These themes are all based on the score from the 1968 movie 'Cool Hand Luke.' Al Primo, the new news director of WABC-TV New York in June of 1968, secured the rights to the music for his new news program. On November 11, 1968, WABC launched the music and Eyewitness News format.

As the format grew popular, the theme spread across the country to other ABC-owned stations like KABC Los Angeles, WLS Chicago, WXYZ Detroit, KGO San Francisco, KTRK Houston, and others during the 1970s.

The cuts from the original movie score served as the main theme until 1983, when the management of WLS-TV commissioned Frank Gari Productions to produce an updated and expanded package. This new package, called 'NewsPlus Series 2000,' was introduced to the ABC O&Os; during 1983-84, and in 1985 entered syndication to other stations. (Note: KABC did not pick up the Frank Gari package until the late '80s. They opted to use the original movie scores at 5 and 6, while using completely different synthesized themes composed by Frank Becker at 4 and 11. KGO used one of those themes for its 11pm broadcast during 1987).

NewsPlus became one of the most widely used news theme packages in the country. However, the theme is no longer in use. By 1994 most of the major markets had replaced the theme. However, the Nine network in Australia is still using Cool Hand Luke for its newscasts.

I urge you to download these classic themes. Chances are, you'll recognize the teletype rhythm and melody.

Eyewitness News '70s
The original Eyewitness News theme from 1969-84

Eyewitness News '70s
Another cut of the original Eyewitness News theme

Eyewitness News '70s
A rare cut of the original theme

Eyewitness News '70s
A cycling tease cut of the original music

Eyewitness News '80s
The main updated theme from 1983, featuring a new thematic bridge not present in the original Cool Hand Luke themes.

Eyewitness News '80s
A mixdown of the above main theme.

Eyewitness News '80s (1984)
The mixdown of the main theme in stereo (for those w/ fast computers).

Eyewitness News '80s
Opening cut used on KTRK, WLS, WABC, and others.

Eyewitness News '80s
This is a direct update of the original Cool Hand Luke theme. Used on WABC from 1984-85. Portions have appeared in cuts used on other stations. A great download.

Eyewitness News '80s
Action-packed promo theme.

Eyewitness News '80s
A more robust version of the above standard theme

Eyewitness News '80s
A cycling cymbal rhythm theme used for news teases.

Eyewitness News '80s
A cycling version of the main melody used for news teases.

Eyewitness News '80s
A cycling version of one of the original string cuts. KGO used this as a bumper from 1984-87. KTRK used it as a weather bumper from 1987-91.

Eyewitness News '80s
Used to end The 11 O'Clock Eyewitness News on WABC from 1984-85, and used on early morning shows on other stations in later years.

Eyewitness News This Morning
Used for morning shows during the '80s.

Eyewitness News '90s
The full main theme synthesized for the '90s.

Eyewitness News '90s
Another variation

Eyewitness News '90s
Cycling tease theme.

Eyewitness News '90s
A cycling version of the main melody used for news teases.

Eyewitness News Texas
A version with the same beat and rhythm as most Eyewitness themes, but a different melody custom-made for KTRK-TV Houston.

WABC Eyewitness News (1980)
This is a neat theme used by WABC to close The 6 O'Clock Eyewitness News from 1980-84. It is NOT based on the traditional Cool Hand Luke music. It's actually a cut from ABC's 1979 promo package, 'Still the One,' in its full length.