The channel debuted on September 1, 1994, under the ownership of Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation; IFC originated as a spin-off of then-sibling channel Bravo, which focused at that time on a wider variety of programming than IFC, including arts-related programming. The Independent Film Channel originally operated as a commercial-free service, with films being shown without interruption. Its first logo was created by Brian Dieck of newly formed The Diecks Group.
In 2001, Independent Film Channel unveiled a new logo, renaming itself on-screen to IFC; however, its legal name as "Independent Film Channel" was unchanged until 2014. This logo is still being used by its movie and theater counterparts.
In March 2010, the channel slightly refocused from a independent film channel to including more comedy programming. This restructuring strategy also included a modified logo with a bolder font with rounded corners and removing the notch on the "I" and the introduction of the current slogan "Always on. Slightly off." The new look was created by Portland-based Feel Good Anyway.
Former programming: 360 Sessions | Benders | The Birthday Boys | Bollywood Hero | Brockmire | Bullet in the Face | Bunk | The Business | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Dinner for Five | Dinner with the Band | The Festival | Film School | Fishing with John | Food Party | Framed | Garfunkel and Oates | Get Hit | Getting Away with Murder | Gigi Does It | Greg the Bunny | The Grid | The Henry Rollins Show | Henry Rollins: Uncut | Hopeless Pictures | The IFC Media Project | The Increasing Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret | Maron | The Mary Van Note Show | The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman | Onion News Network | Out There | Portlandia | Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings | Split Screen | The Spoils of Babylon | The Spoils Before Dying | Stan Against Evil | Ultimate Film Fanatic | Whisker Wars | The Whitiest Kids U' Know | Young, Broke & Beautiful | Z Rock
