Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Background

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation was established in 1932 as the Australian Broadcasting Commission, though its origins can be traced back to the establishment of the Australian Broadcasting Company in 1924. The ABC is a public-funded broadcaster akin to the BBC in the United Kingdom, funded through grants from the Australian Government, yet tasked with maintaining political independence. Like the BBC, they started as a radio broadcaster and originally charged listeners a license fee, though this was abolished in 1948. The ABC launched their television service in 1956, a few months after what would become the Nine Network made Australia's first TV broadcast. The ABC adopted the original lissajous figure as their logo in 1963 following a design competition. The figure took on it's more familiar classic design in 1975 to mark the ABC's launch of color transmission. In 1983, as part of a major restructure, the Austalian Broadcasting Commission was renamed the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. By 2001, ABC had begun broadcasting on digital television, launching a new metallic logo to coincide as well as the new ABC Kids channel, making ABC the first major network in Australia to have a digital multichannel. This channel was short lived, however and was shut down in 2003 to cut costs. In 2002, the ABC marked its 70th anniversary with a modification of its new logo, returning to a more traditional design. In 2005, ABC launched its second digital multichannel, ABC2 (later ABC Comedy), this was followed by a second attempt at a digital kids' channel, ABC3 (now ABC ME), which launched in 2009. Around this time, the main ABC channel was renamed to ABC1, to compliment ABC2. However, this rename would be short lived, as by 2014, the channel had returned to its original name, while also re-instating the classic Lissajous figure as a primary logo 13 years after it was retired on-air, as well as the iconic three-note jingle which hadn't been used on air since 2005.

1st (known) ID (1959-1961)

Nickname: "Transmitter"

ID: Over a dark background with thin, wavy clouds at the center, we see a transmitter tower sitting on an Earth globe. It is emitting constant signals from the top of the structure, which are illustrated by circular pulses. The letters "A.B.C" (representing the name of the broadcaster and in a sans serif font) suddenly "pop" upon to the center of the screen.

FX/SFX: The signals emitting from the tower, the sudden appearance of the initials.

Music/Sounds: Silent.

Availability: Long since extinct. See the video at the bottom of the page for this ident, and the idents below.

Editor's Note: TBA

2nd (known) ID (1961-mid 1960s)

Nicknames: "Atom", "Earth Globe"

ID: On a dark, hazy background representing space, we see a rotating globe of the earth a la Universal Pictures. Points of light (seen as small dots) begin to encircle the globe like the electrons of an atom, leaving lines behind them. As the trails are completed, a TV-tube shape with the letters "ABC" suddenly appears over the globe. After a few seconds, the shape splits into three,the first shape containing" A", the middle "B" and the last "C".

FX/SFX: The globe rotating, the motion of the "electrons", the splitting of the tube.

Music/Sounds: An abridged version of the ABC's signature news theme, Majestic Fanfare,which was composed by Charles Williams in 1943 (Although, the available recording of this logo may have been sourced from the start of a news bulletin.)

Availability: Same as above.

Editor's Note: TBA

3rd (known) ID (1968-early 70's)

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Nickname: "Aussie Globe"

ID: We see several red squares form below on a black/blue gradient background. Then, the camera pans inside of one row, and a yellow globe forms in the distance. The camera pans through and up out of the row, and the globe, with a glass ABC logo on it and a map of Australia engraved on the globe, floats to the top, rotating. The ABC logo flies off the right of the globe and toward us. Light bars are seen on the reflection of the logo.

Variants:

On programs aired during the night, the squares are purplish an a swirling purplish Milky Way galaxy forms behind the logo.
For programs broadcast via satellite, the words "BY SATELLITE" appears circled in below the logo.

FX/SFX: The squares, globe, and ABC logo; very impressive mid-'80s animation here!

Music/Sounds: An uplifting orchestral tune with drums, horns, flutes, and bells, ending with a tinkling sound. The "Milky Way" variant lacks the tinkling sound, however.

Music/Sounds Variant: Sometimes, an announcement might be heard during the logo, advising what the next program is.

Availability: Rare. The night time variant was also used for ABC releases on video during this time period. The daytime and 'By Satellite' variants are extinct.

Editor's Note: TBA

10th ID (1987-January 25, 1988)

Nickname: "ABC Ribbons"

ID: We see several silver ribbons swirling around on a dark blue background. They form an unidentifiable shape at first, but as the camera zooms in the center, spins around, and zooms out, we see a solid formation of the ABC logo (a series of twisting lines) set against a brown floor. "ABCTV" fades in above.

Variant: A Christmas variant was used during Christmas Eve of 1987.

FX/SFX: The ribbons forming the logo; nice animation for 1987.

Music/Sounds: A series of synth choir sounds with a four-note synth chime tune, ending with an orchestral hit.

Availability: Extinct. only used for a short period of time, check old tapes for this one.

Editor's Note: TBA

11th ID (January 26, 1988-1995)

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Nicknames: "Man-made Textures of Australia", "Nature Textures Of Australia"

ID: Well, we see the glass ABC logo turning upward against a background split into thirds that contains one of various image styles relating to Australian heritage.

Variants:

Feathers: We see white feathers in a row moving from left to right on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a pine cone.

Handrail: We see a handrail going down on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a shadow walk past the handrail.

Ashes: We see wood on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see fire spreading among some ashes.

Motor Boat: We see waves of water on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand pulling a motor.

Afternoon Tea: We see a door closing on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand pouring a pot of tea into an unseen tea cup.

Leaves: We see leaves dangling from a tree moving slightly on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see leaves from a plant.

Snake Skin: We see a wooden fence with raindrops falling on it on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see black snake skin with yellow spots.

Outback Train: We see some white marble on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a train quickly zooming past us, leaving only the sky in view.

Transistor Radio: We see a ceiling fan spinning on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle, we see a hand operating an transistor radio.

Skyscrapers: We see marble moving with left to right on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a view of skyscrapers.

Flowers: We see an artistic image of flowers on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see flowers with dew falling from them.
Bush Fire Hose: We see a bush fire on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see someone holding a hose.

Baby: We see a white baby shirt hanging on a clothes line on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a baby's hand on it's cot.

Ballet: We see images of ballet clothing on the top and bottom rows moving from left to right, and in the middle row, we see a hand tying ballet shoes.
Ice: We see images of what look like belt materials on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see what appears to be ice.
Curtains: We see images of a fence on the top and bottom rows, and the middle row, we see a moving image of a curtain flowing.

Tide: We see some rocks on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a tide come crashing down.
Noir: We see some blurry images on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see what appears to be a balcony rail.

Didgeridoo: We see black trees at sunset on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a man playing a didgeridoo.

Jazz: We see a wall on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a man playing a saxophone.

Beach: We see water moving on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see sand dunes.

Bush Windmill: We see wood on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a bush windmill operate.

Gold Panning: We see rocks in a pot of water on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand panning for gold in a water filled pot.

Pottery: We see images of art materials move from the left to the right on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand making pottery.

Cave Painting: We see the walls of cave on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see an aboriginal cave painting of people holding hands.
Rainforest: We see what looks like mist on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see what appears to be some sort of plant.

Reflection: We see some sort of handles on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a reflection of a pier rippling.

Sand: We see waves washing over sand on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see rocks.

Rodeo: We see some leaves on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see some boots on a fence.

Wattle: We see a side-scrolling image of what appears to be gum-tree bark on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row we see wattle.

Rock Pebbles: We see a water-waving distorted image of rock pebbles on the top and bottom rows and in the middle we see an image of what looks like a river.

Cattle Drive: We see cattle run past a fence on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a man holding his belt.

Seashells: We see moving images of various colored seashells on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a still image of a palm tree.

Desert: We see sand on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see some unknown image.

Outback: We see sand and a lizard walking on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see bark.

Swing: We see ground on the top and bottom rows, and the middle row, we see a swing moving.
River: We see what appears to be water moving in the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see an unknown image.
Train Commute: We see blurry moving images on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we someone reading a newspaper.

Bush Tea: We see wood with stuff on it on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand holding a cup of tea with steam coming out of it.

Boiling Water: We see a grey forest with smoke on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a boiling pot of water.

Cattle Truck: We see a moving image of a cattle truck on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand on a black rail.
Cave: We see rippling images on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a still image of a cave wall.
Tractor: We see piles of haystacks on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a hand on a steering wheel.
Sprinkler Tap: We see images of a hose pipe on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a hand turning on the tap.
Outback Fire: We see images of a fire on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see an unknown image.

Special: We see a marble-like texture on the top and bottom rows, and in the middle row, we see a crystal-like lake effect. Once the ABC logo flips in, the lake effect fades away, leaving the middle with the same marble texture as the top and bottom rows. The word "SPECIAL" (with the same glass effect) then zooms out from the center of the screen as the ABC logo fades out. Depending on the variant, either the background fades out (with the word "SPECIAL" remaining on a black background), or the word fades out with the background.

Bicentennial: We start off with the Australian Bicentennial logo (consisting of a green banner with two yellow lines in it shaped in the continent of Australia) on a black background. It then flips downwards, eventually turning into the ABC logo. At the same time, the same background from the 'Special' ident fades in.

FX/SFX: The images and logo turning upward. Great CGI..

Music/Sounds: It normally used an gentle uplifting fanfare with a horn section, ending with six synth bell/choir notes (the last three would later become the trademark ABC jingle), and would be remixed depending on the variant. Other sounds relating to the imagery would be used, as well (The normal jingle was heard on the Leaves, Cave Painting, Snake Skin, River, Rainforest, Tide, Ashes, Desert Flower, Desert, Seashells, Skyscrapers, Wattle, Rock Pebbles, Sand and Cave IDs with the sounds intact). The Special variant was usually accompanied with an announcer.

Availability: Most of the ID's are obviously extinct. The Bush Tea ID makes a surprise appearance on The Best Of The Late Show Volume 3 VHS (it was part of a joke to pretend that the show cut to a boring documentary about birds). The Bicentennial ID was also used as a home video logo for the release of From The Outback To The Sea - Images Of The Australian Bicentennial Year. There are probably more ID's than the ones pictured and mentioned above.

Editor's Note: It's a favorite of some people, especially those in Australia. Sometimes, the ABC logo is not centered right (this is noticeable on the Gold Panning, Pottery, Sprinkler Tap, Jazz, Bush Fire Hose, Didgeridoo, Bush Tea, Tractor, Cattle Drive, Cattle Truck, Afternoon Tea, Transistor Radio, Ballet, Baby, Motor Boat and Train Commute IDs) .

12th ID (1995-1996)

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Nicknames: "Scribbly ABC", "It's Your ABC"

ID: We see some people doing many actions, then someone (or the same people) draws the ABC logo. Then the video turns black. Later, "abc" appears next to the logo.

Variants:

From January 1996 until July 1998, the footage is filmed in a single shot and is in black and white, the ABC logo fades towards the end and after the video fades out, the words "it's your abc" appear.
Starting in late November 1996 or early December 1996, additional text appears below "it's your abc", giving the info on who was in the ident or where the ident was filmed.

FX/SFX: Mostly all-live action.

Music/Sounds: Depends on the variant, usually ending with the three-note jingle.

Availability: Extinct, as many ABC IDs.

Editor's Note: TBA

14th ID (January 1, 2001-2002)

Standard Versions

Variants

Nicknames: "The National Brodcaster", "ABC TV Reflections"

ID: On a black background with many yellow lights, we take many close-ups on the ABC logo. Then, the familiar ABC logo, without the "over and under" design (seen on many of the previous ID's), zooms out tumbling, then, "The National Broadcaster" fades in below. Later, three stars appears one-by-one on the logo in sync with the jingle. Sometimes, the ABC website may fade in below the text.

Trivia: This ID was made by Mish Mash Multimedia.

Variants: There was also many variants, which had the ABC logo on the close-up part showing many videos, and different text replaces the "The National Broadcaster" slogan. Examples include "ABC Rural", "ABC Science", "ABC Natural History" and "Triple J".

FX/SFX: The logo forming.

Music/Sounds: A tribal tune with monks singing three times. The three-note jingle is also heard at the end.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: TBA

15th ID (2002-2003)

Nickname: "70th Anniversary"

ID: A silver ring is seen on a fireplace, an ice background or a leaf background. Then, a light passes on the silver ring, making it twist itself to make the ABC logo (back to the "over and under" design). When the ID is finished, the logo is in the right with the words "everyone's" on the left.

Variants:

For the ID's first year, the "everyone's" text is not shown and the ABC logo is in the center. Below the ABC logo, the text "Celebrating 70 years" and the website is seen below.
Abridged variations also exist.

FX/SFX: The background, the light, the logo twisting.

Music/Sounds: A synth piece ending with the three-note jingle. The sounds relating to the imagery was also used.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: TBA

16th ID (2003-2005)

Nickname: "Everyone's ABC"

ID: A video of everyday life is seen, with many stripes of many colors passing throughout, which at the end, they make the word "every", a word which depends on the variant, and the ABC logo. When the ID is formed, the word (not "every") changes to "one's".

FX/SFX: Mostly live action.

Music/Sounds: Varies by ID.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: TBA

17th ID (2005-2008)

An ANZAC day variation
The very last ident made in this era, promoting the upcoming rebrand of the channel to ABC1

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Nickname: "Yours", "I Am Australian"

ID: There are a few different versions of this ID.

The main ID consists of a compilation of Australians singing "I Am Australian" by the Seekers. A short version of this also exists.
Other IDs, consist of ABC presenters discussing various topics, e.g. in the New Year period, they give us their new year's resolutions
Another set of IDs consist of prominent Australians discussing the role of the ABC in their lives, this is known as "ABC Stories"
An additional subset, known as "With You, for Life" highlighting how the ABC has been with Australians throughout their lives, has a girl moving through various phases of life as different ABC presenters appear, starting with the Toys from iconic children's show Play School when the girl is young.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ID featured a series of Australians singing "We Are Australian" from their homes.

FX/SFX: See the 19th ID

Music/Sounds:

Originally, A cover of "I Am Australian" by The Seekers, sung by a female singer. the "ABC Stories" IDs use an instrumental version of this.
Later IDs use various generic music cues
The "With You For Life" ID opens with a music box version of the Play School theme, before segueing a slow, soulful version of the Tourists' "I Only Want to Be With You"

Availability: Current. Since 2019, these are being used in tandem with the next ID.

Editor's Note: Very nice IDs. The ones with "We Are Australian" will make Australians feel very patriotic, while the "With You, For Life" IDs will be heartwarming and nostalgic for many Australians who grew up watching ABC from childhood.