BBC World Service idents over the years

Idents of the BBC Empire Service (up till 1948) followed by the General Overseas Service (till 1980s) including the short time 'oranges and Lemons' ident of the 70s. Afther that is Lilliburlero, the world famous ident of the BBC World Service as played from the 90s till 2008. Finally, the Brand New BBC World Service Theme by David Lowe.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• BBC
• World
• Service
• lilliburlero

[k9rzz]

If you start with idents from the radio, then keep on with idents off the radio, not the internet!

[shriramvenu]

@k9rzz huh? what are you talking about??

[eddiewillers1]

Sheesh! What has happened to national pride?

This is the BBC in Beijing...in Kampala...WTF?

Whatever happened to "This is the British Broadcasting Corporation from London. It is now 12 hours Greenwich Mean Time."

[shriramvenu]

@eddiewillers1 they still say "BBC news from London" (or something like that). gotta understand though the BBC world service has a special place in the heart for many people around the world. i guess the new approach is to embrace the international nature of the channel - bbc world service belongs to the whole world not just britain :)

[pookerville]

Bring back the BBC on Shortwave to North America! Maybe we can get some live shortwave coverage of the English Football Leagues!

[shriramvenu]

short wave is a dying medium in the developed world - low quality has driven down popularity in favour of newer mediums. BBC is available on Sirrus XM and the internet :)

[eddiewillers1]

Dammit! As with everything, they have removed all references to what the BBC is, where it is from and what it stands for.

Whatever happened to "This is London"...

[LeamingtonSteve]

@steverudland you are correct but ALSO it gets EU funding for spreading its propaganda.

[steverudland]

@LeamingtonSteve The BBC is funded by licence fees and sales of commercial programme rights overseas, as any fule kno

[TheUgsmash]

the last one on the track is what i hear every hour at night while im sleeping, I like the radio on for background sound lol

[LeamingtonSteve]

The BBC is unfortunately ashamed to be British these days, so it wipes its history, and doesnt mention Britain unless it has to....

Someone told me its because it gets funding from the European Union so it has a defined mandate to destroy national identity......

[Axmedkoole]

The last themes starting with the peep sounds are very familiar to me. Living in Kenyan refugee camp I can remember my dad listen to it.

[locyfelix]

The thing with "This is London" is that it might have invited envy from certain people who are not fans of Britain. "This is London" had heavy religious overtones, as it conjured up sort of imperial commanding of respect from wherever the service could be received. It was kind of mystical centralising of the spirit to that single place, and that is Britain. Also, the announcer left a few seconds' silence prior to saying that to heighten the devotional mood at the listeners' end. 

[locyfelix]

The announcer usually left a few seconds silence before announcing "This is London". It seems that this commands devotion most effectively, when compared with the war-time signal like "This is London calling". Liliburlero is definitely superior and 100 times more effective than the jingling carillon.

[locyfelix]

Hymn tune again for correction: smfmsmrdrldt, lssdrmrdt, smfmsmrdrldt, lsltdmrldtd.

That's St Clement.

[locyfelix]

dmfmsmrdrlfm, rddfslsfm: As o'er each continent and island The dawn leads on another day, The voice of prayer is never silent, Nor dies the strain of praise away. The sun that bids us rest is waking Our brethren 'neath the western sky, And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous doings heard on high. So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never Like earth's proud empires, pass away; Thy Kingdom stands, and grows for ever, Till all thy creatures own thy sway.