NBC Chimes

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About this sound

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The classic NBC chimes three-note tone played as a network ident and transition sting, now used in videos and edits to signal broadcasting or a reveal.

The NBC chimes are three clear bell-like notes in a descending then ascending pattern, instantly recognisable as a television network signature. The tones are clean, bright and formal, with a short sustain that lets them cut through dialogue without overwhelming it. Hearing them suggests an announcement, a station break or the start of something official, which is why the sound still feels authoritative decades after it was first used on radio and television broadcasts. That familiarity gives even casual edits a polished broadcast finish.

The three notes, G, E and C, were introduced by the National Broadcasting Company for its radio network in the late 1920s to signal station identification and program transitions. The initials also matched its parent company, General Electric Company, helping the melody stick as a corporate signature. It later moved to television, became one of the first registered audio trademarks in the United States, and survived as NBC's sonic logo. Online, creators reuse that history to instantly frame clips as broadcasts, announcements or retro television moments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the NBC chimes?

The NBC chimes are a three-note sonic logo made of the tones G, E and C played in sequence. The short, bell-like sting was used to identify NBC radio and television broadcasts and signal transitions between programs or segments.

Where do the NBC chimes come from?

They originated with the National Broadcasting Company in the late 1920s for radio station identification. The notes doubled as a reference to parent company General Electric Company, and the sound later carried over to NBC television as its enduring network ident.

How do creators use the NBC chimes sound effect?

Creators place the sting at the start of a mock broadcast, on a title card, or right before an announcement or reveal. Its formal, instantly familiar tone makes a clip feel like official television without needing any extra explanation or setup.