CBBC idents facts for kids
For many years, the BBC has created special TV channels and shows just for kids. These include Children's BBC, and later CBBC and CBeebies. Each of these services has used unique logos and on-screen styles over time. These different looks helped them stand out and connect with their young audiences. This article explores how their branding changed through the years.
Contents
Early Days: Before Children's BBC (Before 1985)
Before Children's BBC officially started on September 9, 1985, BBC1 had some special ways to show its kids' programmes. Announcers would introduce shows without being seen on screen. However, between programmes, special pictures were used to appeal to children.
In the 1970s, a blue and yellow picture showed faces of a boy and girl. It also featured characters like Zebedee from The Magic Roundabout and logos from Play School and Blue Peter. Later, in 1981, this picture changed to show excited children looking at the screen. Promotions sometimes used slides with balloons and the programme name.
Just before Children's BBC began, computer-generated animations were used. These short animations introduced programmes or linked to upcoming shows. For example, a spider might spin down to spell "Hello from BBC1." Even with these new graphics, BBC1's main globe symbol still introduced programmes.
The CBBC Journey
Children's BBC Era (1985–1997)
First Logos and Presenters (1985–1991)
The very first on-screen logo for Children's BBC was made using a computer. It showed the word "Children's" above a large "BBC" in red, green, and blue. The letters would animate with a special electronic sound. This logo first had a blue background, which later changed to black. When programmes aired on BBC2, the letters turned yellow against a white background.
From the start, live presenters talked directly to viewers from a small studio. This studio was famously known as the "Broom Cupboard." Presenters like Phillip Schofield would chat, show children's drawings and letters, and even help control the sound and vision for their links.
When Children's BBC was on BBC2, presenters appeared from a plainer studio. A fun tradition was for the presenter to wear a dinner jacket. This was a joke because BBC2 was seen as a more serious channel.
In 1987, a new animated logo appeared. It showed each letter of "Children's" being drawn on screen. Each letter had an image starting with that letter, like a car for 'C' or a ship for 'S'. These images also appeared on Children's BBC stationery.
Presenters started adding more fun activities, like competitions, to their segments. In 1989, the "Broom Cupboard" got new sound equipment. For a short time, presentation moved to a smaller "Boiler Room" studio.
A new computer-generated logo launched in 1989. It featured a shiny, gold "BBC" text with pale green "Children's" text. The background was dark green with small "CBBC" patterns. The logo formed with zig-zag lines and circles.
New Corporate Look (1991–1997)
On September 9, 1991, Children's BBC got a fresh new look. This new logo focused more on the "Children's" part of the name. It featured large, bright neon-style letters. These letters appeared against a dark, colorful background with upbeat music. Sometimes, a voice would say fun phrases like "Essential viewing coming up."
The "Broom Cupboard" studio also received a makeover with new neon signs. Children's BBC promotions and menus also got a new style. These designs helped link Children's BBC with the main BBC channels.
BBC Scotland sometimes had its own versions of these logos. They used them for local school holiday programmes from 1992 to 1997. These versions included the Scotland branding.
This logo stayed until 1997, but the on-screen animations changed. In 1994, Children's BBC moved from the "Broom Cupboard" to a larger studio. To mark this move, a new animation was created. The logo was now 3D and appeared in chunks against a moving rainbow background. In 1996, this changed to a moving yellow background with a 2D grey BBC logo.
During this time, BBC Manchester's design team created many computer-generated animations. These often included the Children's BBC logo in creative ways.
The CBBC Channel Era (1997–Present)
Yellow Animations and New Set (1997–2002)
On October 4, 1997, the BBC launched a new logo for all its channels. CBBC also got a new logo and on-screen animations. The new CBBC logo featured a "C" in front of the BBC block logo. This made it clear that CBBC was part of the BBC family.
The new animations used a yellow and black color scheme. They showed two-dimensional animations with interesting designs or adventure scenes. The studio also got a yellow and black makeover. It included large CBBC logos, a big video wall, and a computer for the CBBC website.
Special animations were made for Christmas and summer. In 2001, CBBC started broadcasting in widescreen. Some animations were updated or combined into montages. The music also changed, with different tunes for older and younger viewers.
The CBBC Bugs and Channel Launch (2002–2005)
February 11, 2002, was a big day for CBBC. The dedicated CBBC Channel launched, giving the brand its own TV home. At the same time, CBeebies also launched. This meant CBBC now focused on kids aged 6–12.
New on-screen identities were created for both channels. For CBBC, these were green, one-eyed "bugs." These bugs could split apart and often fought or separated on screen. In the weeks before the launch, these bugs even appeared briefly in other BBC channel animations, teasing the new look.
Presenters still appeared on screen, often in front of colorful backgrounds. Promotions showed a wavy blue banner with programme details. The CBBC Channel also had a small logo on screen during shows, called a DOG (Digital On-screen Graphic).
The Green Gumdrop Look (2005–2007)
The "bug" look changed on September 30, 2005. A single, three-dimensional "gumdrop" shaped blob was introduced. This blob had a larger "C" letter. It would zoom around the screen, often with a ball and lightning effects.
These animations also featured characters from popular CBBC shows. For example, cash registers for Kerching! or flying birds for Raven. The presenters appeared less often on screen. In 2006, the studio moved, and presenters stood in front of a blue screen.
Stylised Letters and Mascots (2007–2016)
CBBC relaunched again on September 3, 2007, with a new logo. This logo featured each letter of "CBBC" in a different, unique style. New animations showed scenes with these four stylised letters coming together.
These scenes included cartoon characters from shows like Shaun the Sheep and Tracy Beaker. They also featured stars from current CBBC programmes, such as Barney Harwood and Dani Harmer. Many different styles were created and regularly updated to reflect new shows.
CBBC also introduced a robot mascot named "Mini Zib." Children could even create their own "Mash Up" animations on the CBBC website. Some of these fan-made animations were later used on TV.
In 2010, the CBBC logo became 3D and glossy. The end screens of the animations changed to show this new logo moving on green bars. New animations were added in 2013, mixing up existing ones or adding new elements.
"Just Imagine" Era (2016–2023)
On March 14, 2016, CBBC updated its brand with a new logo. This logo was similar to the one used by BBC Three at the time. New animations were introduced, featuring live-action and animated scenes from everyday life. A special four-note sound jingle was also added.
In January 2022, the logo was slightly updated to include the 2021 BBC blocks. This "chameleon-style" branding was used for promotions and trailers. However, the main animations from 2016 continued to be used until the next big change.
The Flooms: CBBC Today (2023–Present)
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Following a big BBC-wide rebrand in 2021, CBBC launched its newest look on March 15, 2023. The new animations feature square, snake-like cylinders called "Flooms." Like other BBC channels, the new BBC logo is always at the top, with the word "CBBC" at the bottom.
CBeebies Branding Journey
The Friendly Bugbies (2002–2023)
CBeebies launched alongside the CBBC Channel on February 11, 2002. It was designed for preschool children, and later for ages up to 6. The logo and branding CBeebies started with lasted for an amazing 21 years! This made it one of the longest-running BBC branding packages ever.
The channel's animations, called "Bugbies," featured friendly yellow blobs. These were different from CBBC's green bugs, with a much younger feel. The yellow blobs would gently bounce in colorful, patterned environments. The CBeebies logo was always at the top center of the screen.
The music was soft and gentle, with children's voices saying the channel name. This look was made to be similar to CBBC but also clearly different for its younger audience. Some animations featured presenters bouncing the CBeebies logo like a beach ball. Others showed the blobs doing time-related activities, like sleeping for "Bedtime Hour."
CBeebies presenters appear on screen from a large, colorful studio. These segments are pre-recorded, not live. The studio uses smooth lines and everyday objects, perfect for young children. New animations for different programme blocks were made in 2016.
Promotions for CBeebies originally had a similar style to CBBC. Later, they changed to show three patterned hills at the bottom of the screen. The CBeebies logo and programme name appeared in the middle hill. The channel also uses a small on-screen logo (DOG) in the form of the yellow CBeebies logo. This logo rotates to show symbols for different programme segments.
In late 2021, the logo was slightly updated with the 2021 BBC blocks. This "chameleon-style" branding was used for promos and trailers. However, the main animations from 2002 continued to be used until the next big change.
Square Bugs: CBeebies Today (2023–Present)
Following the BBC-wide rebrand in 2021, CBeebies finally updated with a new logo on March 15, 2023. The channel swapped out the designs for the yellow bugs with more square-like designs. These new designs match the new BBC logo. The familiar CBeebies soundtrack was also reimagined for this new branding. Like other BBC channels, the new BBC logo is always at the top, while the word "CBeebies" is always at the bottom.
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