BBC Three becomes BBC II!

BBC Three has unveiled its new logo today, which consists of Roman numerals with the third stroke turned into an exclamation mark. If it looks vaguely familiar, that’s because the BBC’s self-parodic sitcom W1A.

The two bars and exclamation mark featured on the logo are intended to represent the three principles that underlie the channel, according to Carr. The first is to make viewers think, the second is to make viewers laugh and the exclamation mark is designed to refer to giving young people a voice. The visual identity will appear across BBC Three’s TV channel, iPlayer and apps.

In describing the purpose of the logo, Nikki Carr also referenced W1A, the comedy TV series about rebranding the BBC.
She said: “Thanks to W1A, we’re cursed at the BBC when it comes to marketing and I don’t want to come across all Siobhan Sharpe but forgive me some lingo.

“The visual identity brings new BBC Three together – a new logo, new idents, new animations and new on screen presentation, all with a new colour palette. This visual identity will underpin what we do in the future.”

Nikki Carr, Head of Marketing for BBC Three, who has pre-empted criticism of the new logo in a BBC Blog. She said:

“What is most striking is the new logo and fact it doesn’t actually say three. It’s easy to belittle the importance a logo has in supporting a brand, and I’m sure the usual critics will have their say – “It looks like Adidas”, “It looks like a hamburger menu icon”, “it doesn’t even say three”, “are they Roman numerals” – but if I’m honest I’m not worried.”
BBC Three is reported to be moving online only on Tuesday 16th February 2016.