BBC2 1974 – 1979 Branding

As the early 1970s dawned, BBC2 bid adieu to its iconic cube, elegantly syncing its departure with the arrival of BBC1’s fresh, globetrotting symbol. It was less of a goodbye and more of a stylish handover, marking a new era in British broadcasting aesthetics.

BBC2 Programme Promotions

BBC2 Holding Slides

BBC2 Miscellaneous Items

The 1974 ident for BBC2 may seem at first glance like a simple pair of cylinders spinning in counter-rotations, adorned with alternating lines. But it was so much more than that – a veritable feat of visual engineering. As revealed in our captivating photographs, this mesmerising model was actually a stack of 23 individual discs, each contributing a single line to form the ‘2.’ To achieve the hypnotic visual effect, every other line was set to spin in the opposite direction. Many thanks to Kirk Northrop and The National Media Museum for providing these eye-opening photographs.

The mesmerising mechanical symbol has found a prestigious home at the National Media Museum in Bradford. There, it stands as an iconic piece of broadcast history, waiting for you to behold its intricate beauty in person.