The Independent Film 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 the 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 "The Independent Film Channel" remained unchanged until 2014. This logo is still used by IFC Center and was also used by IFC Films until it was renamed Independent Film Company in 2025.
In March 2010, the channel slightly refocused from an independent film channel to include more comedy programming. This restructuring strategy also included a modified logo with a bolder font and rounded corners, removing the notch on the "I", and introducing 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 Whitest Kids U' Know | Young, Broke & Beautiful | Z Rock
