This is awesome. Can’t wait for the relaunch on Monday.
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If that image is a preview of the package we are about to get I am not a fan. Looks like a streaming platform content reel
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As for example:
But news organizations seem to be going vertical (maybe because of the video format?) - BBC News, for example:
VRT NWS Belgium:
… and its doppleganger, L1 Nieuws (regional news in the Netherlands):
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Majestic Fanfare is certainly historic, but the 80s-00s theme is iconic.
All the iterations of MF have stayed very much the same over the decades. For it to not sound stuffy and “old” for todays audiences it would need a significant remix and lengthening to play under the opening headlines.
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The theme was updated and modernised in 2005 but lasted only for 5 years
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The sets of ABC News are so dark and heavy with so much black.
This new lighter fresher look - will clash with the dark heavy sets.
No news on set refreshes too?
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They spent big bucks installing replica sets around the country, doubt they’re due for a refresh anytime soon 
NSW will get a new set once 7pm TV News moves to Paramatta.
Is that confirmed? Or will they do a Nine and just move the existing set?
They absolutely are due for a refresh if they are going big on a entire visual refresh of the news brand at every touch point
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Sure, that’s your opinion - but it’s highly unlikely the public broadcaster will seemingly spend (waste) taxpayers money on refreshing them when most aren’t that old.
I guess we can judge once we see what they do on-air next week.
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Looking forward to this. It’s not often the ABC news theme is performed live on air.
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cool im looking forward two i remember the old abc news theme when i was a baby till 7 years old 1998 to 2005
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I seem to recall there being copyright issues with the 2005-2010 theme, does that ring a bell with anyone?
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That rings a bell. When it was introduced, I think there was a version that lasted a couple of weeks before being changed. That might have been because of the copyright issues you mention.
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Wow, what a journey we have all been on!
Eight years since speculation on the now-current graphics package back in 2016. And now, we have come full circle regarding the fanfare!
2016 “Me” would be absolutely thrilled this consideration has eventually come to fruition!
Questions sent to the ABC’s YourSpace community last week (December 2023) and seen by The Australian, asked whether they watched or listened to its news services and if they were supportive of a new-look opening to the 7pm TV news.
They were asked what they thought of it, why they either liked or didn’t like it and whether it fitted in with what they “know of the ABC news”.
They were asked how they would feel if the new theme replaced the current one.
Thank you, ABC YourSpace focus group. 
According to the 2016 Fairfax/SMH article, Peter Wall was approached in the previous year of 2015. It just goes to show how invaluable his efforts to preserve the original recording has benefited almost 10 years later!
Wall confirmed the ABC approached him last year about bringing back his theme and commissioned an updated version.
“I went down to the music room, searched high and low and found an old half-inch tape with the original recordings,” said Wall, a former ABC radio manager who also co-wrote themes for The 7.30 Report, Lateline and Channel 10 News.
The tape format, known as Dash 8, is now all but extinct but Wall eventually found a studio in Neutral Bay with a machine capable of lifting the tracks.
The tape was so old it needed to be baked first in an oven for four hours to ensure the oxide on the tape didn’t come off.
“It was quite hairy,” he said. “You only have one shot.”
But, is it the remix by The Bag Raiders? 
It worked. The track was then sent to Los Angeles to be remixed by Australian electronic group Bag Raiders.
“I was blown away by the results,” Wall said. “I don’t think it’s possible to do a better remix than they have done.”
Even if it may not be, and is instead a different composition, the fact that Wall himself and David McDonald are happy, should instil confidence that they’ve done the new arrangement justice. Curious to hear the live performance on News Breakfast too.
Yes, there were between Wall, though it seems the way it was settled was when it was eventually omitted from the 2010-2017 revision:
“The first three notes are the same, played by the same instrument - the trumpet - and they’re even played in the same key, it jumps straight out at you,” Mr Wall said.
“I was just on the phone to a lawyer who said they’re exactly the same. You have to wonder if Mr Armitage was told to keep some link to ours to keep conservative viewers onside. As far as I’m concerned, though, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck.”
Mr Wall has not ruled out suing for breach of copyright, but has said he would write to the ABC first to seek clarification: “No one at the ABC ever approached me to use this work, and it’s clearly copying, so I’ll be writing to them to seek an explanation.”
Either way, onwards to Monday! 
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Wonder if anyone out there has the cap of the original 2005 one that was replaced
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Original (used for about 6 months):
Modified:
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As with past ABC News relaunches, I expect the side panels will change at the very least. Anyone who watches the bulletins can see how versatile this generation of sets are - will not be hard to change colours and make things brighter.
Looks like the new news website has either gone live or is available to more users. Another update to the news app this morning but no change to the layout.
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I honestly can’t tell the difference hahah
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