The Christmas Ident Speculation Thread - Broadcasting

wizzywick · 05-11-2009, 22:30

We already have a Radio Times Countdown thread, and true, the prospects of Idents are being discussed there, but with just 5 weeks until we possibly get to see this years idents, would anyone care to join in the fun and speculate their ideas as to what we can expect this year. Also, is there, in your humble opinions, any substance to the idea that BBC1's Christmas idents will focus on Doctor Who?

I personally believe there could be truth in this but what I don't want is for them to launch on December 12th. I think the 19th December would be sufficient.

Face Of Jack · 05-11-2009, 22:40

I used to love Christmas idents on the telly when I was a kid (Hmmm 1970's). BBC always replaced their globe with a rotating Xmas Pudding or whatever, and ITV would have their own regional ident decorated with something.
Nowadays, they do naff-all! BBC do their own little thing, which is nice. ITV do NOTHING! (Last year they had a few sparkly bits at the side of ITV1 - Big Deal!)
No-one seems to bother these days, shame!
The most Christmassy thing is the adverts!

Paul02 · 05-11-2009, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Face Of Jack

I used to love Christmas idents on the telly when I was a kid (Hmmm 1970's). BBC always replaced their globe with a rotating Xmas Pudding or whatever, and ITV would have their own regional ident decorated with something.
Nowadays, they do naff-all! BBC do their own little thing, which is nice. ITV do NOTHING! (Last year they had a few sparkly bits at the side of ITV1 - Big Deal!)
No-one seems to bother these days, shame!
The most Christmassy thing is the adverts!

Yep- business 'ethics' and general miserablism have a very strong hold now.

craig-maclellan · 06-11-2009, 00:00

I hope that BBC One build up a bank of Christmas idents to use over the years, with a new one each year.

They could bring back the snowball from 06/07 and the pengiuns from 08. They could then add a Christmas Cake this year (from above, it'll look like a circle, which would be in keeping with the rest of the idents) and then another few over the next few years.

hardylane · 06-11-2009, 03:15

The BBC Xmas idents were always a treat in our house... usually introduced on the afternoon of Xmas Eve in the 70's...

In retrospect they were often cheap tat, but it signalled the start of 14 days of GREAT TV... I feel sorry for todays' kids, who don't get the sheer national impact of the UK Xmas TV season, pre-VCRs. The golden age indeed.

ITV's idents were usually cheap animation or just some loose tinsel... dreadful.

My guess for BBC One is Doctor Who... no question.

JAS84 · 06-11-2009, 16:03

Yeah, last year's was Wallace and Gromit because they had the terrestrial premiere of Curse of the Were-Rabbit and a brand new short, A Matter of Loaf and Death, in the schedule. This year DW has at least the two new episodes, plus probably DW Confidential, and maybe even some repeats too (SJA omnibuses would do pretty well I reckon).

BBC2 will probably reuse the same ident they've used since 2007. ITV and Channel 4 will probably just use their normal idents. Five will probably have a Christmas ident, as they usually do, no idea what it'll look like though.

argyess · 06-11-2009, 20:18

My own predictions for the xmas idents this year are

bbc1- definite new ident ?Doctor Who themed

bbc2- new ident (the magic sprite one has already been used twice so should be due for a change)

itv1- another outing for the 2008 xmas ident

channel 4- no xmas ident (as usual)

five- new ident

These are just guesses on my part. What does everyone else reckon?

wizzywick · 06-11-2009, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by argyess

My own predictions for the xmas idents this year are

bbc1- definite new ident ?Doctor Who themed

bbc2- new ident (the magic sprite one has already been used twice so should be due for a change)

itv1- another outing for the 2008 xmas ident

channel 4- no xmas ident (as usual)

five- new ident

These are just guesses on my part. What does everyone else reckon?

One of my all time favourites was the 1998 ident. I know a lot of people think it was dull but I loved the simplicity of the giant red bauble with glittering snow effect. Very Christmassey. To me that was the perfect Christmas ident along with 2001's. They air far too early nowadays so the magic is all but lost. I used to remember getting really excited when the first Christmas trails would air and the films that no one had seen before would be promoted. We would go "OOH, THAT'S BRILLIANT!" Those really were the days!

mbessex · 07-11-2009, 01:01

Will BBC1 have a proper length one or will we get a 5 second cut like the preset set were hacked into?

They were really good but the shorter edits stripped all the fun from them. What a waste.

wizzywick · 08-11-2009, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbessex

Will BBC1 have a proper length one or will we get a 5 second cut like the preset set were hacked into?

They were really good but the shorter edits stripped all the fun from them. What a waste.

I am looking forward to finding out next month!

Craig · 08-11-2009, 21:34

Sorry to jump on the thread, but this Radio Times Christmas cover from 1977 l saw as a kid, l've always thought it was very clever.

hopeandfaith06 · 08-11-2009, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Face Of Jack

I used to love Christmas idents on the telly when I was a kid (Hmmm 1970's). BBC always replaced their globe with a rotating Xmas Pudding or whatever, and ITV would have their own regional ident decorated with something.
Nowadays, they do naff-all! BBC do their own little thing, which is nice. ITV do NOTHING! (Last year they had a few sparkly bits at the side of ITV1 - Big Deal!)
No-one seems to bother these days, shame!
The most Christmassy thing is the adverts!

Erm, think you might be getting your ITV years mixed up. 2007 ITV did nothing special, but 2008 they had a nice ident and a nice christmas theme. I wouldn't actually mind if they use the ident again, but it would be great to get something new.

Sky's (1, 2 and 3) had nice xmas idents as well. Channel 4 did nothing as usual

Five's where quite nice.
BBC1's was good but got old very quick.

GODDESS · 08-11-2009, 22:30

Thought you might be interested in this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69quw1y-iak

GODDESS · 08-11-2009, 22:32

.......and this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQW4NyxUz2Q

CheekyTV · 08-11-2009, 22:40

I love Doctor Who, but I don't think it should have anything to do with the BBC1 Christmas ident..the Christmas ident should symbolize the season and not a TV programme..what the heck has Doctor Who got to do with Christmas..absolutely nothing..the Wallace and Gromit ident got on my nerves after about 2 days on air I disliked it as it was associated to a programme..plus it got boring very quickly as they started it too early and there were no alternatives to it...I think all Christmas idents should start on the nearest Saturday to Christmas!...even though I don't like the idea of Doctor Who in the Christmas ident, it looks like it might be..

..what rubbish!

I think BBC2 may have a new ident this year

ITV1 had a nice ident last year the best one they have had in years..all those Christmas icons on the tree...

Channel 4 say no more...nothing...

...

Five usually try and do something...at least they try!!...

hopeandfaith06 · 08-11-2009, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheekyTV

I love Doctor Who, but I don't think it should have anything to do with the BBC1 Christmas ident..the Christmas ident should symbolize the season and not a TV programme..what the heck has Doctor Who got to do with Christmas..absolutely nothing..the Wallace and Gromit ident got on my nerves after about 2 days on air I disliked it as it was associated to a programme..plus it got boring very quickly as they started it too early and there were no alternatives to it...I think all Christmas idents should start on the nearest Saturday to Christmas!...even though I don't like the idea of Doctor Who in the Christmas ident, it looks like it might be..

..what rubbish!

I think BBC2 may have a new ident this year

ITV1 had a nice ident last year the best one they have had in years..all those Christmas icons on the tree...

Channel 4 say no more...nothing...

...

Five usually try and do something...at least they try!!...

I agree with you that a Christmas ident shouldn't be based around a program, but around the season. Like you, the W&G soon grew boring for me whereas the ITV1 I enjoyed seeing it every time it was on.

wizzywick · 11-11-2009, 20:15

I have a strong suspicion that programme based Christmas idents are what we can expect from now on. Mind you, as far back as 1991, BBC1 used programmes as part of their campaign. Batman logo appeared in the 1991 ident and in 2001 there was the trotters three wheeler and the dog from station jim and the dinosaur from toy story in the idents attached to balloons.

I don't mind Doctor Who being the ident theme as long as it's Christmassey.

VirginMediaPhil · 11-11-2009, 20:53

I think Channel 4 have the right to not show a Christmas ident, as they cater nowadays to a wide variety of faiths and so a Christmas ident would not fit in.

For the other channels though, it would be nice to see more than just one ident, but if not then make sure the idents are not on as early because after a while the same ident just feels repetitive. Maybe use the 2006 and 2007 idents along with a new one this Christmas?

Andy B · 11-11-2009, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirginMediaPhil

I think Channel 4 have the right to not show a Christmas ident, as they cater nowadays to a wide variety of faiths and so a Christmas ident would not fit in.

I haven't heard any muslims/buddists/hindus etc... complaining.

gareth_williams · 11-11-2009, 21:45

I heard rumours on TV Forum that BBC One are having a Doctor Who themed ident. I don't know how they are going to make it Christmassy. Come to think of it how would it fit in with the Circle theme? As for BBC Two they will probably have a new ident as they had one two years running already. ITV1 will probably reuse last years effort which I thought was a brilliant ident considering they couldn't be bothered in 2006 and 2007. Channel 4 would probably be playing scrooge as usual, they never had any special ident of any kind since introducing the package in 2004 and Five would probably have new idents too.

Scotlish · 11-11-2009, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy B

I haven't heard any muslims/buddists/hindus etc... complaining.

Exackly, what a stupid thing to say..the UK celebrates Christmas regardless of what faiths are here, if they didnae like it, they could complain, which they don't, don't know where that guy's head is

hopeandfaith06 · 11-11-2009, 22:45

I don't understand Channel 4. Last year and previous years, did they even have christmas themes promos and endcaps etc? Even digital channels like ITV2 and BBC3 could manage that.

I'm sure Five will have new xmas idents again as lately they seem to make a new idents (now all program specific) every week (it is a bit weird when Neighbour's ident comes on before The Wright Stuff though)

marke09 · 12-11-2009, 20:32

Why have a Dr Who themed ident this year its not as if its new they should have had that bac kin 2005 when it came back and was featured on the front of the Christmas Radio Times - last year Wallace and Gromit wasa the first new film for years and they showed the feature film.

bbbnbbb · 12-11-2009, 20:35

I would hate having a Doctor Who christmas ident. The ident should reflect christmas more than a TV show on during Christmas. I think it would be like if they show all the ones they had so far plus a new one, maybe with Santa or something!

CheekyTV · 12-11-2009, 23:17

The idea of having Doctor Who in the BBC1 ident fills me with dread...unless they have made an ident that's adaptable one with the Doctor Who and more with out!

05-11-2009, 22:30	#1
wizzywick Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Services: digiguide Posts: 300	The Christmas Ident Speculation Thread We already have a Radio Times Countdown thread, and true, the prospects of Idents are being discussed there, but with just 5 weeks until we possibly get to see this years idents, would anyone care to join in the fun and speculate their ideas as to what we can expect this year. Also, is there, in your humble opinions, any substance to the idea that BBC1's Christmas idents will focus on Doctor Who? I personally believe there could be truth in this but what I don't want is for them to launch on December 12th. I think the 19th December would be sufficient.

08-11-2009, 22:40	#15
CheekyTV Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: C U Next Tuesday Club Services: V+ Broadband Posts: 3,204	I love Doctor Who, but I don't think it should have anything to do with the BBC1 Christmas ident..the Christmas ident should symbolize the season and not a TV programme..what the heck has Doctor Who got to do with Christmas..absolutely nothing..the Wallace and Gromit ident got on my nerves after about 2 days on air I disliked it as it was associated to a programme..plus it got boring very quickly as they started it too early and there were no alternatives to it...I think all Christmas idents should start on the nearest Saturday to Christmas!...even though I don't like the idea of Doctor Who in the Christmas ident, it looks like it might be....what rubbish! I think BBC2 may have a new ident this year ITV1 had a nice ident last year the best one they have had in years..all those Christmas icons on the tree... Channel 4 say no more...nothing...... Five usually try and do something...at least they try!!...

05-11-2009, 22:40	#2
Face Of Jack Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: N. Yorkshire Services: TalkTalk Posts: 1,770	I used to love Christmas idents on the telly when I was a kid (Hmmm 1970's). BBC always replaced their globe with a rotating Xmas Pudding or whatever, and ITV would have their own regional ident decorated with something. Nowadays, they do naff-all! BBC do their own little thing, which is nice. ITV do NOTHING! (Last year they had a few sparkly bits at the side of ITV1 - Big Deal!) No-one seems to bother these days, shame! The most Christmassy thing is the adverts!

06-11-2009, 00:00	#4
craig-maclellan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Glasgow Services: Freeview, Broadband, Amazing new HDTV Posts: 971	I hope that BBC One build up a bank of Christmas idents to use over the years, with a new one each year. They could bring back the snowball from 06/07 and the pengiuns from 08. They could then add a Christmas Cake this year (from above, it'll look like a circle, which would be in keeping with the rest of the idents) and then another few over the next few years.

06-11-2009, 03:15	#5
hardylane Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Services: Sky+, Freeview, Virgin XXL Broadband, Sony DVD/PVR, PS2, Xbox, Windows 7 Posts: 649	The BBC Xmas idents were always a treat in our house... usually introduced on the afternoon of Xmas Eve in the 70's... In retrospect they were often cheap tat, but it signalled the start of 14 days of GREAT TV... I feel sorry for todays' kids, who don't get the sheer national impact of the UK Xmas TV season, pre-VCRs. The golden age indeed. ITV's idents were usually cheap animation or just some loose tinsel... dreadful. My guess for BBC One is Doctor Who... no question.

06-11-2009, 16:03	#6
JAS84 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 2,268	Yeah, last year's was Wallace and Gromit because they had the terrestrial premiere of Curse of the Were-Rabbit and a brand new short, A Matter of Loaf and Death, in the schedule. This year DW has at least the two new episodes, plus probably DW Confidential, and maybe even some repeats too (SJA omnibuses would do pretty well I reckon). BBC2 will probably reuse the same ident they've used since 2007. ITV and Channel 4 will probably just use their normal idents. Five will probably have a Christmas ident, as they usually do, no idea what it'll look like though.

06-11-2009, 20:18	#7
argyess Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 21	My own predictions for the xmas idents this year are bbc1- definite new ident ?Doctor Who themed bbc2- new ident (the magic sprite one has already been used twice so should be due for a change) itv1- another outing for the 2008 xmas ident channel 4- no xmas ident (as usual) five- new ident These are just guesses on my part. What does everyone else reckon?

07-11-2009, 01:01	#9
mbessex Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,499	Will BBC1 have a proper length one or will we get a 5 second cut like the preset set were hacked into? They were really good but the shorter edits stripped all the fun from them. What a waste.

08-11-2009, 21:34	#11
Craig Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Portsmouth Services: Sky+ HD, Panasonic Blu Ray-Multi, Samsung LCD 52", Onkyo 706, DVD Recorder Posts: 1,265	Sorry to jump on the thread, but this Radio Times Christmas cover from 1977 l saw as a kid, l've always thought it was very clever.

08-11-2009, 22:30	#13
GODDESS Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waltham Cross Hertfordshire Services: sky sky broadband Posts: 1,032	Thought you might be interested in this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69quw1y-iak

08-11-2009, 22:32	#14
GODDESS Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waltham Cross Hertfordshire Services: sky sky broadband Posts: 1,032	.......and this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQW4NyxUz2Q

11-11-2009, 20:15	#17
wizzywick Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Services: digiguide Posts: 300	I have a strong suspicion that programme based Christmas idents are what we can expect from now on. Mind you, as far back as 1991, BBC1 used programmes as part of their campaign. Batman logo appeared in the 1991 ident and in 2001 there was the trotters three wheeler and the dog from station jim and the dinosaur from toy story in the idents attached to balloons. I don't mind Doctor Who being the ident theme as long as it's Christmassey.

11-11-2009, 20:53	#18
VirginMediaPhil Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North West Services: Virgin TV XL, Broadband XL and phone line (no package, use UWDC/converter) Posts: 207	I think Channel 4 have the right to not show a Christmas ident, as they cater nowadays to a wide variety of faiths and so a Christmas ident would not fit in. For the other channels though, it would be nice to see more than just one ident, but if not then make sure the idents are not on as early because after a while the same ident just feels repetitive. Maybe use the 2006 and 2007 idents along with a new one this Christmas?

11-11-2009, 21:45	#20
gareth_williams Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rhondda Cynon Taff, S Wales Services: Sky Digital, Orange internet Posts: 205	I heard rumours on TV Forum that BBC One are having a Doctor Who themed ident. I don't know how they are going to make it Christmassy. Come to think of it how would it fit in with the Circle theme? As for BBC Two they will probably have a new ident as they had one two years running already. ITV1 will probably reuse last years effort which I thought was a brilliant ident considering they couldn't be bothered in 2006 and 2007. Channel 4 would probably be playing scrooge as usual, they never had any special ident of any kind since introducing the package in 2004 and Five would probably have new idents too.

11-11-2009, 22:45	#22
hopeandfaith06 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Penrith, Cumbria Services: www.itvgallery.co.uk www.twitter.com/tomo359 Posts: 12,658	I don't understand Channel 4. Last year and previous years, did they even have christmas themes promos and endcaps etc? Even digital channels like ITV2 and BBC3 could manage that. I'm sure Five will have new xmas idents again as lately they seem to make a new idents (now all program specific) every week (it is a bit weird when Neighbour's ident comes on before The Wright Stuff though)

12-11-2009, 20:32	#23
marke09 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,231	Why have a Dr Who themed ident this year its not as if its new they should have had that bac kin 2005 when it came back and was featured on the front of the Christmas Radio Times - last year Wallace and Gromit wasa the first new film for years and they showed the feature film.

12-11-2009, 20:35	#24
bbbnbbb Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 77	I would hate having a Doctor Who christmas ident. The ident should reflect christmas more than a TV show on during Christmas. I think it would be like if they show all the ones they had so far plus a new one, maybe with Santa or something!

12-11-2009, 23:17	#25
CheekyTV Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: C U Next Tuesday Club Services: V+ Broadband Posts: 3,204	The idea of having Doctor Who in the BBC1 ident fills me with dread...unless they have made an ident that's adaptable one with the Doctor Who and more with out!