Every BBC Logo (1922-2023)

The BBC has been around for more than 100 years, yet their main logo has changed surprisingly little over the decades...
Join me as we go through the main BBC logos that have represented the corporation, examine the sometimes subtle, sometimes major differences, and which designs I like, and which ones just don't quite click!
Inspired by Graham Stark's video on the Olympic Emblems:
• Every Olympic Emblem
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#bbc #logodesign #logohistory

[@DAFFYLONDON]

love this! I animated the fly for BBC2 - FLYZAPPER in like 97/98. An absolute honour. Meeting Martin Lambie-Nairn, I kept the fly alive!

[@mariusjmi]

Hey Adam! I've been watching all of your videos about the ident review and British telly for the past couple of years! As a Filipino who never had to experience British telly, I'm fascinated REALLY by the idents British TV companies and networks are making in UK than here in the Philippines. Keep up the good work Adam!!

[@apeculiarmingvase3800]

UK idents are just built different. It's unfair to compare it with The Philippines, or pretty much any other country for that matter.

[@achuuuooooosuu]

@@apeculiarmingvase3800Filipinos are known to compare themselves to other countries unfairly. When I realized this, I thought maybe there's a sophisticated charm to Philippine television that Filipinos don't realize at all.

[@apeculiarmingvase3800]

@@achuuuooooosuu familiarity breeds contempt.

[@WhatALoadOfTosca]

"Companies" is a loose term. ITV, C4, Sky, C5, Virgin... they are all companies. The BBC is not a company. It is a publicly owned entity that likes to pretend it is a company. It is funded entirely by the taxpayer.

[@alexwells6876]

Cracking video! I actually quite like the 88' multicoloured one but the 97' one has got to be my favorite (with the early 60s one not far behind), separated from nostalgia bias i do think it's the best design. I also look at that logo and instantly hear the intro jingle that would play on BBC VHS / DVDs and PC games, makes me think of Wallace & Gromit! There's a good amount of people in youtube comments from that generation that were mildly unnerved by that BBC intro when they were kids, i can't say i disagree with them for some mad reason, but i've got no idea why. There was definitely something somber and ominous about it.

[@Redrally]

So as I'm a bit older than you, Adam, my earliest memory of the BBC logo was the one with the coloured lines. So I have a soft spot for it. Especially as I instantly love any logo that lends itself to colouring in at least some of the time. As you say, the 80s was the era of excess and I'm sure the colours were partly an attempt to compete with the famous Channel 4 logo.

[@ginaweaver4119]

I like the slanted BBC logo with the color lines underneath, but as an American I've mainly seen it as an animated logo for BBC Video so maybe it's more interesting when you mostly see it in motion. Fun fact: The lion on the BBC coat of arms was recreated (with cheap computer graphics) for the 1st logo of Lionheart Television, which distributed BBC's programming in America from 1981-1994.

[@rankapetrovic-ru3oe]

Can you talk about every ITV logo from 1955 to 2023?

[@AdamMartyn]

Definitely a contender for next time!

[@local59_Studios]

@@AdamMartyn dude thanks for hearting my comment lol it makes me happy a famous youtuber hearted my comment

[@richardbutler4488]

That would take a lot of work 😮maybe it could bf an idea to split it up into different itv strands.

[@whatamalike]

​@richardbutler4488 just thinking that! But hey if there's anybody who'd put in the hard graft it's Adam 😅

[@2511dhall]

ITV Companies had different ones.

[@2511dhall]

I grew up with the 1988-97 as it was on the VHS Tapes back in the day and each colour underneath was Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the 1997-2021 is what we mostly have seen in our lifetimes.

[@benjohnson3178]

Hi Adam. Great video from a great channel. I love retro telly so it's all right up my street. Keep up the good work. 🙂

[@AdamMartyn]

Thank you!

[@KRPTV]

The 1988-1997 logo is the one I grew up with so I'd say that one is my favourite. I think one of the reasons the lines were removed for the 1997 rebrand was because they didn't show up very well when the logo was shrunk and neither did the sections in the 'B's'.

[@Nightingale1000]

The 1988 BBC logo definitely screams '80s. And the fact that it was used for a majority of the 1990s is very interesting.

[@davidbull7210]

That 1988 logo didn't appear at the end of programmes til 1990

[@shamra1245]

American here, but I've watched a lot of British programming, and despite it and its replacement predating me, the 1988 one with the lines is so iconic from old BBC VHS tapes T.T Incredibly, incredibly nostalgic.

[@Keirakiwi370]

The funniest thing is that this is what one of my others subscriptions do lol

[@toddhunter3137]

I love you for doing this. I love this. Liked and subscribed. Your itv idents I liked ❤

[@PhilipMurphyExtra]

A great video that deserves more attention.

[@AdamMartyn]

Thank you! Sharing it on any socials would be very much appreciated! 😁

[@JohnFekoloid]

We have a couple VHS recordings at home with the blue rotating globe one.

[@LexVanguard2004]

Nice video Adam! I've had a logo fascination for a good few years as well lol, and your commentary really fits this type of video well. My favourite BBC logo is just the one I grew up with, the new one isn't bad at all but I definitely prefer the bigger letters. I like the one with the RGB lines underneath as well, I gotta say. I'd love to see a CBBC logo evolution video if that's potentially on the cards? 👀

[@s1_auds]

You should definitely do this for other channels, a sequal series to the ident review Adam! For example, ITV's first logo, it's evolution including sub-branding ( itv2, itv3, 4, be ) , again with channel 4 for example.

[@Timmone-ql6qv]

Great vid! Would you mind reviewing all of the CBBC 2007-2016 idents as they bring a lot of nostalgia for me

[@AdamMartyn]

Its been an Ident Review potential for a long time! Its day will come!

[@Timmone-ql6qv]

Thanks 👍

[@redranger4953]

The 90s logo is what I remember best and more fondly. My favourite with the early 00s logo a very close second

[@Brettski777]

Number 2 version is my Fav . Thanks Adam .

[@IainShepherd1]

This is an awesome dive into a very nerdy subject. I didn’t know re the RGB representing the nations as well as the phosphors, that’s very clever. I’m a child of the 80s and it’ll always be that 1997 version for me. Exercise: is there ANYTHING else from the 90s that still looks fresh and modern in 2023? 😄

[@whophd]

I grew up with the lines, but they served a purpose that I enjoyed, which is to say "we're in colour now!" even if it was a decade after most people were switching to colour - there were still a lot of B&W shows on repeat in the 1980s, and the colour logo was the mark of "quality" of a new show available in colour. Think of TV networks showing "HD" logos in the 2000s … it was the same purpose. And just like adding HD logos, it stopped being useful or necessary after about 10 years. So think about how today, you see "HD" or "4K" on a KZbin video, and if something is only 480p or 320p you'd probably avoid it. Same thing.

[@WhovianMG]

I actually prefer the 1988 logo for sure.

[@handsoffmycactus2958]

The 1997 version is still used on the EastEnders title card for the theme tune every episode!!!

[@RebeccaPhythian]

I like the one with the different coloured lines best ❤

[@aaronhall5796]

Interesting the thunder bolt held by the lion on top of the BBC coat of arm was the inspiration for the news branding between 1988 - 1993 when it was replaced with the glass coat of arms. The thunderbolt with BBC going through the middle was used as a badge worn by the commissioner who manned the doors and car parks. There is something about the 1988 logo. I suppose it was the one I grew up with. Anyone who grew up at that time will of course remember the bbc video openings of that time with a that dramatic tune. Of course it didn’t work at smaller sizes and at a time it was used youd print letter heads and that logo had colours meaning it cost more. The 1997 logo is in my opinion was the best logo which the BBC ever had. It corrected all the faults of previous logos. It could work across all media. Whilst the logo is Gill San an it’s actually a modified version. The current logo has actually brought back all the issues that the 1988 logo had. It looks cheap and nasty. The 1997 wasn’t actually supposed to be replaced. Edit; When I visit broadcasting house, in the reception of old broadcasting house is a mosaic floor which is believed to be an early possible attempt at a logo. It’s very different to the three blocks

[@ReuHR]

Hey Adam I aboustlry love these videos due to my love and loning for old telle

[@auroramartell]

I'm a 2000s Brazilian person BUT my favorite BBC logo will be the 1997 one. But that might be mostly due to 90s BBC Two idents.

[@krisstarring]

I'm a Yank, but the three slanted boxes with the blue, red, and green underlines will always be the "BBC" to me. I was born in the 80's and grew up in the 90's. There was a kids' TV show on our public TV network called "Ghostwriter" that was co-produced with the BBC. The closing had that particular BBC logo at the end. Also, as a teenager, I remember watching British comedies on my local PBS station and seeing the BBC logo at the end of those shows in the 2000's as well. Episodes of "Red Dwarf" had the 1997 logo design but had this red/green/blue "smoke" waving behind the logo which made it appear as if it was for the previous logo.

[@ScarTheLionKisser]

In fact, the 1988 logo shows Red, Blue and Green, and in television, Red Blue and Green mix to make white, and most of England's flag is white!

[@nightpups5835]

I think my issue with the 70s logo, is that the letters didn't get the same rounded treatment, especially on the left side of the B's

[@local59_Studios]

At least the logos mainly stayed the same as it's more or less always been 3 blocks (I think this is what BBC choice was referencing)

[@supuaforever21]

as much as i like the new version of the Logo , the Gill Sans (1997-2021) version in my opinion, is the BEST version of the Logo, and i wish it lasted longer

[@kennedyhopkins2000]

I love the 1997 one because I grew up with it

[@edwardburek1717]

Gotta admit, my favourite BBC logo was the 1997-2021 Gill Sans look, even though it looked a bit dull compared to the previous logo in retrospect. Nevertheless, that didn't stop me getting some merch with that logo - pencil, pen, ruler, coffee mug, coaster, and yes, even the t-shirt. I think there were some distinctive BBC logos created from its inauguration right up to the 50's, mostly consisting of a small B, a big B, and a small C, but I'd dare say that they were unofficial and not universally used by all BBC departments of that era.

[@peterglass8657]

I like the 1963, 1971 and 1988 BBC logos.

[@venangoproductions]

I grew up seeing 1997, Doctor Who aired on a couple of Canadian channels growing up, I particularly remember Space TV (now CTV Sci-fi) and then when 2005 started airing, being co-produced by CBC, I watched it on there, but I don’t see the logo as often now that I live in the US, I only see it on Call the Midwife and Doctor Who

[@Jehannum2000]

I haven't watched the BBC for years, so hadn't seen the latest logo until now. Compared to Gill Sans, the new font is insipid; perhaps aptly so for the Beeb these days. The current logo looks like Scrabble tiles.

[@tinascousin]

Hey Adam, the logo with the “softened edges” was onscreen since at least the beginning of Doctor Who in 1963, and I’ve also seen it on corporate letterhead throughout the 60s and it was featured on the outside of BBC Television Centre. So it wasn’t a change or a new logo variation that came into being in the 70s. Pretty sure the only onscreen element of it that changed from the 60s to the 70s was when they changed it from “BBCtv” to “BBC COLOUR” in ~1972? I always assumed the rounded corners were just to make the boxes look TV-shaped. Pretty common approach for station and network logos around the world over the years. The logo with the squared-off edges (with or without the coloured lines under) wasn’t onscreen until late-1989 at the earliest. To use Doctor Who as an example again, the rounded corners logo was onscreen right up until the last episode of the classic series in December 89.

[@AdamMartyn]

Just checked the credits for An Unearthly Child and the BBC logo under the directors credits looks like the sharp edged one? Could be my eyes but it looks sharper than the soft edge variant

[@tinascousin]

@@AdamMartyn I mean, im no ophthalmologist, so I couldn’t say definitively, but I think it could well be your eyes mate. That logo from the end of Survival episode 3 was virtually identical to the logo from Unearthly Child 1. The only sígnificant change between 1963 and 1989 was the change from “BBC-tv” to “BBC Colour” to “BBC”. The square edged one came about at the end of 89 at the very earliest, if I recall correctly.

[@AdamMartyn]

As someone whose had visual impairment since birth, I'm willing to concede it could be my vision. But take another look at those early 60s episode credits. To me the spacing between blocks isn't as much as the soft edged logo and the edges themselves seem clearly sharp. Just my view of course!

[@tinascousin]

@@AdamMartyn nope mate, ignore me, I think you were 100% right! I went back and watched a bunch of closing credits and then a bunch of BBC idents and I think they actually did soften the edges a bit around 1972, at least for the BBC idents. I think maybe a bit earlier for the closing credit logos. It’s kinda hard to tell clearly with all this grainy old footage to trawl through. And you’re right, I also noticed the earlier spacing - much closer. Funny how you can look at something for years and years and years and assume you know what it looks like … but you actually don’t! I defer to you :)

[@mrsbrown9]

@@AdamMartyn the 60s BBC logo also appeared on the English dub of the magic roundabout

[@steeviebops]

The 1988 logo is my personal favourite, having grown up with it, but I understand the reasons for its replacement. The colour logo increased printing costs and the counters (the bits in the centre of the letters) were so small that it was difficult to render the logo on television in a small size. Either the counters or the lines underneath could disappear entirely. The 1988 logo was only installed on the outside of Television Centre in 1994, but was gone by the end of 1997.

[@itsrickyschannel.]

Despite not being born before 1997, I am rather fond of the 1988 one, hence why I copied it for my KZbin Channel logo.

[@Scott...]

The most annoying thing about the newest logo is they didn’t even change the BBC News logo to match it until months later. Pointed it out to my family once and nobody believed me lol

[@user-ww2es9sm1w]

Hi adam

[@AdamMartyn]

Ellooooo!

[@GerryMcGarry]

The 97 one is the best closely followed by the RGB one. The current one has bad spacing.

[@Chaeuraersat]

This video is great

[@AdamMartyn]

Thank you! Share it around the socials if you like!

[@CulturePhilter]

Can’t believe you missed out the 1930s logo that I pointed out to you in Broadcasting House reception and lifts. For a reminder google BBC Mosaic logo. 😜

[@AdamMartyn]

Oh my goodness I had a hunch I'd miss something 🙈 thanks for the reminder bud, I implore everyone go always Google and have a look!

[@richellebrittain2127]

I'm not sure if the "mosaic logo" was ever intended to be a true logo. Remember, in 1932 the BBC was primarily a radio service only experimenting in TV; logos don't exactly have much use in radio, and the best known U.S. logos from then that have survived in modified form today are from movie studio openings (idents?), some as far back as the 1910's (the Paramount mountain, Universal globe & Goldwyn/MGM lion). Logos didn't become common in broadcasting till TV began to be dominant in the 1950's & they proved to be useful in idents; the oldest of the U.S. TV logos is from then (the CBS eye, 1951), as well as NBC's iconic peacock (originally a color show ident in the 1950's, became part of the network logo in the late 1970's & modified to essentially its present form in 1986).

[@glassowlie]

While the logo doesn't look the best it's the animations especially when it's used as a transition to a trailer to an ident!

[@toddhunter3137]

The BBC 2. The 2 sign going down into the white powder with that splash was good 😅. I grew up with that

[@FTVTo10KSubs]

Gotta love the BBC

[@mzcymro]

The current BBC logo is insufficiently different to the 1997 - 2021 version, and looks somewhat insipid in comparison in my opinion. I'm aware of the contraversial nature of Eric Gill, but there are arguments for separating the person and the art they made. As far as I'm aware there are no plans to remove the carved friezes on Broadcasting House, which are also the work of Eric Gill. Personally I prefer the Gill Sans logo, and am of the opinion that if a change were really necessary then maybe a far more radical change could have been considered.

[@davidbull7210]

The 97 logo was unveiled in 1996 but not used til the following year

[@jackdey9153]

Hi there.

[@AdamMartyn]

Hiya!

[@ashitomarisu]

Gill Sans Typeface Gill Sans Typeface TOO ICONIC TOO ICONIC Now it's too common but still a good typeface.

[@Ese96Agoaye]

Looking at the Weather logo, the three blocks could've symbolised rain, rather than the sun. Just a thought.

[@apeculiarmingvase3800]

I would love to see a review of S4C's "Dragon" and "Magnetic" idents one day.

[@AusNetFan13]

Gawd, the 2021 logo looks like it was designed from baby blocks. I’m sorry.

[@somethingelse4878]

Watching your channel brings back a time all but gone now. I just about remember the 79 strike being 13 at the time. I enjoyed your look at colour and it got me thinking I have/had a colour television book of 1972 tv and the change to a higher res and colour if I find it, would you want it? Haven't seen tv since 99 as im never paying the bbc tax it's all pcs for us You should do a vid on the Ariel Coax Socket and what we could plug into it Binatone, VCRs, Atari, vic20, c64, Amiga

[@dannyboydoh]

I think they should of made the boxes red, green and blue, I think the black and white are a bit dull.

[@koiyune]

this is perfection

[@AdamMartyn]

Thank you!

[@koiyune]

i know how much you put into your videos, so thank you, adam!

[@andresbravo2003]

Hopefully ITV will be next, and so is Channel 4 & 5!

[@mathieuleader8601]

seeing the 90's BBC logo on my Childrens Favourites compilation VHS was very scary

[@richardh100]

the BBC values are Our values are: AUDIENCES are at the heart of everything we do CREATIVITY is the lifeblood of our organisation TRUST is the foundation of the BBC - we’re independent, impartial and truthful We RESPECT each other - we’re kind, and we champion inclusivity We are ACCOUNTABLE and deliver work of the highest quality We are ONE BBC - we collaborate, learn and grow together

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

25 years from now, BBC would introduce a new logo with...no letters and just the blocks.

[@Jaketherobonrd]

I always thought the BBC logo from 1990-1997 was eerie spooky. Don’t know why? It probably when i use to see the idents in bbc two they use to creep me out and also on the vhs too.

[@HerrChew]

I actually much prefer the latest BBC logo, mainly because its legibility is clearer at all sizes, plus the boxes are actually square in size now with equal spacing between the boxes to make it balanced.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

The angled BBC logo used to scare the absolute living shit out of me. Even at just 5 or 6, it looked like the logo of a seriously malevolent spy organisation! Made much worse by occasionally coming out of the screen at you!

[@georgesretrochannel508]

What's that clip from 13:22 to 13:43? By the way, There was another Logo which is called BBC Somerset Sound!

[@steeviebops]

It's a promo video issued by Lambie Nairn about the rebrand. KZbin doesn't like me posting links but the video ID is pi3HN60eOZc

[@davidbull7210]

I've got a shaving brush that looks just like you.

[@AdamMartyn]

Based

[@timecapsule.]

The one ninegit eight logo scared me as a child.

[@Freezer28528]

You forgot to mention the one with the words BBC and the purple box around it.

[@flashgordonandfurfamily5179]

The new big brother trailer released! Can you talk about it?

[@AusNetFan13]

Hey Adam. A tangential question. Let’s get to the BBC theme. I absolutely loved the David Rowe version. Gawd, even the BBC released a CD of the theme and variations. I even purchased one. The David Lowe version reeked of the power of both the UK and the BBC. Strange, a few years later, the insane BBC dropped the David version. Seriously, the BBC became so wimpy after the change. Even their news coverage suffered. The David Lowe version should be reinstated.

[@fanyt1894]

Television centre documentary ?

[@AusNetFan13]

Because of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, the BBC should have waited until after the year 2001 to change its logo from the 1960s. Add more realism to both.

[@chapterblaq]

can someone explain this aspect to me? 11:39 like why does blue represent Scotland for example?

[@steeviebops]

The colours are on the flags of each of the countries. Except Northern Ireland oddly, green is on the Republic of Ireland flag but not the NI one.

[@agentcairney1802]

BBC earth has gotten a rebrand

[@LevelcrossingisLevelcrossing]

1991 logo was iconic even 1997

[@LevelcrossingisLevelcrossing]

When is the next ident review my suggestion is 2017 bbc one idents

[@rogerdarthwell5393]

The story of the BBC logo is the literal story of evolution.....up until it's sudden involution in 2021

[@philtorpey]

All the BBC presenters are on bugle.

[@harryelliott4310]

BBC

[@paulwebbiweb]

Breadth not "bredth".

[@domwigley62]

Adam, why do you have a bias towards the BBC? Not being mean, just think you can be a bit more balanced mate

[@AdamMartyn]

I mean, this video is just me looking at their logos, to which I like most of them 😂 the only bias I think I said in the vid was towards the '97 logo as that's what I grew up with! But aside from nostalgia goggles, I'll always try and keep as balanced as possible!

[@axyglx]

Such big hair with such tiny eyes

[@ElectroStorm_Gaming]

3rd Pin!

[@ms.antithesis]

Honestly i hate the 1997-2021 logo. it's such a downgrade. i get the 3 block minimalism but the font is imo just a terrible font. on the otherhand i think the other subbrand logo's, cbbc, bbc3 ect. peaked in this era. so wierd mix. 1988, the and the 60's logo are what i conisdier peak. but the 2022- logo is imo pretty good. just with the caviat that the spacing is too far apart. honesltly i'd have loved for the new font to more closely resemble the older one, but hey, it's fine.