Logo descriptions by Ryanasaurus0077


1st Logo
(1979-1985)

Logo: Just a circle with a stylized "CPB" cut into it on a blue background, with the phrase:


underneath.

FX: None; it's a still logo.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: The logo has no music, but there are three voiceover variations:

• "(PROGRAM NAME) is made possible by funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."

• "Additional funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."
• "Funding for this series was also provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."

Availability: As rare as you can get without being extinct. Preserved on 1983-1984 Reading Rainbow tapes at your local library.

Scare Factor: Low; the announcer mixed with bold letters may get to some depending on who's voice. A child's voice is none, but a deeper voice may be scarier. Other than that, it's a pretty BORING logo.



2nd Logo
(1985-1987/1991-1992)

Logo: Same as the first logo, but this time the background is a black/purple gradient. The whole thing also has a drop shadow.

Variants:

• The first few programs that had this logo, including 1985 episodes of Reading Rainbow, omitted the drop shadow.
• On later programs, the text was smaller, as the CPB circle took up half the screen.
• 3-2-1 Classroom Contact used the aforementioned variation, but on a dark red background.

FX: None; it's a still logo.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the 1st logo.

Availability: As rare as you can get without extinction. Preserved on 1985-1987 Reading Rainbow tapes at your local library.

Scare Factor: Low; same as above.



3rd Logo
(1987-1991,1991-1996)

Logo: The whole thing takes place on a space background with stars zooming past. The CPB logo is now in 3-D, and the circle is colored blue and white. First, we see it slowly rotating 90 degrees to the left. After it finishes rotating the words, the name pops up like this:


Variants:

• Sometimes, a still version of the logo, with only the stars being animated, was used.
• On Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, the Earth is behind the whole thing, and on 1993-1996 episodes, the byline used in logo 5 is seen below the text.
• An earlier variant put this logo on a black/purple gradient background.
• Some shows, like Great Performances, had the logo superimposed over a specialty backdrop.
• The logo may also fade away to make room for the text "Viewers Like You", which contains the words "Viewers Like" (in a small white font) with "you" sketched below in yellow script. This happened on many post-1988 shows.

FX: The stars, and the occasional 90 degree rotation of the CPB circle from the left side of the screen.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the 1st logo.

Availability: On television, chances of seeing this has become almost nada, but it will pop up on 1991 episodes of Reading Rainbow from time to time. Preserved on 1988-1991 Reading Rainbow tapes at your local library.

Scare Factor: Low; the announcer and the sudden appearance of the may get to some. However, this logo is a favorite to longtime PBS viewers as with new CGI effects.



4th Logo
(1991-1993)

Logo: The CPB circle has been redesigned, with a purple outline around it and in the letters. The whole thing takes place on a black background.

FX: None; it's a still logo.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the 1st logo.

Availability: Mainly seen on American Experience. It has been preserved on PBS Video tapes at your local library.

Scare Factor: Low; the announcer may get to some.




5th Logo
(1991-2005)

Logo: On a textured blue/purple background with occasional purplish comets flying past, two circles slide in and form the CPB logo above the white text:


as lines go diagonally upward. After a few seconds, the text fades out as the logo splits into two CPB logos going to opposite sides of the screen so that the words "Viewers Like You" (in plain white plain serif text this time) appear in its place near the top.

Variants:

• Starting in 1993, the byline "A private corporation funded by the American people" was added under the text. At that time, the text above was arranged centered, and the CPB logo was smaller to make room for the byline.
• A still version is seen on some programs.
• Some shows do not use the text "Viewers Like You".
• On 1991-1998 episodes of Sesame Street, the logo fades out (instead of the CPB logo splitting into two CPB logos) to make room for "PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTORS".
• On some shows, particularly those produced by WGBH Boston, would feature a still version of the logo superimposed over a background unique to that show.
• There is a version that lacks the sweeping lines, which was seen on season 3 episodes of Barney & Friends.
• Starting in 1999, the text "Thank You" followed "Viewers Like You".

FX: The lines and the circles sliding.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the first logo. Sesame Street episodes from 1991-1992 used the famous "Funky Chimes" as background music, while Sesame Street episodes from 1992-1998 used a hip-hop instrumental based on the Sesame Street theme. The voiceovers are the same as the first logo. On all Sesame Street episodes with this logo, the announcer (Gordon, Gabi) says "Funding for this program was provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting... and by public television stations and their contributors.".

Availability: Pretty common; it has been preserved on reruns of 1991-2000 PBS programs, even with the current PBS logo plastered! Preserved on PBS Home Video tapes of the era. This logo remained on Dragon Tales until 2005, which used the 1991-1993 logo.

Scare Factor: Low; the way the CPB discs suddenly zoom in may catch you off guard the first time; however, this logo is pretty tame for the most part.



6th Logo
(2000-2001)

Logo: On a teal background, we see the CPB print logo, in black, centered on the screen. At the bottom is a byline.

FX: The background.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: An extended version of the 7th PBS logo's music, albeit entirely on guitar. For voiceovers, an announcer says "This program is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.".

Availability: May appear on PBS programs from 2000-2001 if your station has older prints. Also seen on a few PBS Home Video tapes of the era.

Scare Factor: None; it's a peaceful logo.



7th Logo
(2001-2002)

Logo: On the same BG is logo 6, blue dots appear in the center of the screen and form the CPB logo, which has been redesigned yet again, this time looking like a square with "cpb" in it. The "p" and "b" are connected to the edge of the square. A byline appears underneath.

Variants:

• On Life 360, the whole thing is on a black background.
• On several shows, a still version is superimposed over the credits of that show.

FX: The blue dots forming the CPB logo.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: The music consists of a futuristic synth tune as the dots appear, followed by a woodwind note as the CPB logo wipes in. This is followed by an updated version of the 6th PBS logo's music, performed on brass. The VOs are the same as logo 6.

Availability: May appear on PBS programs from 2001-2002 if your station has older prints. Also seen on a few PBS Home Video tapes of the era.

Scare Factor: Minimal.



8th Logo
(2002- )

Logo: On a blue/purple/red ethereal background with silhouettes of random people doing various things, the CPB logo wipes in vertically, and a byline appears.

FX: The wiping in of the CPB logo.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Several variations of the 8th PBS logo's music have been used so far.The VO is the same as the 6th logo.

Availability: The current logo, so it's common.

Scare Factor: None.