2003-08: page 1 2003-08: page 2 2008-date

2008-date

The blobs, probably BBC3's most popular feature, just made it to the channel's fifth birthday - but they met their demise only three days later.

BBC3's revamp of 12th February 2008 (oddly, a Tuesday) was much more than a case of simply introducing a new set of graphics, however - this was an ambitious and, most would agree, much-needed relaunch of the channel. Along with a raft of new programming, controller Danny Cohen aims to make BBC3 the UK's first multi-platform channel, combining television, internet and mobile devices. All programmes are now simulcast on the web, while BBC3 also started pushing 'user-generated content' - for example, the channel is asking viewers to become continuity announcers!

BBC3 now uses a variety of forms of continuity. First of all, there are traditional idents, voiced by Lola Buckley who has been announcing on BBC Choice and BBC3 since 2000. They feature a redesigned logo which fills with pink liquid:

In-vision continuity also features on the new BBC3...

...with announcer Jose Vanders in a CSO studio (left), as well as the aforementioned viewer-submitted links (right).

Now/next/later menus (above) continue to be used at certain times too.

All in all, a decidedly baffling array of continuity styles!

Pink liquid also runs through the stings which appear during junctions:

Other stings are based around shortened versions of the idents.

Emphasising the fact that this was a 'relaunch' rather than a mere 'rebrand', trailers using the new logo and graphics began to appear promoting upcoming programmes on the new BBC3 in early January 2008.

Above: the new-style trailer endboards.

Above: a slide accompanying a warning that the following programme contains strong language...

BBC3's busy junctions also include viewers (left) and actors from BBC3 shows (right) popping up with brief links.

Above: the new version of the dreaded end credit promotion (ECP), conforming to the standard BBC style.

You will notice that all of BBC3's new graphics have a particularly 'pink' flavour. Unfortunately, this even extends to the channel DOG...

The DOG was made a little more transparent a couple of weeks after the relaunch, but remains just as intrusive.

2003-08: page 1 2003-08: page 2 2008-date