A short history of the TV logo

From BBC2's Late Show in 1989: Peter York reviews the history of TV idents

[@kstarpictures]

LOL, I love the continuity announcer after that montage of idents. "Well, just in case you're thoroughly confused, I can assure you you're watching BBC 2."

[@PunkTiger]

This clip was worthless without the seizure-inducing Harlech logo. I can't help it. To my American eyes, that was the most epic logo EVER.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

True!

[@jadsi]

@@ChristopherSobieniak ikr

[@anonUK]

Apparently, the effect only really worked in 405 lines, (which was a crazy idea in 1968). I have tried watching it in 360p on YT and no additional effects were obvious.

[@MePeterNicholls]

This show needs to return.

[@sirmustapha]

It did, at least, include that creepy, menacing, fascinating Ulster logo. That is, by far, one of my favourites.

[@Woollylinnet]

@eszettfromhell Did you also notice him holding up the ABC, Rediffusion and ATV idents as setting early precedents, while what we actually saw was the 1970s ATV ident rendered in B&W?

[@ninkynonk5007]

I'm sorry, but I love how evil Peter is about the other stations and then basically crowns the BBC as gods of the television industry. Talk about being biased.

[@stephenguppy7882]

Ah. Good old Westward Television with the Golden Hinde. Those were the days.

[@JustB3NJI]

I cracked up when the snob hosting this insulted STV's frequent idents...The English upper class always has to get a sly dig in at the Scots.

[@Agnethatheredhairkid]

Peter is so handsome and quite amusing!

[@glen1555]

Missed out Thames and the early Yorkshire Television idents

[@1Soniccool]

Sky Plc. Currently is owned by Comcast but the logos shown here are from ITV Plc and Channel 4

[@Clavinovaman]

1:14 / 2:58: Still the best TV ident of them all. But its the music that makes it, rather than the design. YTV coming a close second.

[@sillygoose635]

Probably one of the worst, too pompous, loud and brass. 4:20 is undoubtedly the best.

[@whatamalike]

I must admit; I have never really appreciated the ATV ident. I dunno if it's a generation thing, But i think it just looks tacky. Yorkshire, LWT and Thames by comparison were striking and iconic. Granada's would be too if it MOVED! The Anglia Knight will always be the absolute worst for me though; specifically the drab colour one.

[@Woollylinnet]

@VectorOmega Not sure whether they're good ones, but the ATV In Colour ident is my ringtone, while the 1970s Yorkshire one provides my text message alert. They work for me.

[@whatamalike]

"Flying bits in space, how do they do that!?" That channel 4 ident is in my opinion the best ident ive ever seen. So bold and uplifting. Not like the ones they have now, whilst interesting, lack SOUL. Lack everything else on TV since the late 90's.

[@sillygoose635]

nope, VERY much like today, everything has soul, unlike content from the 20th century

[@PunkTiger]

*heh* Fair enough. The original Ulster ident was pretty cool with the lovely/creepy Celesta music.

[@MattLeger]

Was there some sort of policy at the Late Show that their presenters had to look barely more animated than dressed-up mannequins?

[@nemesis8671]

Im guessing this is where all logo history channel got their videos

[@rwarinn]

3:00 turn your phone upside Down it Chanel7 of thailand logo

[@2tri749]

ITV logos on BBC 2? What? *oh i get it now*

[@genzolorenzo]

thanks that was interesting!

[@VectorOmega]

Would it be possible to recreate the BBC/ITV ident music with Famitracker? Also, what BBC/ITV ident music would make a really good ringtone?

[@billyh88uk]

Was this the source footage for all the earliest TV ident websites?

[@VMPhil]

It apparently inspired Darren Meldrum to launch the MHP website.

[@star_man]

Yep it was about 4 foot high and 3 foot long.

[@matthewpayton]

Great i dents

[@Rexeljet]

One inch or two? wasn't the Anglia knight 4 feet tall or something?

[@lightningmcqueenfan957]

4:58 My favorite Ulster Television logo!

[@MJandST2926]

ATV sounds like the NBC chimes.

[@Blubatt]

My theory is that because Lew Grade was such an international television playboy, he took inspiration

[@matthewrobinsonsz]

Pool

[@gentsw13]

ABC Ident was THE best!

[@fraserkatie]

Great clip, but why does the man have to be so sarcastic about tv idents, and the wiman at the start is even more sarcastic and up herself!

[@AJD73]

@ianhawdon Yer and some at the BBC said SKY would not last 3 years,Now it 22 years later so it has lasted so in your face BBC people and BBC lovers.

[@JoeyXSmith]

The male presenter is so pompous.