The Evolution of the NBC Logo

The National Broadcasting Company, is an American television network which was formed in 1926. NBC was the first major broadcast network in the United States and is available in an estimated 112M households.

Since launching in 1926 NBC, has had it’s fair share of logo designs starting with it first in 1942, sixteen years after officially launching.

Original Design: 1942 – 1954

This would be NBC’s first official logo to be shown on television. A microphone surrounded by lightning bolts and waves was a modification of an existing logo used by the NBC radio network.

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Second Design: 1954 – 1959

January 1 of 1954 NBC would reveal their latest logo. A stylized xylophone and mallet accompanied by the three-tone NBC chime anyone would recognize.

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Third Design: 1956 – 1961

John J. Graham created this pecock which made its first on-air appearance on May 22, 1956. On September 7, 1957, the peacock was animated and appeared at the start of NBC’s color broadcasts.

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Fourth Design: 1959 – 1975

Known as the “NBC snake”, this animated logo joined the Peacock, appearing at the end of broadcasts. Several variations of this logo were used.

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Fifth Design: 1975 – 1979

Consisting of two trapezoids, NBC’s visual trademark was updated with a stylized N. NBC paid $6 million dollars for the creation of this logo. What were they thinking?

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Sixth Design: 1979 – 1989

The Peacock returns to join with the N, but changes to the Peacock were executed. The teardrop tips and feet are removed and the Peacock’s body becomes a triangular shape.

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Seventh Design: 1986 – Present

On May 12, 1986, NBC stars of past and present stood on stage to introduce the new logo to America. The Peacock official took it’s crown and rest is history.

Watch this video found on YouTube to see this NBC logo used on television.

Facts About NBC’s Present Logo

1986: The feathers of the Peacock represented the divisions of NBC at that time: News, Sports, Entertainment, Stations, Network and Productions.

1987: All NBC affiliates use the current Peacock design in their logo.

1993: Logo appears has a “television bug” but only at the start of a program.

2004: If a program is shown in widescreen, the logo would be shrunk and placed in the picture instead of the black bars.

2006: NBC programming moved their variation of the NBC logo to the left corner of the screen and the text “NBC” would be removed.

2008: The NBC television bug seen on HDTV programming was moved from the left corner of the screen to the left side of the 4:3 safe aspect ratio area.

Final Thoughts

Seeing how NBC’s logo has changed over the years is pretty interesting. They have had both visual and just plain typography designs. The present design is by far my favorite of the bunch. When I read the fact about NBC affiliate’s using the peacock in their design you should know that this is not true (at least not anymore). My local station doesn’t incorporate the Peacock, however they do use it for other effects.

So to end this topic I ask you, my visitors, if NBC was to redesign their logo what do you think they would do to it?