KPBS

Credits

Captures by
Doctorine Dark

Background

KPBS is a PBS affiliate located in San Diego, California. KPBS was founded in 1960 by San Diego State College (now San Diego State University) as a radio station that went under the name KEBS; in 1967, KEBS began broadcasting on television as an NET affiliate. In 1970, after National Educational Television folded into New York City/Newark station WNDT (now WNET), PBS absorbed NET's operations and KEBS changed its name to KPBS.

1st ID (1977-1983)

Visuals: On a black background, a red-tinted glass rectangle is seen, with a lot of pink sparkling on it. It revolves around until "KPBS" is seen inside it. "SAN DIEGO" in CG Omega font fades in below. Once the logo is in place, the pink sparkling seems to die down.

Technique: Live-action model work.

Audio: An outer-spacey synthesized twinkle sound that sounds like the opening notes to Street Fighter II on the SNES. This is actually the 4th track of "Sound Patterns with ID" from "Four Notes In Search Of A Tune" by Don Voegeli.

Availability: Seen on KPBS shows from the era, such as Newsthink episodes.

2nd ID (1983-1985)

Visuals: On a black background, a white outline for the text "KPBS" in a font similar to that of the 1971 PBS logo wipes in downwards, filling in with a light blue/black gradient after it's finished. The cursive text "San Diego" in a yellow/orange gradient cursive font fades in below.

Variant: A short version just has the "San Diego" text fading in.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A steady synth tone shifting slightly off tempo, with a series of beeps and tones when the "San Diego" text fades in. The short version also has extra notes playing throughout.

Availability: The normal (long) version appeared on Big Mama Thornton, while the short version appeared on Ballad of an Unsung Hero.

3rd ID (1985-1991)

Visuals: Over a black background, the logo starts with the text "KPBS" in the standard PBS typeface with a blue glow around it. The "KPBS" shines throughout the logo. The words "San Diego" in a stylized cursive are written out (a la the ALMI logo) as the outline of the letters flashes at the viewer, at sort of a tilted position (a la the Celebrity Home Entertainment logo). Once the text is completed, the outline flashing goes back into the words.

Technique: Backlit animation.

Audio: An ascending, and then descending, synthesized piano crescendo. It ends with what sounds like a synthesized French horn note.

Availability: Can be seen if your station has older prints of programs produced by KPBS. Also seen on a PBS logo demo VHS.

4th ID (1991-2001)

Visuals: On a black background, various copies of KPBS' new logo, which consists of the letters "KPBS" clumped together in various sizes overlapping each other, zoom in slowly as "A PRODUCTION OF" zooms in with them. A normal sized copy slowly moves up to the middle. A copyright in Roman numerals appears as the text zooms in and fades out and the background darkens. "S A N D I E G O" moves down quickly from the top of the screen and meets up with the logo as the background darkens to a point that the copies are barely visible and a picture of a shell casting a shadow over a concrete surface fades in below.

Variants:

• A later version has the logo in a much cheaper look (the copies don't zoom in, the logo and text are smaller with "A PRODUCTION OF" and a normal copyright date appearing in a different font).
• There is a still version of the logo on a grey background and without the shell picture.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A somber 4-note trumpet and xylophone theme. The variant had only the somber.

Availability: Seen on San Diego Above All. Was also on episodes of Debbi Fields' cooking show Great American Desserts, while the later version is seen on Nature's Classic: San Diego.

5th ID (December 1993)

Visuals: Unknown.

Technique: None. ^{[possible misuse]}

Audio: Unknown.

Availability: Only used as a local ID.

6th ID (1996-2000s)

Visuals: On a gray background, "A CO-PRODUCTION OF" slides down below as the KPBS logo slides down to position. "S A N D I E G O" slides up from the bottom.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The ending theme of the show or a strange piano tune heard throughout the logos.

Availability: It's intact on VHS tapes of Bloopy's Buddies. It also appeared on Great American Desserts.

7th ID (2001-2019)

Visuals: There is the letters "KPBS", shown in the same style as the 3rd logo, on the screen. The words "San Diego" are also found usually next to the logo. Sometimes, the text shines.

Variants: Usually the PBS P-head is next to the logo, and the background can vary depending on the show.

Technique: None, or CGI for the shining variant.

Audio: Usually none or the end theme of the show. Early programs have a piano rendition of the 1991 jingle.

Availability: Seen on new programs produced by KPBS.