1999-2000

The BBC's interactive learning channel, BBC Knowledge, launched on 1st June 1999. The original format was aimed at both children and adults - with a bright and brash approach to education. This was reflected by these cartoony-style idents. From left to right: Magnify, Propeller, Designer.

Watch an early BBC Knowledge ident (announcer-less)

An early BBC Knowledge bumper (above left), which usually led into a short 'Share Your Story' feature (above right). These were used in between virtually every programme on BBC Knowledge between June 1999 and April 2000.

Three ultra-cheap and short-lived programmes from the early days of BBC Knowledge: the interactive show for adults, Front Room (left); the interactive show for children, K Club (middle), and the computer and gadgets show, The Kit (right). Click here to see the opening day's schedule.

2000

Having proved a ratings disaster, the original BBC Knowledge format was dumped overnight on 3rd April 2000, and it began to transform instead into a serious documentary and arts channel. But presentation-wise, things started to get rather confusing...

Each weekday now had a specific theme, and new 'themed' idents were introduced for history (Mondays) , science (Tuesdays) and arts (Fridays) - but bizarrely, not for business (Wednesdays) or languages, film and culture (Thursdays); the original 'Magnify' ident continued to be used on these days. It was also used on Saturdays and Sundays, which had no specific theme.

Themed idents for business, and film and culture were introduced later in 2000; the now very incongruous 'Magnify' could now be dropped altogether.

2000-2002

Then, just before Christmas 2000, a new ident was introduced, using the above sequence, which repeats ad infinitum. Initially it was used in conjunction with the themed idents, but this format was dropped early in 2001. This single ident continued in use until the channel's demise in March 2002. Watch a clip

Programme slides were extremely rare on BBC Knowledge - as with the other digital-only channels - but could be seen occasionally, and followed the same layout as BBC1 and BBC2 slides of the time.

Again following the standard generic style, BBC Knowledge trailers - however unlike the other channels, after Autumn 2001 the channel logotype appeared with the programme title and time at the end rather than remaining throughout the trailer. No, I've no idea who Terry Eagleton is either.

Left: a menu from the end of a trailer. Right: an animated 'next' caption, based on the ident.

Finally, after nearly three years on air, BBC Knowledge closed down for the final time in the early hours of Saturday 2nd March 2002, becoming the first BBC channel in the UK ever to close. (Watch the final closedown here ). However, it was replaced that very evening by a brand new channel - BBC4...