BBC News Virtual Studio

I will always be a huge fan of George Fenton’s themes for the BBC from the 1980s through to the David Lowe takeover in 99. Personal favourites of mine: Six O’Clock News 1984-93 and the recomposed versions for the 93 relaunch. And, of course, Newsnight.
Notwithstanding the great compositions of David Lowe, which it’s fair to say, have stood the test of time.

My favourite ones is the Nine O'Clock News 1988-1993 and all the versions of the 1993 themes

That were used until 1999 of course

They've certainly aged better than the 1999 David Lowe theme, but probably wouldn't have done if they'd remained in use for the last 20+ years - indeed at the time they were replaced they did feel somewhat dated.

Even though it was probably the best time to try and compete considering the dissaray GMTV was in at the time.

This is a very good point! But I have to point out that the Tagesschau still uses it's 1950s theme tune, it has been rearranged many times that's true, but it's still in use. So I am starting to think that if Fenton's themes were rearranged a few times like Tagesschau.....I don't think they would have felt dated, still this is my point of view, I love exchanging opinions!

I never really liked the 1993 version of the 9 O'clock News music. I thought what went before it was much better in terms of drama and importance.

On the subject of drama and importance, the Daddy of this was the 93 Six O'clock News music. Still unsurpassed to this day imo.

The two versions for the 9 o’clock from 1984 to 93 were both epic. Amazing compositions. The Six theme from the 93 relaunch was also very “cool”.

I think this is a really good point. It's only like ITN which has had the News at Ten theme rearranged numerous times since 1967 and it remains fresh to this day. I've never really understood why the BBC haven't considered reintroducing the various Fenton themes for Breakfast/One/Six/Nine but reworked into a similar style like they did in 1993. That would ensure brand consistency whilst introducing a little variety for the various bulletins. I'm sure David Lowe could manage it - as someone pointed out earlier, he did a good job with the Election theme recently. It's strange that the BBC has taken this very approach with Newsnight which has retained the same basic theme for decades but has been refreshed periodically. Why they couldn't do that for the national bulletins is beyond me.

Anyway, I agree with the consensus that the Six '93 theme was the best version. The '84 version was great but I think the '93 version was much more dramatic. I can still recall watching Neighbours in the mid-90s and waiting with anticipation for the Six to start each night!

But ITN has used variations on that theme constantly since it was introduced. The Fenton themes haven't been used on BBC News for nearly 22 years. At this point it would be the same as introducing a new theme - most viewers would not recognise them. Also they aren't exactly the definitive BBC News theme in the same way that the News at Ten theme is. The pre-1981 theme and the Lowe themes have been in use for longer and I'm sure that most people would more closely associate Lowe's music with BBC News. Reintroducing Fenton would be nostalgia rather than a reworking of THE iconic BBC News theme.

While I'm sure David Lowe could do something great with them - like his reworking of Arthur - if you gave him the brief of maintaining the beeps and creating a big orchestral score - I'm sure he could come up with something great by himself! Also it's hardly like Fenton is the only good orchestral BBC News score they've ever had - BBC World 1997 is brilliant as was David Arnold's Newshour theme for the World Service.

True but as itsrobert has said the David Lowe theme has now been flogged to death and has aged terribly.....

Only cos they've bogged it all down with the added strings. The original music still sounds great.