PBS Logo
The PBS logo uses 2 primary colors. Its dominant color is Third Eye Chakra (#2638C4, closest Pantone 2098 C). PBS operates in the Tv Movies & Streaming industry.
- Color family
- blue
- Industry
- Tv Movies & Streaming
- Brand popularity
- Top 8% of indexed brands
- Website
- pbs.org
Design analysis
The PBS logo is a custom wordmark set in a geometric sans-serif typeface. The three letters share a consistent stroke weight and circular geometry: the "P" features a perfectly round counter that sits on the baseline, the "B" comprises two equal circles stacked vertically, and the "S" is drawn from a single continuous curve with open apertures. This construction creates a rhythmic, modular appearance that reads as a cohesive unit rather than three separate glyphs. The mark relies entirely on typography — no accompanying symbol or icon — which aligns with a trend among major media brands toward simplified, digital-first wordmarks.
At small sizes the logo holds up well because the letterforms are distinct and the counters remain open; the circular "P" counter is particularly legible even as a favicon. The deep blue provides strong contrast against white backgrounds, meeting accessibility standards for text. In the streaming-TV competitive set, where many rivals use bright, gradient, or multi-color identities (Netflix red, HBO purple, Disney+ blue), PBS's single-hue blue feels authoritative and trustworthy, reinforcing its public-service mission. A potential weakness is low differentiation when placed alongside other blue-heavy media brands, but the unique letterform geometry mitigates this.
Logo colors, measured
Colors extracted from the logo image itself (background removed), with share of the mark each color covers.
Click a chip to copy its hex code.
The measured palette — #2638C4 (a saturated, mid-dark blue) covering roughly 22% of the mark and #FFFFFF (white) at 9% — is essentially a two-color system: blue letterforms on a white field. This deep blue sits between corporate navy and electric digital blue, signaling both institutional credibility and modern accessibility. In an industry dominated by high-energy reds, purples, and teals, PBS's restrained single hue communicates stability and educational seriousness without appearing dated. The high contrast ratio ensures legibility across broadcast, streaming, and mobile contexts, while the limited palette keeps reproduction costs low and brand recognition high.
Variations & downloads
Color variants generated from the vector source — free to download for identification, editorial and research use.
Visually similar logos
Nearest neighbors in visual embedding space — marks that share shape and structure with the PBS logo, regardless of color or industry.
Brand web palette
Colors PBS uses across its website — the broader brand system around the logo.
About PBS
PBS is a renowned brand that is committed to providing high-quality educational content to the public. As a not-for-profit institution, PBS's main objective is to gather only the necessary information about its users and their engagement with its services. With a mission to implement the best online experience possible, PBS offers a wide range of services through its website, pbs. org, and other associated platforms. These include access to various content and features, interactive online experiences, and the ability to directly connect with PBS through questions, feedback, and correspondence. PBS collects information such as contact details, geolocation, demographic information, and user preferences to personalize and enhance the user experience. They also employ cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to gather data on user behavior and improve service offerings. PBS values your privacy and ensures that any collected information is used responsibly, facilitating fulfilling requests, improving services, preventing illegal activities, and protecting the rights and interests of its users. It's a brand that prioritizes education and empowers individuals to explore and learn in a safe and engaging environment
Questions about the PBS logo
Why did PBS drop the iconic "P-head" character from its logo?
The 2019 redesign replaced the illustrative "P-head" (used since 1998) with a pure wordmark to improve digital legibility, simplify cross-platform application, and reflect a shift toward streaming-first distribution. The new geometric letters retain the friendly circular motif but work better at app-icon sizes.
Is the PBS logo color trademarked?
PBS has not registered the specific shade #2638C4 as a standalone color trademark, but the overall logo design — including the custom letterforms in this blue — is protected as a trademark and service mark for broadcasting and educational services.
What color is the PBS logo?
The dominant color of the PBS logo is Third Eye Chakra (hex #2638C4). The closest Pantone match is 2098 C.
How many colors does the PBS logo have?
The PBS logo uses 2 primary colors: #2638C4, #FFFFFF.
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The PBS logo is a trademark of its owner, shown here for identification and design research. Color data is measured from the public mark by LogoLabs; analysis is editorial commentary. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.