Annenberg Media

Background
Annenberg/CPB, originally known as The Annenberg/CPB Project, was a joint venture of the Annenberg Foundation and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting in 1981, through a gift from Walter Annenberg, who was the founder of the Annenberg Foundation. In 2006, the Annenberg Foundation (and the Annenberg Channel) withdrew their partnership from CPB, and renamed its channel to Annenberg Media. Despite that, the Dish Network channel University House Channel continued to rerun pre-2006 programs of the former Annenberg/CPB library until October 2008, when UHC permanently discontinued its satellite stations. However, Annenberg Media remains active as Annenberg Learner; their website, www.learner.org, still exists, and you can check it out to find information on their programs, FAQ, email, and much more.

1st Logo (1981-2004)
Logo: On a shady blue background, we see a tall upside-down "L" unfold, then a shorter upside-down "L" unfolds, and finally a trapezoid unfolds. The final result of this resembles a stylized lowercase "A". A shadow of the "A" is seen on the base. Then a star forms the text "The Annenberg/CPB Project". After the star forms the text, the shadow disappears.

Variants:
 * On a videotape syndication print of Planet Earth, we simply see white text saying "Annenberg/CPB Project" above the Planet Earth.
 * Starting in 1999, the logo has higher quality animation, the text is simply changed to "Annenberg/CPB" (in a different font), and the byline "Annenberg Foundation-Corporation for Public Broadcasting" is seen under it.
 * One version of the 1999 variant has just the text "Annenberg Foundation" and no "Corporation for Public Broadcasting" under the Annenberg/CPB text.
 * A special variant, using the background would have the text saying "The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Project" . The "A" logo is.

Technique: Early computer effects.

Music/Sounds: 3 synth notes with a "wah" effect as the "a" unfolds, then 8 higher synth notes as the star reveals the text, with the 8th note longer. Then, an announcer would be heard (during the 8th note of the jingle), announcing the above channel's name. Overall, there have been a couple changes between the announcing. Here are a couple variants:
 * From 1981 to 1999, the announcer would say "(Major) Funding for this program (or the name of the show) was provided by The Annenberg/CPB Project."
 * In 1999, along with its revised logo, a different announcer would say "Funding for this program is provided by Annenberg/CPB. To advance excellent teaching."

Availability: It can be found on re-runs of shows such as The Arts of Every Classroom and Biography of America (the later version) on local PBS stations such as UNC-TV and UNC-ED. Also preserved on certain Annenberg shows on the Learner on Demand website and maybe some other Annenberg shows if your local PBS station still shows them.

2nd Logo (2004-October 2008)
Logo: It's the same as the previous logo, but the animation is a lot smoother this time. When the logo is done animating, the words "Annenberg Media" wipe in with a sparkle effect below. Then the logo fades out and

Funding for this program provided by Annenberg/CPB

fades in, one line at a time.

Variant: Starting in 2006, the logo freezes after the "Annenberg Media" text appears. This was mainly to keep the other text from appearing, since Annenberg was no longer a part of CPB.

Technique: Modern computer effects.

Music/Sounds/Voice-over: A redone version of the last logo's music done with pianos, strings and modern synths. A female announcer says "Annenberg Media."

Music/Sounds/Voice-over variant: On the later variant, the announcement was changed. It has the same female announcer from mentioned above, but the announcement is "Funding for this program is provided by Annenberg Media."

Availability: Mostly preserved on shows on the Learner on Demand website. This may also be preserved if, like the last logo, your local PBS station still broadcasts Annenberg programs. It was also seen on almost all programs shown on the defunct University House Channel (sans American Cinema, which had the last logo).

(Late 2008?-)
Logo: Same concept as Annenberg/CPB, except the "A" zooms out after the animation, the text is changed to "ANNENBERG LEARNER", and said text in in a different font. The shine is also more dimmed than the last logo.

Technique: CGI.

Music/Sounds: Same as the last logo, except the narrator now says "Funding for this program was provided by Annenberg Learner."

Availability: Can be seen on newer on-demand programs from Annenberg's website.