MBC 1

Background

MBC1 is the flagship television channel of the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC).

1st Logo (1991-199?)

Logo: On a black background, we see a black sphere with a orange glow on the right, forming a crescent-like shape, slowly zooming out to the right side of the screen. As that happens, a slight pulse of light glows on the center, and 3 golden curvy lines appear, spinning to the left side of the screen, forming a stylized "m". Just before the "m" forms, streaks of wind from the left fall to the center of the screen, leaving a blue stylized "b". The "b" goes upwards a little to fit the proportion of the "m" and "c". Then on the bottom, the text "المركز تلفزيون الشرق الأوسط" (meaning "the Middle East Broadcasting Center") fades in on the bottom and glows for a second. The finished products stays for a few seconds.

FX/SFX: Mostly CGI.

Music/Sounds: A long, deep brass note, followed by a timpani, and a 2-note horn segment (with the second note held much longer), leading to a dramatic brass tune, and ending with a choir. Swooshes can be heard when the "m" is being formed.

Availability: Extinct. It was used as a startup ident.

Editor's Note: An amazing logo for its time, particularly for the Middle East, that is.