BBC One 'Oneness' idents


The BBC One 'Oneness' idents are a set of on-screen channel identities used on BBC One from 1 January 2017 to present. The idents feature groups of people doing activities in everyday life, with the aim of the showing them coming together in these various ways. The logo is now placed at the bottom of the screen instead of the middle for the first time since 2002.

Launch

Street photographer Martin Parr was commissioned by BBC One to create the idents. The 'Oneness' theme had first been exhibited the previous Christmas for the channel's identity, hence giving the impression that those idents ultimately served as a preview to the new look that made its full launch on New Year's Day 2017. Around 24 idents are expected to be filmed, which will be gradually introduced one by one over the course of the first year. More idents are expected to be produced throughout 2018.
This is the first set of idents that have been produced with the input of BBC Creative, a new in house creative agency responsible for BBC presentation.

Components of look

Each ident begins with a tagline showing who the people are and what they are doing, and the location of where the ident is filmed. At the bottom of the screen, the word 'Oneness' is drawn up before fading into the BBC One logo. Programme trailers retain the same look and design of the previous 'Circle' era, except the endboards now consist of a plain red background as opposed to a one with a circular design as before. Some of the idents also seem to have been inspired/echo the themes of the past 'Rhythm and Movement' ones from before the 'Circle' Era. End credits promotional material is changed.

Idents

TitleAir datesDescription
Exercise Class, Avonmouth 1 January – 25 April 2017A group of people are performing a dance workout routine. Filmed in Avonmouth. This was the first ident of the new look to be used at 01:00 on 1 January 2017. Removed after a few months due to initial poor reception.
Sea Swimmers, Clevedon 1 January – 2 July 2017A group of people are walking in and back out of the sea. Filmed in Clevedon. Initially used for the BBC News before the introduction of more suitable idents. Removed after a few months due to initial poor reception - however, version 2 of the ident appeared before Sunday Politics on 2 July 2017.
Mountain Rescue Volunteers, Brecon Beacons 9 January 2017 – presentA mountain rescue team and their dog are walking down from a 4x4 emergency vehicle in a wintry forest. Filmed in the Brecon Beacons. Commonly used to introduce serious programming, along with the BBC News and overnight simulcasts of BBC News Channel
Wheelchair Rugby Team, Llantrisant 11 January 2017 – presentA team of wheelchair rugby players. Filmed in Llantrisant. Usually used to introduce sporting programmes. Also used in entertainment and comedy programmes, but nowadays used for serious programming and the BBC News.
Forest15 January 2017 – presentA still forest with no people in sight. Used for BBC News and sombre/emergency situations. This ident lacks the 'oneness' animation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this ident has been used to introduce information and safety adverts from the government in between programmes.
Skaters, Southwark11 March 2017 – presentA group of skaters skate around a dance hall. Filmed in Southwark. Often used to introduce daytime programmes, entertainment programmes and comedy programmes.
Birdwatchers, Rainham Marshes 11 March 2017 – presentA group of birdwatchers stand in a field, looking at offscreen birds with their binoculars and commenting on them. Filmed in the Rainham Marshes. Primarily used for serious programming and the BBC News - both their main bulletins and overnight simulcasts.
Cavers, Wemyss1 April 2017 – presentA group of modern cavers with headlamps are going underground inside the cave. Filmed in Wemyss. Often used to introduce the menagerie of drama based programmes, BBC Three programmes and serious shows.
Bhangra, Edinburgh New Town3 April 2017 – presentA group of bhangra dancers dance to Indian music. Filmed in Edinburgh New Town. Primarily used for comedy programming, films and entertainment shows.
Tandem Cyclists, Belfast10 May 2017 – presentA group of tandem cyclists look at the camera and then cycle off. Filmed in Belfast. Occasionally used to introduce a wide variety of programmes including the BBC News - both their main bulletins and overnight simulcasts.
Night Kayakers, Killyleagh10 May 2017 – presentA group of kayakers paddle in the water during the nighttime. Filmed in Killyleagh. Often used for serious programming, programmes from BBC Three, drama shows and the BBC News - both their main bulletins and overnight simulcasts.
A version was aired before the Doctor Who tenth series finale, The Doctor Falls, with a Cyberman interrupting the continuity announcer, upgrading him and taking over to read the announcement.
Allotment Holders, Smethwick7 June 2017 – presentA group of allotment holders tend to the ground and then pose to the camera. FIlmed in Smethwick. Used for a wide variety of programmes, along with overnight simulcasts of the BBC News Channel.
Bog Snorkellers, Llanwrtyd Wells 7 June 2017 – presentFive Bog Snorkellers in various costumes. In one ident there are preparing to enter the bog, while in the other they emerge. Filmed in Llanwrtyd Wells. Used for the likes of entertainment, comedy and live shows.
Boxers, Digbeth7 June 2017 – presentA group of boxers pose for the camera and then start an exercise session. Filmed in Digbeth. Occasionally used for a range of programmes, as well as sport programming.
Banger Racers, St Brides7 June 2017 – presentA group of racers pose through the open windows of their cars, while a race takes place in the background. Filmed in St Brides. Often used to introduce drama shows, sport programmes and primetime shows.
Ten Pin Bowlers, Hockley22 July 2017 – presentA group of ten pin bowlers are ready and waiting to knock down some skittles by using a ten pin bowl. Filmed in Hockley. Frequently used for entertainment, comedy shows and live shows.
Fell Runners, Mourne Mountains4 August 2017 – presentA group of runners come to a stop at a group of rocks, and decide where to go next. Filmed in the Mourne Mountains. Used for the likes of daytime, primetime programmes, drama shows and fairly serious programmes.
Llama Trekkers, Armagh4 August 2017 – presentA group of young people walk through a gate with three llamas. Filmed in Armagh. Often used to introduce a wide array of daily based programmes, along with overnight simulcasts of the BBC News Channel.
Drone Racers, Nottingham1 January 2018 – presentA group of young people play around with their drones. Filmed in Nottingham. Frequently used to introduce entertainment, reality and comedy programmes. Originally filmed in August 2017, but was held back from being shown until the New Year.
Wild Campers, Glencoe1 January 2018 – presentA group of young people come out of their tents. Filmed in Glencoe. Used for the likes of drama, serious programmes and everyday programmes. Originally filmed in August 2017, but was held back from being shown until the New Year.
Under 7 Footballers, Barnet 15 June 2018 – presentA team of under 7 footballers participate in a training session. Filmed in Barnet. First shown to tie in with the start of BBC's coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but usually used for sporting programmes.
Sausage Dog Walkers, Newcastle upon Tyne14 July 2018 – presentA group of people with sausage dogs are walking in the seaside park outside the bridge in the background, whilst sausage dogs are barking and yapping to help them to fetch some food. Filmed in Newcastle upon Tyne. Often used to introduce a wide array of programmes, along with BBC News.
Cheerleaders, Manchester14 July 2018 – presentA group of cheerleaders dance to hip hop/electropop music. Filmed in Manchester. Used for a menagerie of programmes, as well as entertainment programming.
Taekwondo Club, Trafford14 July 2018 – presentA group of 9 children performs taekwondo martial arts movements during the training session with 2 supporters watch and learn. Filmed in Trafford. Frequently used for sporting programmes, primetime shows and entertainment programmes, along with BBC News.
Swing Dancers, County Durham14 July 2018 – presentA group of 12 swing dancers dancing in a variety of styles. Filmed in Crook, County Durham. Primarily used for a wide range of programmes, also introduced to coincide the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Volunteer Lifeguards, Exmouth 6 August 2018 – presentNine lifeguards in different surf rescue coats. In one ident there are using surfboards to go back into the sea for surfing, while in the other carry an Inflatable Rescue Boat for the rescue sea mission. Filmed in Exmouth. Often used to introduce a whole number of programmes, along with overnight simulcasts of the BBC News Channel
Steel Pan Band, Plymouth8 August 2018 – presentA group of 12 people in red T-shirts performing Calypso music with steel pan drums. Filmed in Plymouth. Usually used for a selection of all round programmes.

Special idents

2020 UK lockdown idents

On 23 March 2020, the UK was placed into lockdown to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. Following complaints from viewers on social media that the current set of BBC One idents were not good examples of social distancing, BBC One temporarily suspended their normal idents on 1 May 2020 in favour of a special set of idents that adhere towards the current social distancing guidelines. They are expected to remain in use until the UK lockdown is lifted.
TitleAir datesDescription
Tea breaks, Across the UK30 April 2020 – presentCups of tea are being made at various kitchens.
Teammates, Training at Home1 May 2020 – presentPeople kicking a football to one other across different gardens.
Isolation Disco, Neighbours1 May 2020 – presentPeople dancing around to music in their own living rooms.
In Bloom, Across the UK2 May 2020 – presentFlowers blooming all at once. Mainly used to introduce the news.
Capoeira Group Practise, At Home13 May 2020 – presentOriginally Capoeira Group Practice, at Home. People dancing in a Capoeira style, inspired by 2002 Capoeira ident from the 2002 'Rhythm & Movement' set. On the evening of Monday 22nd June, the caption was changed to Capoeira Group Practise, at Home.
Cabaret Cooking, At Home13 May 2020 – presentPeople cooking and eating their Cabaret food.
Knit Club, At Home20 May 2020 – presentPeople are doing knitting in their own dining rooms.
Choir Rehearsal, Across the UK20 May 2020 – presentPeople singing and choirs in a style of melodies.

Christmas idents

Stings