CNBC, or Consumer News and Business Channel, is a leading media channel covering business and finance news globally. Available on both television and digital platforms, CNBC offers a wide range of programming. It encompasses real-time market reports, analysis of economic trends, and interviews with prominent business honchos. It caters to business executives, consumers desirous of knowing about markets and the world of business, and professional traders and investors, among others.
The CNBC logo has undergone a few changes since its inception in 1989. These changes reflect the growth and adaptation of the network to changing media landscapes. This article explores the history and evolution of the CNBC logo, and highlights key milestones and logo design changes that have taken place over the years.
The Genesis of the CNBC Logo (1989 – 1992)
The first CNBC logo was introduced in 1989, which featured the brand name “CNBC” in lowercase letters with “N” and “B” connected diagonally to emphasise boldness and modernity. This design marked the beginning of CNBC’s visual identity and set the stage for future developments.
(1992 – 1994)
In 1992, CNBC shifted to an all-capital style of writing the brand name and incorporated a “target” circle within the first letter “C.” This period also saw the introduction of the tagline “Information That Hits Home,” which was displayed in white inside a black banner below the wordmark. This change aimed to enhance recognition and convey a sense of precision.
(1994 – 1996)
The logo evolved further in 1994 with the brand name written in italics and a light grey orbit or swoosh wound around the upper part of the first letter “C.” This design element symbolised progress and speed and aligned with the network’s focus on dynamic financial news.
(1996 – 2023)
In 1996, CNBC adopted its most iconic logo yet, which featured a stylised white peacock with a rainbow-coloured plume of feathers above the “CNBC” wordmark in bold black letters. The brand name was executed using a sans-serif typeface. This design became synonymous with the network’s global reach and diverse content offerings. The vibrant colours of the peacock represented universality, actuality, and professionalism. Further, they reflected CNBC’s commitment to comprehensive financial coverage.
(2023 – Present)
On December 11, 2023, CNBC unveiled a major rebranding effort to update its logo for the first time since 1996. The new design retained the multicoloured peacock graphics representing the parent organisation, NBC, and the variety of content it offers. However, the style of the CNBC brand name was changed and rendered in a sleek sans-serif typeface in dark blue. This modernisation aimed to enhance viewer engagement and reinforce CNBC’s position as a leading financial news network.
The Elements of the CNBC Logo
Symbol
The logo design of CNBC features a rainbow-coloured “peacock’s tail” composed of six vibrant colours, wherein each colour forms a petal. These petals are arranged in a semicircle to ensure symmetry. The two outermost petals are positioned horizontally to define the traditional border above the company’s abbreviated name. This design allows for seamless integration on branded products, screens, and the internet and maintains its appeal without cluttering the space.
Font
The brand name is displayed in classic black using the Univers Next Pro 940 Extended Extra font. The symmetrical placement of each logo element—the text and the “tail”—facilitates easy visual recognition of the entire logo.
Colour
The logo showcases a stylised peacock with six vibrant feather plumes, each in a distinct bright colour: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. These colours are arranged to form a spectrum and look like the natural spread of a peacock’s tail. Below the rainbow-coloured peacock are written the bold and capitalised letters “CNBC” displayed in a deep navy-blue colour. The navy-blue colour thus creates a striking contrast with the multi-coloured plumage above that enhances readability.
The History of CNBC
CNBC, or Consumer News and Business Channel, has a rich history that spans over three decades. Founded by NBC and Cablevision, CNBC first launched on April 17, 1989, with the aim of providing real-time financial news and market coverage. CNBC was initially launched as a consumer-focused news channel, but it quickly shifted its focus to business and financial news. The network’s early success was marked by its coverage of the stock market and business events, which resonated with viewers seeking timely financial information.
In the early 1990s, CNBC expanded its reach by launching international channels, starting with CNBC Asia in 1995 and CNBC Europe in 1996. This expansion helped establish CNBC as a global leader in financial news, providing coverage to a broader audience. In 2002, NBC acquired a majority stake in CNBC, further integrating it into the NBCUniversal network. This acquisition enhanced CNBC’s resources and capabilities, allowing it to produce more comprehensive and diverse programming.
The rise of digital media led CNBC to invest heavily in online platforms. The launch of CNBC.com and mobile apps enabled viewers to access financial news and data on demand, significantly expanding CNBC’s reach and influence.
In 2023, CNBC underwent a significant rebranding effort, updating its logo and visual identity to align with NBCUniversal’s broader branding strategy. This change aimed to enhance viewer engagement and reinforce CNBC’s position as a leading financial news network. Over the years, CNBC has remained committed to delivering high-quality financial news and analysis, making it a trusted source for business professionals and investors worldwide.
Interesting Facts About CNBC
- CNBC was launched on April 17, 1989, as a joint venture between NBC and Cablevision. Initially known as the Consumer News and Business Channel, it focused on consumer news but quickly shifted to business and financial news.
- After the Financial News Network (FNN) went bankrupt in 1991, CNBC acquired FNN and merged its operations, significantly expanding its reach to over 40 million homes.
- CNBC expanded internationally with the launch of CNBC Asia in 1995 and CNBC Europe in 1996. Today, it operates multiple international channels and affiliates.
- CNBC has a strong online presence through CNBC.com, offering news articles, videos, podcasts, and subscription-based services like CNBC Pro and CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer.
- Despite fluctuations in viewership over the years, CNBC remains a leading business news network. In 2023, it reported higher total day and primetime viewership than Fox Business, though it trailed in trading day viewership.
- CNBC has formed partnerships with major media outlets like Yahoo! Finance and The New York Times to enhance its content offerings and reach a broader audience.
- CNBC has been at the forefront of using advanced technology in broadcasting, such as its CNBC 4D interactive motion tracking system, which allows presenters to interact with 3D graphics.
- In India, CNBC operates through a joint venture with Network18 Group, offering business and financial news tailored to the Indian market.
- CNBC launched CNBC+ in 2025, an over-the-top media service offering exclusive content for a monthly or annual fee.
- CNBC’s content is consumed by more than 355 million people worldwide, making it a global leader in business news.
Finally
The CNBC logo and its various iterations reflect the ongoing efforts of the network to adapt to changing media landscapes. However, this was done without disregarding the core values of innovation and comprehensive financial coverage.