The BBC One "Oneness" idents were a set of on-screen channel identities used on BBC One from December 2016 until April 2022; soft launched with the channel's Christmas presentation, and officially launched on 1 January 2017, the idents largely featured scenes of people performing everyday activities across various locations in the United Kingdom. The idents were developed by BBC Creative in collaboration with photographer Martin Parr.
The ident package was initially retained following the corporate rebrand of the BBC on 20 October 2021, with the 2021 BBC logo being placed at the top of the screen, while "ONE" remained at the bottom, with the font being changed to BBC Reith Sans. The idents remained in this state for nearly 6 months, before being retired from use at 6pm on 1 April 2022, when the 'Lens' idents debuted.
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 were filmed, and were introduced throughout the year. More idents were introduced 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 began 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" was drawn up before fading into the BBC One logo. Programme trailers retained 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 seemed to have been inspired/echo the themes of the past 'Rhythm & Movement' ones from before the "Circle" Era. End credits promotional material is changed. The idents were also played without voiceovers, the BBC One logo and the activity and location during regional news-opts on BBC One HD, as regional news programmes are not available on BBC One HD for financial and technical reasons.
Following the replacement of the normal idents during the COVID-19 pandemic from May 2020 to July 2021, most of the Oneness idents were retired (except Bog Snorkellers, Llanwrtyd Wells, Llama Trekkers, Armagh and Mountain Rescue Volunteers, and Brecon Beacons, which were removed following the corporate rebrand of BBC in October 2021). The ones that remained were then modified to suit the new transition devices which were concurrently introduced, with the "Oneness" logo being retired, and the new BBC One logo being split between the top- and bottom-centre of the screen. The English region name below the "ONE" logo was removed, although the nations (Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) continued having the nation name in every ident before every programme.
Original set (2017–2020; 2021–2022) Title Air dates Description Exercise Class, Avonmouth (2 versions) 1 January – 25 April 2017 A group of people are performing a dance workout routine. 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 (2 versions) 1 January – 2 July 2017 A group of people are walking in and back out of the sea. 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 (2 versions) 9 January 2017 – 18 October 2021 A mountain rescue team and their dog are walking down from a 4x4 emergency vehicle in a wintry forest. Commonly used to introduce serious programming, along with the BBC News and overnight simulcasts of BBC News Channel. Both idents were withdrawn from the line-up in 2021, when the BBC corporate logo was revamped. Wheelchair Rugby Team, Llantrisant (3 versions) 11 January 2017 – 1 May 2020 A team of wheelchair rugby players. Usually used to introduce sporting programmes. Also used in entertainment and comedy programmes, but nowadays used for serious programming and the BBC News. This ident was withdrawn from the line-up in 2020, when the BBC temporally replaced the normal idents with the lockdown ones. Forest 15 January 2017 – 1 May 2020 A still forest with no people in sight. Thought to be filmed in the Brecon Beacons, the same location as the Mountain Rescue idents. Used for BBC News and sombre/emergency situations. This ident lacks the "oneness" animation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this ident was used to introduce information and safety adverts from the government in between programmes. This ident was withdrawn from the line-up in 2020, when the BBC temporally replaced the normal idents with the lockdown ones. Skaters, Southwark 11 March 2017 – 27 April 2020 A group of skaters skate around a dance hall. Often used to introduce daytime programmes, entertainment programmes and comedy programmes. This ident was withdrawn from the line-up in 2020, when the BBC temporally replaced the normal idents with the lockdown ones. Birdwatchers, Rainham Marshes (2 versions) 11 March 2017 – 1 April 2022 A group of birdwatchers stand in a field, looking at offscreen birds with their binoculars and commenting on them. Primarily used for serious programming and the BBC News - both their main bulletins and overnight simulcasts. Version 1 of the ident was withdrawn from the line-up in 2021, when the BBC corporate logo was revamped. Cavers, Wemyss 1 April 2017 – 26 April 2020 A group of modern cavers with headlamps are going underground inside the cave. Often used to introduce the menagerie of drama based programmes, BBC Three programmes and serious shows. This ident was withdrawn from the line-up in 2020, when the BBC temporally replaced the normal idents with the lockdown ones. Bhangra Dancers, Edinburgh New Town 3 April 2017 – 28 April 2020 A group of bhangra dancers dance to Indian music. Primarily used for comedy programming, films and entertainment shows. This ident was withdrawn from the line-up in 2020, when the BBC temporally replaced the normal idents with the lockdown ones. Tandem Cyclists, Belfast 10 May 2017 – 1 April 2022 A group of tandem cyclists look at the camera and then cycle off. Occasionally used to introduce a wide variety of programmes including the BBC News - both their main bulletins and overnight simulcasts. Night Kayakers, Killyleagh 10 May 2017 – 31 March 2022 A group of kayakers paddle in the water during the nighttime. Often used for serious programming, programmes from BBC Three, drama shows and the BBC News - both their main bulletins and overnight simulcasts.