The NBC logo: a history

Selection of NBC logos
(Image credit: NBC)

The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was founded in 1926 and launched America's first permanent radio network. From 1939 onwards, it ushered in a new era of TV, and went on to host some of the country's most popular shows. It currently broadcasts the longest-running live-action series in US prime-time history, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Despite the rise of cable cutting and a shift towards streaming, NBC continues to generate both profits and critical acclaim. And while that's largely down to the quality of its programming, its powerful branding has also played a part in this century-long success story. Today, its famous 'Peacock' logo is arguably more instantly recognisable than any one show. 

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Tom May

Tom May is an award-winning journalist and editor specialising in design, photography and technology. Author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. Today, he is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq and its sister sites Digital Camera World, T3.com and Tech Radar. He also writes for Creative Boom and works on content marketing projects. 

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