Sender Freies Berlin (SFB), the public radio and television service for West Berlin, operated from 1954 until its merger with Ostdeutscher Rundfunk Brandenburg (ORB) in 2003 to form Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB). The broadcaster’s visual identity, including its logo and the bear mascot that appeared in its programming, became a recognizable part of West Berlin’s daily life.
Design and History
Sender Freies Berlin was established by law in November 1953 and began broadcasting on 1 June 1954 as the ARD public radio and television service for West Berlin. The station operated under this name until 30 April 2003, when it merged with ORB to create Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB).[1]
The SFB logo and signet were displayed prominently on the station’s television center, a 14-story aluminum-clad high-rise completed in 1971, where they remained visible for many years.[2] The station’s identity also included a bear mascot, known as the SFB-Bär, which appeared in credits and cartoons during commercial breaks.[3]
Beyond the main logo, SFB’s design output included posters for its concert series, created by designers such as Hans Förtsch and Reinhart Braun. These posters used geometric elements and typographic play to interpret the abstract music performed at the station’s events.[4]
Following the merger with ORB on 1 May 2003, the new RBB introduced its own corporate design, replacing the SFB identity.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The bear, a traditional heraldic symbol of Berlin, served as the station’s mascot and connected the broadcaster’s identity to the city it served. The SFB-Bär appeared in the station’s on-air presentations and promotional material.[3]
Typography and Design
Documentation of the specific typography used in the SFB logo itself is limited. However, the design culture of West Berlin during the station’s era was characterized by the intensive use of neutral typefaces such as Helvetica, a trend noted by designers of the period as a response to the uncertain times of the Cold War era.[4]
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