ABC News Website Update: Classic Theme Makes a Comeback on TV

ABC News will unveil an updated design, features, and functionality for its website on Monday, August 19. Viewers will also notice a refreshed on-air look, with the beloved ABC TV News Theme making a return in a reimagined and remixed form though not in Pendulum's version.

The new theme will premiere at 9:00 am AEST today, Monday, August 19, on the ABC NEWS Channel and will be featured in every state and territory 7 PM bulletin starting that night. To mark the beginning of Lisa Millar's final week, News Breakfast will showcase a live performance of the theme by the SA Primary Schools String Orchestra, paying homage to the original Adelaide Symphony Orchestra arrangement.

As much as a jingle can define a brand, the ABC News theme, which was broadcast nightly for nearly two decades until 2005, truly signaled a moment for families to gather around the television. It is as deeply etched in my memory, both as a child and an adult, as the iconic Four Corners theme, which I also own on vinyl.

The original news theme was composed by Peter Wall (pictured) and the late Tony Ansell during a weekend getaway with their families in the Hunter Valley in 1986.

Wall had a 40-year career in radio, beginning as an assistant producer for ABC Sydney before working in London and New York, and later starting his own business in 2005—the same year the cherished news theme was retired. Wall told the ABC, “I believe it’s the strongest piece of music we ever created.”

When asked about the value and impact of musical themes, Wall told Radioinfo:

“In my early life I sang leads in operettas, was a drum major and played instruments and sang in groups. Then my various production and media management roles gave me exposure to a wide range of electronic media so I became well equipped to know the type of music producers would want for their programs, shows and bulletins. My collaborator, Tony Ansell, was the genius in our partnership, a wonderful arranger and keyboard player.

Mostly these days TV stations don’t use a lot of introductory music in the fear that even 10 seconds is enough to motivate someone to switch stations. Take for example the 7.30 program on ABC TV – no theme, straight in from the news for a cold start. In the past we wrote three theme packages over the years for the 7.30 Report.

I believe it’s important for news programs to have an attention-grabbing theme to let audiences know that a bulletin is about to begin, then get out of the way for the reader and stories. But it’s obvious, sadly, that music for news and talk formats these days plays a less important role than it used to.”

It seems that ABC is evaluating whether this music can still play a significant role in brand recognition, which I believe it likely will.

“Every week more than 40 per cent of Australians come to ABC NEWS across digital, TV and radio* and we want to make sure we’re providing all of them the most impactful and contemporary experience that matches the strength and excellence of our journalism.

The new design is impactful and appealing for audiences and gives us a consistent look across all platforms. Our audience accesses our journalism across all platforms and mediums and the design needs to reflect that. The upgrade to the web and app improves the experience for users and adds features to let them personalize their news service.”