BBC Two 2001 – 2007 Branding

After a remarkable decade-long run, BBC Two Controller Jane Root decided it was time to retire the iconic ‘2’ idents. Starting on November 19, 2001, the channel unveiled a revamped ‘2’ that maintained a consistent ivory hue set against a yellow backdrop. This newly imagined ‘2’ was imbued with its own distinct personality, courtesy of designer Martin Lambie-Nairn. The once expansive array of over 30 idents was pared down to a mere four, leading to some grumbling among staff.

One network director, rumour has it, vocally lamented the limited selection on the day of the launch. The BBC Two ident was subsequently relocated to a discrete purple box in the screen’s bottom-right corner, setting a precedent that would eventually be adopted by the channel’s three network counterparts. Was this a change for the better? The verdict is yours to make..

BBC Two Special Idents

A selection of special idents used by BBC Two during this period.

In 2003 BBC Two was named Channel of the Year.

BBC Two Programme Promotions

BBC Two Holding Slides 2001

Don’t these visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the classic slides from the 1970s and 1980s? By 2001, the daytime school programming block had become the last remaining time slot where slides were still in use on BBC Two. As foretold in our commentary from that year, this era marked the end of the line for the use of slides on the channel.