BBC Logo Watch

Updated: 18th August 2019.

Hard though it may be to believe, but the BBC sometimes struggles to get its own logo right. Since it was introduced in October 1997, there have been countless on-air examples of mocked-up versions of the BBC ‘blocks’ logo – with varying levels of awfulness. And still, over twenty-one-and-a-half years since it was launched, the botched recreations of the logo just keep on coming.

How difficult can it be to govern and enforce the use of the genuine article – especially with software available these days to help police such things in an automated fashion? Other broadcasters don’t seem to suffer the same levels of distortion/corruption of their respective logos.

One of the earliest abominations was this example, from the Top of the Pops opening titles (late-1990s):

Another issue – though not quite as common as it once was – is the occasional reappearance of old channel/service logos. This tends to occur in promotional graphics, on-air and online. Here’s an example from Saturday 4th May 2019, where the 2002 – 2006 BBC One logo popped up (stretched) in a BBC Sport graphic:

On this page, we’re going to track the latest issues, and who knows, it may even prompt the powers that be to take some corrective action. We’ll report details of any such positive developments.

That Logo Looks Fine to Me – What’s the Problem?

When we flag up a BBC logo as being a dud or a bad recreation, we often get asked, “What’s wrong with it?” A comparison with the real McCoy is the best way to demonstrate the difference. Below, the official BBC logo versus a poor mock.

Gallery Hall of Shame – 2019

Here are some examples of mocked up BBC logos that have been broadcast by the BBC in the recent past or are currently “live” (either airing on BBC TV channels in the UK, in use online on BBC websites/social media channels, or part of signage on BBC buildings). If you know of any others, let us know, and we’ll include them here.

NOTE: we’re well aware that some of the mocked up logos will go completely unnoticed for most people. Please spare us the sarcastic cries of “how awful”, “what a travesty”, etc etc. To the educated eye, and for those with an appreciation of the finer detail and precision of graphic design/branding, this page is a little more meaningful.

Latest additions:

• BBC Films logo (2007 – present);
• Countryfile (April 2019);
• Doctors (May 2019);
• Gardeners’ World (May 2019);
• BBC Radio Cumbria building signage (May 2019);
• Question Time endboard (June 2019).
• Fake or Fortune (August 2019).
• Hold the Sunset (August 2019).

And if you spot any old BBC channel/service logos popping up on-air or online, please let us know, and we’ll document them here. Latest additions:

• BBC Sport promotional graphic (showing BBC One 2002 – 2006 logo) (4th May 2019).

Successful Corrections

Here we’ll report any news of action taken to correct any invalid BBC logos. Nothing to report yet!

Gallery Hall of Shame – The Past

There are LOTS of examples of the use of botched/out-of-date logos from down through the years. We’d like to build up a gallery of examples. If you have some that you’d like to contribute, please get in touch.

Here are a few to get us started.

Acknowledgements