A two-layer coating for the outer surface of the display screen of a color cathode ray tube (CRT) includes an inner carbon black-based layer and an outer silica-based layer. The inner layer is antistatic, while the outer layer is antireflective. To compensate for the increased absorption of blue light by the carbon black particles, which results in a color video image having a yellowish tint, a blue additive, such as a pigment or dye, is added to the coating to adjust its light absorbance characteristics and provide uniform light absorbance over the entire visible spectrum of 400-700 nm for improved color video image presentation.