BBC Studios unlocks iconic design archive with new platform, BBC Playback

Today, the BBC has unlocked a treasure trove of visual history with a new platform that showcases its iconic graphic design archive. Titled BBC Playback, the creative initiative—led by the BBC Studios' brands and licensing team—spotlights some of the most memorable logos and visual elements that have shaped television and radio over the decades.

For instance, for those who fondly remember the futuristic vision of Tomorrow's World in the 1980s or the vibrant energy of Live & Kicking on a 1990s Saturday morning, BBC Playback is set to bring back those cherished memories. It is a visual time capsule illustrating how the BBC's design language has evolved alongside its programming.

Among the highlights is the analogue test card, a familiar sight that once signalled the end of nightly broadcasting. (Yes, that's right. We didn't have 24/7 back then.) Then there's BBC Ceefax, the world's first text-based information service, which transformed how we accessed news, weather, and TV schedules—or even booked holidays with just a few taps of the remote ("Booked it, packed it...").

Launched in 1974, Ceefax was indeed a game-changer, pioneering real-time updates long before the internet became mainstream. Though it was discontinued in 2012 due to the digital switchover, it remains a nostalgic touchstone for many.

Radio lovers will also enjoy a trip down memory lane with the original 1978 Radio 1 logo, marking the station's transition to FM frequencies. Design aficionados can marvel at BBC 2's 1980s 3D ident—one of the first computer-generated logos on television.

As Andrew Carley from BBC Studios puts it, "These designs tap into the current trend for retro fashion." With nostalgia running high and technology reshaping the creative industry, BBC Playback arrives at the perfect moment. It celebrates the BBC's graphic design heritage while allowing licensing opportunities for third parties to create merchandise. You could say it reminds us of the profound impact these visuals have on culture today.

BBC Playback officially launches on 24 September at the Brand Licensing Europe show at London's Excel, offering a sneak preview into this visual journey through BBC's past. It's a chance for fans to reconnect with the logos and designs that once filled their screens, reflecting on how far both technology and design have come.