[Jonny]

On reflection, the 2000 set really were a brilliant refresh of the look, and really deserved to anchor the channel's continuity for longer than the initial one-year-stint they were granted.

If you dig out one of Martin Lambie-Nairn's talks on the subject of the 2001 rebrand, the rationale for it was that the existing idents had gradually become out of step with the channel's programming, which at that time was attempting to skew younger.

The phrase he used was "idents set in arts-world suddenly didn't make sense". I never really understood this comment, as it seemed to totally disregard the evolution of the set across the decade. By 2000, only 4 of the original 1991 "arts-world" idents were still in use.

Perhaps a more likely explanation for the rebrand is that the channel controller appointed around that time simply wanted to make their mark.

I would agree the 2000 set was a brilliant update and the perfect balance of light and shade. I have no doubt had the 2001 rebrand not occured, the set could have continued evolving indefinitely.

The yellow 2s went all in on the cutesy, humourous side of the idents, hampered by an unnecessarily restrictive format.

The 2007 set then overcorrected for this. While technically well executed bits of film, they lacked the wit, energy and personality the channel's presentation had become known for.

The 2018 curves finally recaptured the winning formula, splendidly evoking the spirit and moods of the 1991-2001 idents in a modern way.