Have you ever heard a piece of music playing, and instantly think of a television show, as it is the piece which the show opens with?
An important part of a television program is the opening and closing songs that accompany rolling credits. The opening piece in particular, is probably one of the most distinctive features of the show, and something which the audience should be able to immediately relate to. Since it plays at the beginning of every episode, and is usually very catchy, it can easily endear itself to the audience. For example, hearing the Friends theme song, one will instantly remember the show. The music is almost like the logo of a brand, something that people can instantly recognize.
As such, the opening and closing pieces of music are integral to the marketing of the show. A badly chosen piece can have a detrimental effect on a show’s popularity and viewership. Most of the most popular shows on television right now have extremely distinctive pieces of music, which reflect the atmosphere or theme of the show.
For example, this is the opening piece from House, a medical drama. One can probably sense the tension in the music:
Here is the opening theme from Big Bang Theory, a comedy involving two scientists as protagonists. It is more lighthearted and reflects the scientific theme of the show:
Here are two other themes..most people should be able to recognize both of them!
