This theme and graphics package debuted on Monday, February 5, 2001. On that date, the National dropped the "Magazine" moniker and became a fully-integrated one-hour newscast.
The Razorfish-designed theme and CBC image package that replaced this one debuted on Sunday, September 30, 2001.
The current National theme and graphics debuted on Monday, January 9, 2006.
wow. i'm soo glad I found this. It was soo over the top but I loved it! I remember writing about this in my journal when I was a kid and my teacher thought I was nuts.
As a European (British), I have to say I do like this opening, but I think it is too "American" (no offence to Americans or indeed Canadians). Out of the two more modern intros, I prefer the blue and beige one, because it looked original and unique to Canada: the modern one is good, but isn't original (possibly copied from the BBC).
The irony is that this one was created by Canadians and the blue/beige one (If it's the one that followed this one that you mean) was created by Americans.
I can see how you might think this American --- probably because of the "big" sound -- but I've never been able to think of this as anything but uniquely Canadian, for the simple reason that it sends the message that news is important.
Another irony is that you mention how news is entertainment in USA. Well whilst this opening may emphasise news is important, it also reminds of a former opening to a programme known as "GMTV Newshour", which is like the UK's version of the Today Show.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
mansbridge really needs to go. so does lloyd robertson. why do these guys stay around for so long? my sense is they think the networks will falter without them, or some big ego thing like that
Why did they ever get rid of this graphics/music opening? This opening actually makes me want to watch the newscast that follows. A professional image akin to serious US newscasts. The Euro style crap they put on now is dull and boring. No wonder CBC attracts only stodgy seniors. This package must have been too exciting for them.
How funny! For me as a European, the present style of CBC seems much more informative and trustworthy. This one had too much of some kind of propaganda-ish, nazi feel to it. Tastes obviously differ!
Think it's an east-west thing in Canada. Out in Toronto they've got an anti-American thing going on, and prefer to emulate themselves after Europe. Out west we seem much more inclined to lean towards U.S. style marketing and packaging.
You have to understand that The National was, for a very long time, very much a national institution. In a way, the country stopped to watch it. The theme music and intros sent the message that you were going to hear the truth, even if any notion of truth is ultimately subjective.
So there was always a certain weight and gravitas to the idents and intros for the National.
@originalrhombus mainstream news is the same everywhere because editorially the elite allow only certain kinds of stories - war, famine in Africa, unemployment...and yet they either ignore or ridicule stuff like true spirituality that would maybe cause soldiers to put down their guns and other weapons and go back home.
Merci beaucoup :) I notice that there is a 1-800 number for tapes and transcripts at the end of that segment. I wonder if it would be possible to get hands on a full 2000-2002 opening by calling the CBC and ordering a tape for a specific broadcast date from that period? Maybe something momentous, like in the week after Sept 11th (though not *right* after Mansbridge had been up for 3 days straight :P)
(I'm still puzzled why they canned this so quickly after bringing it in. It's so well done!)
This is by far my favourite.
ecoomber 3 months ago
As if Peter Mansbridge and Wendy Messly were married, that must be the strangest office socials EVER!
Jetsgo10 3 months ago
This theme sounds like something from a Steven Spielberg movie... E.T. phone home!
jaworskij 8 months ago
Either you're with us...or you're with the terrorists. XD
yaumatei1994 8 months ago
The National will only recover in the ratings when Peter Mansbridge steps aside.
somewhatlongdong 1 year ago
@somewhatlongdong , yes, I love Wendy's hosting better.
jaworskij 8 months ago
You stated it perfectly. I live in the U.S. and listen to The National on the computer every night. The National is that good.
peterbilt2004 2 years ago
This theme and graphics package debuted on Monday, February 5, 2001. On that date, the National dropped the "Magazine" moniker and became a fully-integrated one-hour newscast.
The Razorfish-designed theme and CBC image package that replaced this one debuted on Sunday, September 30, 2001.
The current National theme and graphics debuted on Monday, January 9, 2006.
btm85bubs 2 years ago
This is a hell of a lot better than the opening the use today
somewhatlongdong 2 years ago
wow. i'm soo glad I found this. It was soo over the top but I loved it! I remember writing about this in my journal when I was a kid and my teacher thought I was nuts.
wl03bu 3 years ago
@wl03bu , it was your teacher who was nuts, not you.
jaworskij 8 months ago
Does anyone know where I can download this music bed. The CBC was so wrong to stop using it
barryblitstein 3 years ago 3
I don't know, but I also have the closing segment in my account, take a look.
QCnewsmusic 3 years ago
As a European (British), I have to say I do like this opening, but I think it is too "American" (no offence to Americans or indeed Canadians). Out of the two more modern intros, I prefer the blue and beige one, because it looked original and unique to Canada: the modern one is good, but isn't original (possibly copied from the BBC).
WorldNews92 3 years ago 3
The irony is that this one was created by Canadians and the blue/beige one (If it's the one that followed this one that you mean) was created by Americans.
I can see how you might think this American --- probably because of the "big" sound -- but I've never been able to think of this as anything but uniquely Canadian, for the simple reason that it sends the message that news is important.
In the United States, news is entertainment.
originalrhombus 2 years ago
Another irony is that you mention how news is entertainment in USA. Well whilst this opening may emphasise news is important, it also reminds of a former opening to a programme known as "GMTV Newshour", which is like the UK's version of the Today Show.
WorldNews92 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
mansbridge really needs to go. so does lloyd robertson. why do these guys stay around for so long? my sense is they think the networks will falter without them, or some big ego thing like that
somewhatlongdong 3 years ago
Why did they ever get rid of this graphics/music opening? This opening actually makes me want to watch the newscast that follows. A professional image akin to serious US newscasts. The Euro style crap they put on now is dull and boring. No wonder CBC attracts only stodgy seniors. This package must have been too exciting for them.
jredm 3 years ago
How funny! For me as a European, the present style of CBC seems much more informative and trustworthy. This one had too much of some kind of propaganda-ish, nazi feel to it. Tastes obviously differ!
aatox 3 years ago 2
Think it's an east-west thing in Canada. Out in Toronto they've got an anti-American thing going on, and prefer to emulate themselves after Europe. Out west we seem much more inclined to lean towards U.S. style marketing and packaging.
jredm 3 years ago 4
Cool! Thanks for the info! I've never thought of it like that before. :)
aatox 3 years ago
You have to understand that The National was, for a very long time, very much a national institution. In a way, the country stopped to watch it. The theme music and intros sent the message that you were going to hear the truth, even if any notion of truth is ultimately subjective.
So there was always a certain weight and gravitas to the idents and intros for the National.
originalrhombus 2 years ago
@originalrhombus mainstream news is the same everywhere because editorially the elite allow only certain kinds of stories - war, famine in Africa, unemployment...and yet they either ignore or ridicule stuff like true spirituality that would maybe cause soldiers to put down their guns and other weapons and go back home.
jaworskij 8 months ago
Folks, this is still my favourite. The Razorfish open was an acquired taste. Anybody got a full version of this one?
originalrhombus 3 years ago
Not in my case, but I've just add the closing segment.
QCnewsmusic 3 years ago
Merci beaucoup :) I notice that there is a 1-800 number for tapes and transcripts at the end of that segment. I wonder if it would be possible to get hands on a full 2000-2002 opening by calling the CBC and ordering a tape for a specific broadcast date from that period? Maybe something momentous, like in the week after Sept 11th (though not *right* after Mansbridge had been up for 3 days straight :P)
(I'm still puzzled why they canned this so quickly after bringing it in. It's so well done!)
originalrhombus 3 years ago
Nice that we finally have a clean portion of the short-lived 2001 "The National" open, but we're still looking for the FULL version!
johnnyafairbanks 4 years ago
Used only in 2001. A poorly-planned re-rebranding brought a new theme and graphics package in October 2001.
RetroWinnipeg 4 years ago 2
That intro brings back memories of Stockwell Day and his dissident MPs.
tvlondon 4 years ago