Soundtrack Research

The opening soundtrack is a key part of the news as it prepares the viewer for what they are about to watch: that is, usually, a serious look at the days news that is both relevant and up-to-date. I looked at a number of different soundtracks so that our report would reflect these values.

BBC News

From this soundtrack, I was able to establish some key criteria for a news theme tune. Firstly, the song must possess a strong, driving beat to build up tension into the first headline, and reflect the punctual nature of the news. The percussion element is also often one repeated phrase which further helps to create this driving rhythm, while acting as a countdown to the first story. Occasionally, a large bass drum intervenes, which adds texture, while reflecting the serious stories that are about to be reported.

This underlying beat is then continued during the headlines, to maintain this sense of urgency, and keep the viewers attention.

A soaring synth sound is used over the top of this percussion, rising to a crescendo at the end. This reflects the grandiose scale of the stories and news, while the crescendo builds further tension, completes the countdown, and reflects the severity of the upcoming story.

ABC News

Similarly, this has a fast, urgent tempo with a repetitive drum beat which, again, creates urgency and reflects the importance of the upcoming news. There is a similar drum roll, every now and then, to add texture and reflect the severity of the news.

There is no synth sound but instead brass instruments are used for the melody to further reflect the importance of the news, while a similar crescendo is used at the end, building up to the first story.

ITV News

Finally, ITV News uses a similar repeated drum beat that lies underneath the melody, while the melody itself is comprised from brass instruments, like ABC News, which creates a sense of urgency and reflects the grandiose nature of the news. A crescendo is again used to build up to the first story.

The chime is repeated throughout the intro, and then between each headline, to emphasize the end of one headline and the start of another.

Overall, it seems I  must use a repeated drum/bass phrase on which I can build a melody, which can then be carried on underneath the headlines. This melody could be built from brass instruments or a synth sound, and then should rise to a crescendo before the first headline. I could also use a bass drum to create further urgency if needed,  while I could use this in between each headline, to act as a marker.