[VMPhil]

I read somewhere that part of it was because of the transition between 4:3 and 16:9 and the blocks being in the proper shape would show that something was going out properly. Not that there weren't some shows which had the logo in the wrong aspect ratio, and of course that switch is long over, by 20-odd years.

I remember bringing up this point on TVF and being told that probably wasn’t the case because there were other ways of making sure the aspect ratio was correct.

I’ve always liked it as it is a great way of saying this is a programme funded by your licence fee - and a great way internationally to “brand” the programme as a BBC one.

Regarding this kind of usage being stopped - there were rumours that it was going to stop when the new logo was introduced, but this hasn’t been the case. It has always been the case that not every programme complies with it - it’s probably in the requirements but no-one enforces it if it’s not there.