Nebraska Public Media (previously known as Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, or NET in shorthand) is the network of PBS and NPR member stations for the U.S. state of Nebraska.
KUON-TV[]
1954–1975[]
BETTER LOGO NEEDED
The TV flagship of what would become Nebraska Public Media is KUON-TV in Lincoln, which commenced broadcasting on November 1, 1954. A statewide network would be assembled in the 1960s under the control of the Nebraska Educational Television Commission.
Nebraska ETV Network[]
1975–1976[]
Designer:
Bill Korbus
Typography:
Helvetica
Launched:
June 8, 1975
By 1975, the statewide network would adopt the moniker of the Nebraska ETV Network and would use this abstract, burgundy-colored "N" logo designed by William “Bill” Korbus. In October 1975, the national network NBC would unveil a logo that was an exact duplicate of this logo, save for the red-and-blue color scheme of NBC's version. It would prompt Nebraska ETV to sue NBC for trademark infringement in February 1976. This logo would officially be discontinued on April 1, 1976.
April–May 1976[]
BETTER LOGO NEEDED
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Unknown
Launched:
April 1, 1976
This logo was used as a placeholder while a new logo was being designed and reviewed. It was used until May 25, 1976.
1976–2005[]
Designer:
Mike Buettner
Typography:
Helvetica
Launched:
May 25, 1976
Nebraska ETV and NBC would settle their lawsuit out of court, resulting in NBC keeping its new logo (which it would use until 1979) and giving Nebraska ETV over $800,000 in new equipment, including a color mobile unit. NBC would also give Nebraska ETV $55,000 to cover the cost of designing and implementing a new logo. Unveiled to the press on May 25, 1976, and debuting on the station that night, the symbol was designed by station graphic designer Mike Buettner under Bill Korbus’ supervision. Meticulous measures were taken to make sure there was no existing trademarked symbol with a similar “N” shape.
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications[]
2005–2021[]
In January 2005, Nebraska ETV and Nebraska Public Radio adopted a unifying NET brand, adopting the acronym of PBS's predecessor, National Educational Television.
Nebraska Public Media[]
2021–present[]
On May 15, 2021, the NET brand was replaced with Nebraska Public Media, reflecting the network's mission of serving Nebraskans through multiple media platforms. While the logo depicts two speech bubbles, with one right-side up and the other upside down, the space in between also forms an "N".
