MBC 1

Credits

Compiled by
Doctorine Dark

Video captures courtesy of
Hafiz Mediaworks, Hans Olav Nyborg, Orhan Amin, amer aboashe

Background

MBC1 is the flagship television channel of the MBC Group, launched on September 18, 1991.

1st Logo (September 18, 1991-199?)

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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 "مركز تلفزيون الشرق الأوسط" (meaning "Middle East Broadcasting Center") fades in on the bottom and glows for a second. The finished products stays for a few seconds.

FX/SFX: CGI animation.

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.

Legacy: An amazing logo for its time, particularly for the Middle East, that is.

2nd Logo (1993?)

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Logo: On a violet sky background, we see a close-up of a satellite. We slowly go upwards. As this happens, a few golden strokes (similar to the first logo) appear, abruptly rotating to the left. When it disappears, we see the same golden "m" from the first logo for a split second, before disappearing. The strokes then appear again in the same manner, this time leaving the "b". The strokes appear once again, leaving off the "c". The strokes appear yet again, but it rotates clockwise instead, and is more continuous. After a few seconds, the full logo fades in, and the strokes fade out. The logo then slightly zooms out before it ends.

FX/SFX: Live-action and 2D animation.

Music/Sounds: A calming tune, ending with a few piano notes.

Availability: Extinct. Used as a station ID.

Legacy: This is another quite nice logo, thanks to its more aesthetic nature and musical score.

3rd Logo (2001-2003)

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• 
  10th anniversary variant

Logo: TBA

Variant: There is a variant used for MBC1's 10th anniversary. The logo continues as normal, but a second after the logo is formed, the "m" and "c" quickly go left and right offscreen, respectively. The "b" turns into a red stylized "10", and sparkles spread from it. The logo then fades in below the "10". Candles then appear on the "10".

FX/SFX: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous logo.

Legacy: This is a well-made logo.

4th Logo (2003-2005?)

Nickname: "Metallic MBC"

Logo: We see a closeup of a man on a desert-like background, who then looks up. We then cut to see the man slightly further, revealing that he is looking at a pyramid. While that, we see a faint crescent illumination on the pyramid. The illumination then shines, forming a slightly modified version of the logo.

FX/SFX: Live-action and CGI.

Music/Sounds: A dramatic timpani and strings tune.

Availability: Same as the previous logo.

5th Logo (2006-2009)

Nickname: "Red MBC"

Logo: See Variants.

Variants:

• Chairs: On a white background with a yellow path of circle patterns, we see clips of a woman and a man sitting on rotating chairs. After a while, we see the red MBC logo form from circles on the right side of the screen.
• Breakdancer: On a white background with white cubes, we see clips of a man breakdancing and moving around on a red cube. At some point, he then sits, apparently exhausted. On the right we see the MBC logo form from a square pattern.

FX/SFX: Depending on the variant. Live-action and CGI animation.

Music/Sounds:

• For the Chairs ident, an upbeat techno tune plays. When the logo forms, electronic chords can be heard.
• For the Breakdancer ident, a similar techno tune, only much heavier, plays. Reversed heavy synth sounds can be heard when the logo forms.

Availability: Same as the previous logo.

6th Logo (2009-2012)

Nickname: "Red MBC II"

Logo: TBA

FX/SFX: Live-action and CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: Piano tunes can be heard.

Availability: Same as the previous logo.

7th Logo (2012- )

Nickname: "Red MBC III"

Logo: TBA

FX/SFX: Again, live-action and CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Current.