Is this the greatest news title sequence of all time? It was controversial at the time, but I love it.
The strikingly bold transmitter logo was designed by Martin Lambie-Nairn, who is arguably the most important person in television idents history. He is the person behind some of the most popular idents of all time, including the original Channel 4 blocks and the ‘2’ figures for BBC Two.
But this BBC News logo appeared to be a misfire. It was unpopular with viewers, some of whom even likened the logo to Nazi imagery.
But I think the logo looks fantastic and ahead of its time. The music is brilliant too.
This title sequence was introduced in 1988, although the clip is from 1991.
It is a bit like the Nazi SS insignia I suppose but what it reminds me of most strongly is the RKO Radio Pictures ident from the 1930s and 40s films which used to be on seemingly endless rerun on the TV when I was young but which they don’t show now because they were made in black and white.