I don't think it was a major concern. First, you can always display a dummy black image without turning off the CRT. Also, VESA defines two "off" modes in DPMS (1993): blank and fully off. "Blank" allows the monitor to partially suspend without shutting down the CRT completely, which allows an instant recovery.

Might as well have an animation, as opposed to "black light"?

> as opposed to "black light"

BTW, the "black" on a CRT is almost a true black. The electron beam is off when the signal voltage is less/equal to the black level, there's no "black light" if the black level is perfectly calibrated. Displaying a black image fullscreen is indistinguishable from an endless vertical/horizontal blanking interval from a practical standpoint. There's a measurable decrease in power consumption, although it's not much (it can be great enough on a large TV, though).

On the other hand, VESA blanking mode turns off additional circuitry, and it can save a lot of power while still keeping the CRT heater on, suspending the screen without the disadvantages of a long wakeup time or stressing the tube.