Zee News is a prominent Hindi-language news channel in India with a rich history that reflects the evolution of media in the country. Launched in 1999, it has become a key player in the Indian news landscape and is marked by key milestones and controversies. The Zee News logo has undergone several changes since its inception in 1999. The changes reflect broader trends in branding and design as well as the growth and identity transformation of the channel. The article explores the changes in the logo of Zee News over the years.
The Genesis of the Zee News Logo (1999 – 2000)
The original Zee News logo was introduced at the channel’s launch on August 27, 1999. It featured a bold, massive, and three-dimensional letter “Z” in a supine position. The letter was given a gradient golden colour scheme and placed against a white background. The wordmark “NEWS” in white was inscribed on the footwall of the letter. Here, the letter “Z” conveyed the word “Zee” of the brand Zee News.
(2000 – 2001)
The first redesign of the logo came about in 2000, wherein the letter “Z” was placed in an upright position but with a pronounced tilt. It was enveloped by a multi-coloured ribbon-like object. The three-dimensional letter “Z” featured shades of blue to create a gradient effect. Below the letter “Z” appeared the wordmark “ZEE NEWS” in italics and in a light-yellow colour palette. The wordmark was set against a gradient blue rectangular background.
(2001 – 2002)
In 2001, the original logo design made a comeback of sorts in bright golden letters with a gradient and pronounced white accents. Interestingly, the wordmark “NEWS” appeared below the emblem comprising the letter “Z” in a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters. Interestingly, the letters were placed close to each other, unlike in the original logo. Finally, the whole emblem and the wordmark were enclosed within a steel-coloured square serving as a background.
(2002 – 2005)
The previous logo iteration with pronounced white accents was placed within a solid red square serving as a background.
(2005 – 2008)
In 2005, the Zee News logo underwent a major redesign. The new logo featured a more modernised look with a sleeker font and a more refined colour palette. The stylish three-dimensional letter “Z” in a slightly dark gradient golden colour palette was thinner in shape and placed at an angle. Moreover, the solid red square-shaped background with a white wordmark appeared at an angle to the emblem. Besides, the middle bar of the letter “E” in the wordmark slightly protruded to the left.
The emphasis of the logo shifted towards a more professional appearance. This aligned with the channel’s ambition to be seen as a serious news provider. The logo retained the core elements but presented them in a more sophisticated manner.
(2008 – 2011)
In 2008, the previous logo design saw a change in its colour palette. The emblem comprising the letter “Z” appeared in a bright golden colour with subtle white accents. At the same time, the square-shaped background with the wordmark in white turned black for better contrast.
(2011 – 2017)
A significant update occurred in 2011 when Zee News introduced a gradient effect to its logo. The upright letter “Z” in gradient red had a white streak running across it, which made the letter split into two segments. Below the letter “Z” was placed the wordmark “NEWS” in fading white against a black rectangle. This design choice added depth and dimension to make the logo visually appealing.
(1st January – 15th October 2017)
The logo was further simplified in 2017 to reflect modern design trends favouring minimalism. The red gradient colour was replaced with solid red colour, and the font was adjusted for better readability. The white streak of the previous logo was reduced in width and length to convey a greater visual effect. However, the wordmark below the emblem remained the same as in the previous logo iteration. This redesign aimed to enhance brand visibility across various media platforms, including digital formats.
(2017 – 2023)
The logo of 2017 had undergone a major redesign, which was a major departure from its previous iterations. In place of the emblem comprising the letter “Z” appeared a small, solid red circle. The wordmark “ZEE” in white was placed in the middle of the circle, while “NEWS” was placed just after “ZEE” on the right in red and against a white background.
(2023 – Present)
In the latest iteration, the previous logo design was refined where the solid red circle was given a gradient effect and subtle white accents. At the same time, the wordmark “ZEE NEWS” in contrasting white and red colour was flattened and made a little smaller.
(2025)
With the Zee Media Corporation announcing a unified brand identity with the new stylish and futuristic “Z” symbol, the logo of Zee News too has undergone a change. It features the inscription “Z News” in a combination of white and red set against a black background. The letter “Z” appears in a bigger size in white, while “NEWS” in red uppercase appears in a smaller size to the right.
The Elements of the Zee News Logo
Font
The current logo features a bold sans-serif typeface that conveys strength and clarity. This choice of font reflects the channel’s commitment to straightforward and trustworthy journalism. The previous iterations of the logo have included custom-designed fonts that were more stylized. However, recent designs prioritise simplicity and legibility, which make it easier for viewers to recognise the brand across various media platforms.
Colour
The current logo prominently features red and white, where red conveys energy and urgency—qualities that are essential for a news channel.
Finally
The Zee News logo and its various iterations reflect not only the changes in design trends but also the channel’s strategic positioning within India’s media landscape. Each redesign has aimed to enhance brand identity while ensuring that it resonates with viewers’ expectations for reliability and professionalism in news reporting. With Zee News continuing to adapt to new challenges and opportunities, its logo is likely to evolve further to meet the demands of an ever-changing audience.