BBC Three is launched

"Three is a magic number" - The channel's animated blob idents were used from its launch 2003 to 2008, featuring audio from the BBC Sound Archive. They were created by Aardman Animations and Lambie-Nairn.

BBC Three launched as a digital television channel on 9 February 2003. It began with a two hour simulcast with BBC Two, where terrestrial viewers were introduced to Little Britain, music show Re:covered and Johnny Vaughan Tonight. BBC Three aimed to cater for 24-35 year old, but its target audience got younger over time. Its aim was to innovative and produce award winning programmes, but not without generating some controversy along the way.

Among the headline grabbers - like Snog, Marry, Avoid? and Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents - were hits such as Don't Tell the Bride. BBC Three nurtured a list of comedies including The Mighty Boosh, Gavin and Stacey, Nighty Night and People Just Do Nothing. Documentary series such as Our War allowed the British troops fighting in Afghanistan to tell their own stories.

Many viewers felt the approach was immersive and compelling. The channel united Russell T Davies and David Tennant for the drama Casanova, which eventually led to his casting as Doctor Who. Other BBC Three dramas included Murdered by My Boyfriend, Being Human and In the Flesh.

BBC Three made history in February 2016 when it became online-only, in line with the changing habits of its viewers. Both versions of BBC Three have been home to cutting edge programmes that often reach beyond its core audience.