Catchy Comedy, Weigel Broadcasting’s new sitcom-centric, over-the-air, national network, recently debuted with a line-up of all-time favorite TV comedies and a playful musical theme designed to appeal to viewers’ funny bones. Created by Stephen Arnold Music, the network’s sonic branding supports its “Catch All the Laughs” attitude and evokes the spirit of beloved shows as diverse as I Love Lucy, All in the Family, Cheers and Night Court.
“The music makes people smile and lets them know that Catchy Comedy is a destination for fun,” says Will Givens, Weigel Broadcasting’s Senior Vice President for Network Marketing. “This music is important to establishing our brand and putting viewers into the right emotional state. It’s our sonic identity.”
The sonic branding is based on a five-note theme that has the simplicity, timing and punch of a great one-liner. It’s charming, memorable and crafted to take people by surprise. Stephen Arnold Music President Chad Cook says the studio put a lot of effort into those five notes. “We explored many musical ideas before we found the perfect hook,” he observes. “Once we had it, it became the foundation for everything else.”
The studio wove the theme into a long-form network anthem and from there produced numerous shorter pieces for promos, IDs and other marketing media. “The theme is modular and incorporates a range of musical figures and flourishes utilizing drum fills, organ riffs, mallet lines to name a few,” says Cook. “That gave us the flexibility to create a variety of short versions with different leads in. We also produced multiple endings with exaggerated comedic flourishes via bassoon, whistles, kazoo, and upright bass. We provided the network’s editors with all the stems. They can use them as a toolkit to produce whatever they need.”
The theme also lends itself to stylistic variation through alternate orchestrations and tempos. “We can create a spot for Cheers that sounds more modern than one for The Dick Van Dyke Show,” observes Givens. “Everything will have a common comedic feel, but with different temperaments. While we’re currently focused on classic comedies, at some point in the future we may add contemporary shows and this theme will also work for that. It’s sound is timeless.”
Givens adds that the sonic branding is the perfect complement to Catchy Comedy’s visual branding, which is based on retro colors and geometric shapes. “Our animation team choreographed the motion graphics to align with the beat of the music,” he says. “It fits seamlessly.”
Even more imaginative uses for Catchy Comedy’s sonic branding may be coming. “We’ve talked about a lyric version,” notes Givens. “We’re super thrilled with the work. Stephen Arnold Music came ready to rock, collaborated well with our team and delivered great music.”
About Stephen Arnold Music
Often referred to as the most-heard, least-known composers in the world, Stephen Arnold Music's creativity is experienced every day in more than 500 million homes worldwide. Based in Dallas, Texas, The World Leader In Sonic Branding® has 30 years of success delivering impactful, brand-defining music that makes a difference for today's top networks, cable channels, content creators, television stations, digital media outlets, production companies, corporations and advertising agencies. With multiple Emmys®, Promax Gold, ADDY and MUSE awards to their credit, Stephen Arnold Music's specialized approach and commitment to the power of sonic branding, research, state-of-the-art production and unparalleled customer service is at the core of its promise. Stephen Arnold Music continues to set the creative bar in a highly competitive content landscape. For more information, please visit http://www.stephenarnoldmusic.com
