Launch The Computer Originated World replaced the previous
Noddy globe symbols at 7pm on 18 February 1985. Unusually, the new look was unveiled whilst the channel was still on the air rather than waiting for the following morning to launch it. The globe was created by the
BBC graphics and
BBC computer departments and work began in 1983. The need to replace the
Noddy globes came about as the globes were the only mechanically produced idents around on national television, as more and more television companies started to use computer graphics, made popular by the launch of
Channel 4. The COW was originally planned to launch on 1 January 1985, but
Michael Grade, then controller of
BBC1, delayed the launch to coincide with a larger schedule change that accompanied the launch of the soap opera
EastEnders and chat show
Wogan. This launch was hoped to reinvent BBC1 following ratings slide and ever increasing competition from their commercial rivals at
ITV. The globe itself launched at 7pm on 18 February, introducing one of the new flagship programmes:
Wogan, a chat show hosted by
Terry Wogan and featuring a variety of guests. The old
Noddy globe had been used throughout the day until the 7pm launch.
Components of look The Computer Originated World itself is a semi-transparent blue globe with golden continents and gold "BBC1" legend located below the globe in a font similar to that used in the early days of the
BBC. The globe revolved at a steady pace throughout, and had the effect of a spotlight added to the surface. The continents were placed in such a way that the continents appeared to float on the water. The caption had the option of displaying the legend '
Ceefax 170' and later 'Ceefax 888' in reference to the subtitles available with the programme. Regional variations also included a legend with the region name, also in gold, below the BBC1 legend. The globe was generated when needed by the computer programme located in a metal box. This box had switches on the front that could turn the BBC1 caption, regional caption and subtitles caption on and off, as these elements were added later. These generators were delivered to all 11 regions and installed before Christmas 1984. Originally it was planned to be launched on 1 January 1985, but the launch was deferred to coincide with radical changes to the BBC1 schedule. The look also featured an altered
clock face to that used previously. This clock was once again electronic, but was changed to a black background, blue counters and gold hands to match the ident. The updated BBC1 legend also featured below the clock. The nations of
Scotland,
Wales and
Northern Ireland, as well as
BBC Midlands, did receive their own variations of the clock, however it is not believed that any other
English regions received their own variations. The network BBC One clock did not have a centre dot; this was never rectified throughout the run of the clock due to an oversight, however the dot was present on regional variations. Promotions were not uniform, but were based on a seasonal scheme before being replaced. The promotions usually didn't contain any channel branding but would occasionally feature parts of the BBC1 legend in the design.
Regional Idents ==BBC World Service Television==