Peter Wall holding his and and Tony Ansell's score of the old theme music for ABC News. Credit:Janie Barrett As part of these discussions, the ABC has explored resurrecting a much-loved former theme which has since taken a new life as a dance-floor favourite. ABC Radio news bulletins begin with Majestic Fanfare, first used in 1952. Written by British composer Charles Williams, the song has been used continuously on ABC Radio since 1988. Triple J uses its own remix, which includes a sample from hip-hop group NWA's F---Tha Police. The broadcaster's television news bulletins, meanwhile, feature a theme composed by Martin Armiger, formerly of Melbourne rock band the Sports. It has used been since 2005, when it replaced the previous theme composed by Peter Wall and the late Tony Ansell. It was a controversial change at the time, with many sad to see the old theme go.

ABC newsreader Juanita Phillips. Credit:ABC TV Wall and Ansell's theme returned to prominence in 2010 when it was remixed by Perth band Pendulum. The dance remix hit number two on the Australian dance charts. "It was wonderful it was given a new life," composer Peter Wall said. "Dance floors go off when it comes on." Illustration: Matt Golding Wall confirmed the ABC approached him last year about bringing back his theme and commissioned an updated version. The idea was for variations on the theme to run across all platforms including ABC News24 and News Radio.

"I went down to the music room, searched high and low and found an old half-inch tape with the original recordings," said Wall, a former ABC radio manager who also co-wrote themes for The 7.30 Report, Lateline and Channel 10 News. The tape format, known as Dash 8, is now all but extinct but Wall eventually found a studio in Neutral Bay with a machine capable of lifting the tracks. The tape was so old it needed to be baked first in an oven for four hours to ensure the oxide on the tape didn't come off. "It was quite hairy," he said. "You only have one shot." It worked. The track was then sent to Los Angeles to be remixed by Australian electronic group Bag Raiders.

"I was blown away by the results," Wall said. "I don't think it's possible to do a better remix than they have done." But it may never see the light of day. Deciding on a single theme is a big decision for the ABC. Older radio listeners, in particular, are seen as averse to change. Complicated discussions about royalties are involved and it is hard to get the broadcaster's various divisions to agree. Fairfax Media understands the ABC has also considered using a revamped version of radio theme Majestic Fanfare across all platforms. An ABC spokesman said: "All broadcasters have ongoing conversations about on-air branding in the context of audience engagement.

"If the ABC decides to change broadcast themes or identity, we'll provide audiences with ample notice." ABC sources said high-level discussions are continuing, with a decision expected by October and an announcement by the end of the year. Peter Wall said the ABC should put the decision to a public vote. "The ABC has three existing options: our theme, the current TV theme or Majestic Fanfare," he said. "Otherwise they could create a new theme." He said he would be happy as long as the ABC uses an Australian composition, which would rule out Majestic Fanfare. "It's the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the theme should be written by an Australian," he said.