NBC Nightly News Credits - 1979 (Henry Mancini) - *STEREO*

[@JHollowayNetwork]

The news set was similar the ones used by NBC O&Os at the time (KNBC Los Angeles, WMAQ Chicago, WRC-TV Washington, D.C., WNBC-TV New York and WKYC Cleveland (yes, NBC used to own a station in Cleveland)).

[@DesiluTrek]

I loved those fake ceilings after I learned how they were miniatures hung in front of the camera.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

Some affiliates had the octagon ceiling on their news set

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

@@DesiluTrek I suppose showing the actual lighting rig wasn't classy.

[@ibgreen1998]

@@ericsamuelson5656NewsCenter 4 at WNBC had the actual “ceiling” of the sets

[@untexan]

Back then NBC News had this really strange production habit of ending the program, running a few commercials, and then coming back live for the credits with the anchor sitting on a darkened set with no sound. It was awkward, and also it was giving the viewers a head start on finding another channel to watch. I don’t think it’s posted anymore, but there used to be a Nightly News on KZbin where Jessica Savitch anchored and they clearly did not tell her when they were coming back live. She had her feet up or something, noticed she was live, and freaked out on the studio staff in the background behind the NBC copyright screen.

[@andrewd.conard5088]

I would love to see that clip of Jessica Savitch.

[@RazorFoxDV]

It's like he's on the bridge of a news spaceship.

[@Ken_in_Wisconsin]

I remember hearing the news theme on tv back in the day. Then later when I heard the version released on record, it didn't sound the same to me at all. I am still keeping an eye out for an old video clip from back then that will include the music. I don't think any of us has it yet.

[@tkaye2]

0:23 is where you can tell Chancellor starts getting tired of sitting in the dark.

[@DesiluTrek]

😂

[@briangreenberg6021]

Henry did a great job. I think it’s NBC’s best news theme.

[@nedwart]

Thanks for another banger

[@2011paramedic]

Nightly News Has Been A Presentation Of NBC News!

[@JHollowayNetwork]

Long before "The Mission".

[@RealC2rblx]

I've got some confidence when I say that the stereo theme was NOT the original recording - several instruments were much more subtle in the original 1977 recording. And I should know - I have the original theme from a trade!

[@VPR2B]

Would love to hear the original!

[@RealC2rblx]

Here you are, the original 150-second cut. Footage only there because the software I was using to export would not allow me to just upload audio on a blank screen@@VPR2B kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2Gvo2Bmr5xrfck

[@VPR2B]

@@RealC2rblx Thanks! Unfortunately, when I try to play it I receive a notice that it's blocked in the US due to copyrighted material. Maybe this has something to do with the video you used as placeholder?

[@RealC2rblx]

You would be right, it turns out I cannot get away from the overlords of copyright, Paramount! Regardless, I uploaded it again. This is cut 1 of 6, with the final 2 cuts being of an unused logo for NBC, and the other cuts being a :33, :10, and :15 second version of the theme, in that order.@@VPR2B kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZKvoZaNa9ZqZsk

[@VPR2B]

@@RealC2rblx Thanks -- got it this time. It sounds pretty similar on first listen, but I'll download it and see if I can do some A/B comparisons with what I uploaded. As you're probably aware, the audio I pulled was from the Henry Mancini "The Theme Scene" LP, which is why it's in stereo. I always thought it sounded like the same recording, but could be wrong.

[@connoret]

I’ve seen a clip with this music and Linda Ellerbee at the desk.

[@FlyForB6]

In several recordings I’ve seen from this era it appears the full credits sequence is omitted (it returns from commercials straight to the NBC copyright card with abbreviated theme music). Did they not roll this after every broadcast?

[@VPR2B]

I don't think it was rolled every night -- only when there was time. From what I remember though, at the very least there was usually a little bit of the music and the NBC News closing animation.

[@erictravis5457]

If I remember correctly, they only played the full theme and rolled all credits on Friday evenings. I was 7 or 8 at the the time but lived this theme.

[@sherryhannah498]

I hope y'all will reply to this if this was 1970 this must have been before the fall because the Proud N wasn't there