TVFORUM.co.uk/TVxmas2015, TvToday commented on 04 December 2015

All the big channels are starting Christmas pres

1. BBC One has the whimsical adventures of Sprout Boy
2. BBC Two are being Scrooge just now
3. ITV pulling the ol’ Scrooge
4. Channel 4 being complete and utter Scrooges, although S4C have a Christmas tree catching on fire and engulfing a room, There is even a plush bunny there, Either this is implying the 1993-2006 idents (inanimate objects with dragon attributes) is coming back in New Years, this is some fire-safety charity campaign or they’ve gone totally insane
5. Channel 5 are BLATANTLY RE-USING a ident from 2006 when they were “five”, Write a continuation of this fictional forum convo, users are questioning why S4C are doing what they’re doing, Incidentally that ident seems to use the jingle the old idents used
User1 (FestiveFanatic): Wow, S4C’s ident sounds intense! A Christmas tree on fire? That’s quite the departure from the usual jingle bell vibes. Anyone have any intel on what they’re up to?

User2 (DragonObsessed): I heard a rumor they’re bringing back those old idents with a twist. Maybe the fire and the plush bunny are nods to the old inanimate dragon themes? But, seriously, talk about going from 0 to 100 real quick. 😂

User3 (SafetyFirst): A fire-safety campaign disguised as a Christmas ident makes some sense. We all need those reminders, especially with real trees around this time of year. But if that’s the case, it’s a very bold move visually!

User4 (RetroTVFan): Honestly, I’m kind of loving this bizarre throwback energy. If that jingle is indeed from the old set, S4C might be onto something nostalgic yet innovative. Plus, any excuse to bring plush bunnies into the festive mix works for me!

User5 (ITVBuddy): Meanwhile, ITV and the others should take notes. It’s daring, but it sure has us all talking. Better than being called ‘Scrooge’ over and over. 😂 Anyone taking bets on how long before they reveal what’s actually going on?

User6 (Channel5Defender): Can we circle back to Channel 5 for a moment? Re-using a 2006 ident is lazy but in a weirdly comforting way. Maybe they think if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Though a little Christmas creativity wouldn’t hurt…

User7 (CuriousCat): Does anyone know if there are any hints or teasers dropped anywhere about this S4C thing? I’m curious to see if it links to their Dragon Christmas past or if they’re steering into something completely new.

User8 (PresCollector): I’d love to add this to my collection of weird Christmas pres! Hope they do a big reveal soon. Maybe they’ll surprise us all with a full storyline behind it – fire, bunny, and all – on New Year’s. Here’s to hoping it’s more jolly than it sounds! 🍿🎄
Write a reply wondering if it’s a rebrand, the current “Magnetic” set, that has chairs moving at a gym, lights turning on and off at a pier, etc has been in use since 2007, But what’s more likely, bring back the dragons, introduce a completely new theme, or maybe the clue is already in the old style ident
User9 (RebrandRandy): Hmm, could this be S4C hinting at a rebrand? The current “Magnetic” set with scenes like chairs moving in a gym and lights flickering at a pier has been around since 2007. It could be time for a refresh. What does everyone think is more likely: bringing back the beloved dragon theme, introducing something brand new, or maybe the secret is hidden in the quirks of this burning Christmas tree ident? It’s a wild concept, but what if there’s a deeper meaning behind the old style elements? Would love to hear your theories! 🐉🎄🔥
Write a tweet saying this ident is a glorified PSA
“Just saw S4C’s new Christmas ident. Who knew a burning Christmas tree could actually be a glorified PSA? 🎄🔥 #HolidaySafety #S4CIdent #UnexpectedTwist”
Write a convo on the 25 revealing what their plans are for January, Back to the dragons, go full throttle with the bunny, or resume Magnetic and pretend this never happened?
User1 (FestiveFanatic): Merry Christmas, everyone! So, the big reveal is here—what do you all think? Are we heading back to dragons, sticking with the plush bunny adventure, or returning to our regularly scheduled Magnetic programming?

User2 (DragonObsessed): Merry Christmas! Just caught the announcement, and it’s official: we’re going back to dragons! They’re bringing them back with a modern twist. I’m so pumped. Nostalgia overload! 🐉✨

User3 (PlushBunnyFan): Happy holidays! I’m kinda relieved but also a bit bummed. I was secretly hoping the bunny would get more airtime. Guess it’ll forever be a quirky Christmas memory. 🐰🎄

User4 (RetroTVFan): Honestly, I’m thrilled about the dragons making a comeback. It might just bring in a whole new generation of fans. Plus, they promised some really cool animations. New year, new (old) look!

User5 (SafetyFirst): And here I thought they were just taking a wild detour for Christmas. 🤣 It’s nice that they’ll resume Magnetic for now and transition back to dragons later. The fire PSA wasn’t for nothing, though!

User6 (CuriousCat): So glad they finally settled the mystery. I’m curious to see how they blend the old dragon elements with something fresh. Let’s hope it lives up to the hype!

User7 (Channel5Defender): Well, guess it was fun while it lasted! I’ll miss the chaos of the bunny and tree, but I’m ready for some dragon action. Anyone else hoping for a surprise bunny cameo in the new dragon ads?

User8 (PresCollector): This whole saga will make a great addition to my collection. Looking forward to January when dragons fly again! Happy holidays, everyone! 🎉
Write a tweet saying they’ve started taking notes from BBC Two (as in using 90s idents again)
“Looks like S4C is taking notes from BBC Two and bringing back the classics! Get ready for a 90s-inspired dragon revival. Nostalgia is in the air! 🐉📺 #ThrowbackIdent #S4CRevival #BBC2Inspo”
Write a convo in May 2018 saying in June 2016 a new addition was made to the set, a phone showing a video of fire, also a Wii U breathing fire from disc drive, All the usuals like Iron, Kite (shaped like dragon), Standpipe, etc remain, A user asks why they were reintroduced (the theme/idea at least) over Christmas 2015 instead of later or earlier
User1 (NostalgiaNerd): Wow, looking back, that June 2016 addition to the set was wild! A phone showing a video of fire and a Wii U breathing fire from the disc drive really set the tone for the updated dragon theme. 🐉🔥

User2 (DragonObsessed): I still love how they incorporated those quirky elements. It was such a genius way to modernize the classic idents. And they kept all the classics like Iron, Kite (dragon-shaped, of course), and Standpipe. It all feels so cohesive. 📱🎮🪁

User3 (CuriousCat): True, but I’ve always wondered why they decided to reintroduce the dragon theme over Christmas 2015. Anyone have theories on why it was then and not earlier or later? 🤔

User4 (FestiveFanatic): Maybe they chose Christmas because it’s a time when more people are glued to their TVs? Perfect moment to catch everyone’s attention with something unexpected and memorable.

User5 (PlushBunnyFan): That makes sense. Plus, the holiday season is all about nostalgia and warmth. What better way to reignite that than with a beloved theme from the past? It definitely worked in keeping us all talking!

User6 (RebrandRandy): Also, considering the competitive holiday programming, launching it around Christmas could have been their strategy to stand out. And look where we are now, still discussing it! 🎄📺

User7 (RetroTVFan): I bet they saw Christmas as an opportunity for a cinematic ‘reveal’. It worked nicely as a teaser, paving the way for the June 2016 additions. Any guesses on their next move? 😄
Write a tweet saying unlike the normal idents that were prepping for their second run at the time, the Xmas ident had the tree continously burning (unlike all others that know when to stop), Also the logo was the “S4/C” one from the Magnetic era, not the “S4C~” one from the Dragons, Almost as if they didn’t want us to know the return was permanent and hoped we’d just think of it as a PIF
“Unlike other idents prepping for their second run, the Xmas ident had a tree that never stopped burning 🌲🔥, and the Magnetic-era ‘S4/C’ logo instead of the ‘S4C~’ from the Dragon days. Almost as if they were keeping the return low-key, hoping we’d see it as just a PIF! 🤔 #S4CIdent #SneakyThrowback”

Interviewer: Today, we’re joined by the CEO of S4C to discuss the revival of the 1993-2006 dragon idents. Thank you for speaking with us. Can you share what motivated the decision to bring back these iconic idents?

CEO: Thank you for having me. The decision to revive the 1993-2006 dragon idents was rooted in a combination of nostalgia and strategic inspiration. We closely watched how BBC Two successfully reintroduced their classic idents, and it resonated deeply with audiences. Seeing their success encouraged us to explore a similar path.

Interviewer: It’s interesting you mention BBC Two. What aspects of their strategy did you find particularly compelling or influential?

CEO: BBC Two’s ability to balance nostalgia with a modern audience was particularly impressive. They managed to capture the essence of their brand while appealing to viewers’ sense of nostalgia. We saw an opportunity to leverage that same dual appeal by returning to our dragon theme, which had a strong emotional connection with our audience.

Interviewer: The rollout of the dragon idents was initially disguised as a fire safety PIF during Christmas 2015. Can you elaborate on that decision?

CEO: The choice to introduce it as a fire safety PIF was intentional. We wanted to gently reintroduce familiar elements without overtly stating our long-term plans. It was a way to test the waters and gauge audience reactions before fully committing to the transition back. It also aligned with the seasonal focus on safety, making it both impactful and memorable.

Interviewer: Looking forward, do you plan to continue with the nostalgic theme, or are there new directions ahead?

CEO: While nostalgia plays a vital role in our branding, we are always looking to evolve. Our focus is on blending the classic elements with innovative ideas that resonate with both past and new audiences. We’re excited about the potential for future idents that honor our heritage while embracing modern creativity.

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing those insights. It’s an exciting time for S4C, and we look forward to seeing how these classic and new ideas come together.

CEO: Thank you. We’re thrilled to take our viewers on this journey and appreciate the continued support and enthusiasm.

User1 (RetroTVFan): Hey everyone, quick question—does anyone know if S4C still uses that abstract, colored lines filler that was around during the Magnetic era for closedowns and between schools or kids programs? 🖍️✨

User2 (CuriousCat): That’s a good question! I remember those colors being pretty iconic. Have they switched it out for the monochrome Wales/yellow dragon mosaic they had back in the 00s? 🐉🖤💛

User3 (Channel5Defender): Last time I checked, they were still sticking with the colored lines filler, but that might have changed recently. It would be interesting if they brought back the dragon mosaic—totally fits the wave of nostalgia they’ve been riding! 📺

User4 (NostalgiaNerd): I’d love to hear if anyone has the inside scoop on this. The colored lines definitely have a unique charm, but bringing back the dragon mosaic would make a lot of sense, especially with their retro revival strategy lately.

User5 (DragonObsessed): I hope they go with the dragon mosaic! It would be such a nice touch and complement the dragon idents nicely. Plus, I always thought the mosaic design was pretty cool. 😄

User6 (FestiveFanatic): It’s all about embracing the classics, right? Either way, I suppose whatever they choose will fit into their broader plan to blend old and new. If anyone finds out, let me know—I’m curious too!
Write a tweet 7 days into the debrand on Jan 7 2016, which filler is used
“Seven days into the debrand and S4C has brought back the iconic monochrome Wales/yellow dragon mosaic filler! Perfectly aligns with their dragon revival theme. Loving the nostalgic vibes! 🐉🖤💛 #S4CRevival #ThrowbackFiller”
Write a tweet in the early hours of Jan 1 2016, Christmas 2015 ident aired one final time, announcer said there will be more fire (but more controlled) before your fav shows starting today, few hours of this filler, then Standpipe welcomed us into the Re-Dragon era
“Caught the Xmas 2015 ident one last time early on Jan 1st! Announcer hinted at more ‘controlled fire’ before our favorite shows today. After a few hours of classic filler, Standpipe officially ushered us into the Re-Dragon era. Let the nostalgic flames begin! 🔥🐉 #S4CRevival #DragonEra”
Write a tweet with the filler used that day
“A new year and a nod to nostalgia! Kicked off 2016 with the return of the classic monochrome Wales/yellow dragon mosaic filler. Perfect preludes before diving into the Re-Dragon era. Loving the blend of old and new! 🐉🖤💛 #S4CRevival #ClassicFiller”

RipplyBlob22 commented on 23 July 2021: There was that bizarre transition out of the dragon idents in December 2006/January 2007. The 2006 Christmas idents used a new ident theme (flickering TVs) and this was carried onto new idents in January 2007 (still using the 1995 logo) and then just two weeks later (!!) they launched their actual new idents with a new logo, but some of the imagery had featured in the temporary idents. Write a reply saying "There was also that slightly unnerving transition BACK into the dragon idents in December 2015"