For use in a color cathode ray tube (CRT) having a display screen with a flat outer surface and a curved inner surface, a 2-layer antistatic and antireflective coating for the display screen's flat outer surface compensates for the variation in screen thickness to provide uniform light transmission through the screen and coating combination, a high degree of video image contrast, effective electrostatic shielding and discharge, and reduced light reflectivity. The coating includes a first inner electrically conductive layer disposed on the CRT display screen's flat outer surface containing carbon black particles for a high level of video image contrast and improved electrical conductivity for electrostatic shielding and discharge. The extent of light transmission through the inner conductive layer may be adjusted in accordance with the display screen's thickness by varying the amount of carbon black particles in the coating solution.