NBC News graphics (1983)

Four examples of NBC's 1983 news graphics.

[@jimscott2050]

The graphics were made by Dolphin Productions in New York City, NY. The head was Alan Stanley and the animation was done by Fred Kessler on a Scanimate made by Computer Image Corporation out of Denver, CO.

[@bmasters1981]

And they did splendid with 'em (especially Today-- far better than what we have now).

[@nedwart]

This is the updated package, which was made after someone complained that the earth was spinning the wrong way. True story. You've been uploading some real gems lately. Thanks!

[@VPR2B]

I remember that - hilarious!

[@TServo2049]

From what I heard, it was supposed to be the POV of the Space Shuttle flying around the Earth but everyone thought it was the Earth rotating backwards.

[@Shellinois]

I recall that story. You beat me to the comment.

[@JulianAlpsNews]

This graphics package was also used in Australia (by the Seven Network) and South Africa (by the SABC). Thank you for the upload!

[@wigwagstudios2474]

System IV!

[@VintageTVMemories]

This is absolute GOLD. I know I say that to you a lot- but I mean it every time I say it. You post some of the most amazing gems I have ever come across on KZbin. As a graphics geek myself, I appreciate that SO MUCH. Again: THANK YOU!

[@VPR2B]

My goal is to dazzle you! 😅 I thought I’d uploaded all my best stuff, but as I look through my files, I keep stumbling across things like this. I appreciate your comments - it motivates me to keep digging!

[@VintageTVMemories]

@@VPR2B Consider me dazzled! It makes me so happy that you upload this stuff. The networks certainly won't put this stuff out there - even 4 decades later. So, again: Thank you!

[@VPR2B]

@@VintageTVMemories They probably don’t even HAVE it, or if they do, it’s 5th generation VHS. Do you ever notice that when they run material from the archives it looks TERRIBLE? I never could figure that out.

[@VintageTVMemories]

@@VPR2B I have noticed that. I've also noticed the usage of a lot of KZbin screen captures. I actually wrote and erased that from my last comment! I see that our views on this stuff align quite nicely! I originally wrote: What's sad is that they (the networks) don't care enough to properly digitize their tape archive and at this point, tape rot is about to set in BIG TIME for 2-inch quad tapes, Umatic and early Betacam. It'll be lost forever. Tape is tough: but it only lasts for so long. I'm happy that SOMEBODY cared enough to back this up for his own personal archive AND share it with the world. I'm sure there are others out there with GEMS just sitting there collecting dust on a shelf but they either don't know how to digitize, don't know how to digitize PROPERLY or they're past the point of caring about sharing their gems with others. So many other tapes have found their way to a landfill because those who inherited them thought they were useless or worthless. Thank goodness SOMEONE cares! Again, I can't thank you enough. Here in eastern Canada, there's very little surviving media from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Our TV stations were reusing tapes regularly and archiving wasn't a priority. I have a few machines ready to go (Umatic, Betacam, etc.) and offered to digitize for them for FREE and never received a response. So, I just collect VHS and try to archive as many commercials and news programs as I possibly can- even if we're basically dealing with 240p/480p quality from VHS.

[@OvercastDays]

These are beautiful graphics!

[@PIXPromosMore]

The (In)famous "Wrong Way Globe" graphics...and if you have these, certainly you have the globe spinning the "Right" way too (I hope) EDIT: I Swear I passed Science in High School, these are the "Correct" graphics. But when they first debuted in '83, the Globe was turning the "Wrong" Way. Viewer complaints led to the correction.

[@VPR2B]

This is all I have. Are you sure the rotation is backwards? It looks correct to me.

[@PIXPromosMore]

@@VPR2B Sorry, they don't allow links for some reason...Anyway, Yes, your Video shows that "Correct" spin of the globe. But if you look for "NBC News Digest" Clips from 1983, you'll see the countries coming "Towards" you (Only lasted a few months before viewer complaints forced the change in '84)

[@VPR2B]

OK, you had me going there for a minute. I knew about the “wrong” versions but can’t recall if I laid eyes on it.

[@bmasters1981]

And also, this is far better than that half-hour omnibus-- you picked the cream of the crop, as it were; those others in that omnibus, IMO, were pretty lackluster.

[@BoredVHSlover]

my god you are the holy grail. man, just keep uploading. i dont care what it is. upload everything you have. i tip my hat to you. jesus christ.

[@user-vk5ld5uf8l]

Awesome!

[@NEPatriot]

The NBC News graphics from 1983 also have a significance for radio buffs. The music used under the Today Show, Digest and Bulletin GFX was also used on NBC Radio News affiliates until the end of NBC Radio or at least its merger into what is now Westwood One. WGCH Radio here in Greenwich, CT was such an affiliate.

[@JCNDCIII]

Is there not one for Nightly News? Odd they got rid of the nice TODAY Show music but let Sunrise have that awful sounding theme.