The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), known in French as Société Radio-Canada, is Canada’s national public broadcaster, established on November 2, 1936. As a Crown corporation, it operates both English-language and French-language services, including CBC and Radio-Canada, respectively. The CBC provides a wide array of programming across various platforms, including radio, television, and digital media, with a commitment to inform, enlighten, and entertain Canadians while promoting Canadian culture. It is recognized as the oldest continuously operating broadcasting network in Canada, having played a pivotal role in the country’s media landscape through innovations in radio and television broadcasting.
History of the CBC Logo
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), also known as Société Radio-Canada, is Canada’s public broadcaster for radio and television, operating English-language services as CBC and French-language services as Radio-Canada.
In 1958, CBC extended its television signal nationwide. By 1966, it began colour broadcasts, offering a full-colour service by 1974. To highlight this transition, the network introduced the “butterfly” logo, symbolizing its shift from black-and-white to colour, similar to NBC’s iconic peacock. This logo was displayed at the start of colour programs and remained until the full transition to colour broadcasting was complete.
The 1970s marked a period of significant advancement for CBC, including the transition to continuous colour broadcasting and the development of plans to become the world’s first broadcaster to use a satellite for television service, connecting all parts of Canada.
In 1974, CBC launched a competition to create a new logo and corporate identity that would embody all aspects of broadcasting. The design needed to serve as a strong visual symbol, adaptable for various uses, and effective for on-air animation. Renowned Canadian designer Burton Kramer won the competition with a design centered around the letter “C,” representing Canada and symbolizing a national broadcasting source. The design expanded outward to reflect CBC’s national and international roles, including its satellite network.
The logo, nicknamed “The Exploding Pizza,” featured a red center radiating outward in shades of orange and yellow, symbolizing energy and connectivity. It was commonly set against a dark blue background or encircled in blue, with other variations allowing for red-on-white or white-on-black presentations. Helvetica Medium was used for accompanying text in both English and French. On air, the logo’s dynamic animation, transitioning kaleidoscopically, captured viewers’ attention.
In 1986, leading up to its 50th anniversary, Radio-Canada sought to modernize the logo. The goals included simplifying the design, creating a consistent and contemporary identity, and managing costs. Designers Hubert Tison (creator of the butterfly logo) and Robert Innes refined the logo, standardizing its use in a single blue colour associated with professionalism. They also introduced guidelines to ensure consistency in Radio-Canada’s branding.
The logo was updated again in 1992 to improve its appearance at smaller sizes. The design was simplified further, reducing its components from 28 to 13, and the central “C” was replaced with a solid circle. Red returned to symbolize energy and action, and this version remains in use today.
Burton Kramer later expressed disappointment with the changes, feeling they lacked a distinct representation of Canada, describing the newer designs as less reflective of the broadcaster’s national identity.
Logos with similar colors:
