sphere, while the reflection takes on a more flattened aesthetic.

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

circa 1974

Views: 1935

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

1974

Views: 1013

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

1974

Views: 672

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

30th September 1974

Views: 788

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Start-Up

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

1977

Views: 1012

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: ST

19th February 1978

Views: 526

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

27th December 1978

Views: 565

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: ST

29th December 1978

Views: 556

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Start-Up

New, it's not

Quality: ST

1979

Views: 604

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Start-Up

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

3rd April 1979

Views: 644

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Closedown

New, it's not

Quality: ST

5th April 1979

Views: 891

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Closedown

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

29th December 1979

Views: 739

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Clock

New, it's not

Quality: ST

1980

Views: 308

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

1st January 1980

Views: 435

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: ST

23rd March 1980

Views: 393

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

11th July 1980

Views: 657

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Closedown

New, it's not

Quality: ST

15th August 1980

Views: 729

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

24th November 1980

Views: 354

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Closedown

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

13th December 1980

Views: 836

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Clock

New, it's not

Quality: ST

16th December 1980

Views: 355

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

16th December 1980

Views: 368

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

21st December 1980

Views: 305

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

23rd December 1980

Views: 530

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

22nd January 1981

Views: 381

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Clock

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

21st February 1981

Views: 348

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Closedown

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

21st April 1981

Views: 277

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

29th April 1981

Views: 526

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

8th July 1981

Views: 482

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

13th July 1981

Views: 308

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

23rd July 1981

Views: 428

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

27th July 1981

Views: 499

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

11th August 1981

Views: 482

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Symbol

New, it's not

Quality: ST

28th August 1981

Views: 504

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Programme Promotions

BBC1 Tuesday Menu

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

29th November 1977

Views: 235

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Monday promo

New, it's not

Quality: ST

5th August 1978

Views: 151

Format: 4:3

Film 79 promo

New, it's not

Quality: ST

September 1979

Views: 168

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: ST

30th March 1980

Views: 102

Format: 4:3

New on BBC1

New, it's not

Quality: ST

20th April 1980

Views: 108

Format: 4:3

Boxing Day promo

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

25th December 1980

Views: 197

Format: 4:3

Airport 75 promo

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

25th December 1980

Views: 125

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Thursday

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

29th April 1981

Views: 134

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Wednesday

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

2nd September 1981

Views: 158

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Holding Slides

Following the globe redesign in late 1974, BBC 1 persisted in using slides reminiscent of its 1969 style. However, these eventually evolved into the iconic “twin-stripe” stills, which graced the channel from approximately 1976 until the latter part of 1983. These slides were unique in featuring an alternative BBC 1 logo, accompanied by the programme title set in Eurostile typography.

Mechanical slides

New, it's not

Quality: ST

23rd January 1979

Views: 172

Format: 4:3

Roadshow Info

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

13th October 1979

Views: 126

Format: 4:3

Holding Slide

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

28th November 1980

Views: 144

Format: 4:3

Sunday look ahead

New, it's not

Quality: ST

14th December 1980

Views: 126

Format: 4:3

On BBC2 now slide

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

25th December 1980

Views: 107

Format: 4:3

BBC1 Continuity

New, it's not

Quality: ST

11th May 1981

Views: 244

Format: 4:3

Holding Slide

New, it's not

Quality: HQ

17th May 1981

Views: 112

Format: 4:3

Further examples of BBC 1 holding slides.

BBC2 Holding Slides

A selection of holding slides used to promote BBC 2 programmes; the following are from 1980.

How did they make the BBC1 “mirror ball” ident/symbol?

For countless aficionados, BBC 1’s iconic mirror globe serves as the quintessential emblem of the channel’s identity. Conceived and crafted by Murray Andrew in 1969, this captivating visual made its screen debut on November 15th of the same year. But what is the story behind the creation and on-screen presentation of this enduring symbol, as well as the accompanying timekeeping graphics?

The iconic globe was a compact mechanical marvel, roughly the dimensions of a shoebox. Illuminated from within by a 10V festoon bulb positioned at its apex, the globe achieved its reflective allure through a concave mirror situated behind it. The channel identifier, a backlit transparency, was designed for easy interchangeability. While most mechanical idents like clocks were typically lit by the presentation camera’s lamp, such an approach would have distorted the globe’s mirror reflection. Hence, an internal light source became imperative. Separate controls at the rear of the device allowed for adjustments to both the globe’s illumination and the ident’s backlighting.

The globe’s geographical features were clear areas, outlined by black metallic paint symbolising the oceans. Due to heat from the internal bulb, the paint often peeled, necessitating frequent touch-ups to keep the continents accurately shaped. Contrary to popular belief, the numerous tiny ‘islands’ on the mirror globe were intentional design elements, not the result of flaking paint or accumulated dust.

Murray Andrew, the creative mind behind the mirror globe, experimented with several prototypes, including variations that featured raised continents and a visible South Pole.