SAM & WETA PBS Hit All the Right Notes
At SAM, we’ve been creating music for PBS stations since we got our start over 30 years ago, and we’re especially proud of the collaboration we have with WETA PBS. Last year, SAM’s audio identity for WETA was rated one of the fastest growing sonic brands in the country according to The SoundOut Index 2023 report — a leading authority in sonic brand testing. Their research shows that listeners, including Gen Z’s, are responding to and connecting with WETA’s audio signature in a big way.
View Report HighlightsCheck out some of the sonic branding work we’ve created for WETA PBS over the years. Whether you’re a PBS station or another leading brand, let’s make some music together!
WETA Arts
WETA Arts, the magazine-style arts and culture program, returns for its 10th season on the PBS member station with a new sound courtesy of Stephen Arnold Music. The new music package reflects the show’s take on DC’s diverse art scene. WETA Arts is also the first show to utilize WETA’s sonic branding.
WETA PBS – Signal In The Static
In the weeks leading up to PBS News’ national convention coverage, WETA PBS wanted to engage its primetime audience with a promotional spot — Signal In the Static — that celebrates its storied legacy as a leader in public media in Washington D.C. SAM’s creative team came up with a custom orchestral piece delicately led by strings and French horns to beautifully underscore clips from WETA’s past and set the nostalgic tone. Throughout the score are references WETA’s iconic sonic logo, also developed by SAM, creating deeper ties to the WETA brand.
WETA PBS – Rebrand Promo
Stephen Arnold Music supported the rebranding of WETA PBS, a flagship public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital, by creating its first-ever sonic brand. The classically-inspired sonic signature, featuring a modern, upbeat sound performed on piano and strings, will be used alongside new visual branding on WETA and each of its five sub-channels (WETA-HD, WETA UK, PBS KIDS, WORLD and WETA METRO) as well as the popular WETA Classical superpower radio station. An abbreviated production slate is also utilized on WETA National Productions, which ranges from PBS NewsHour and Washington Week to Ken Burns documentaries.
WETA PBS – Classical
Additionally, the studio produced a long-form anthem based on the sonic signature, specifically designed for branding promos, program teases and other core marketing media. “It gave us an opportunity to develop the theme and give it a cheerful lift,” says Cook. “We played with the emotions by tapping into not only the qualities of the instruments, but how those instruments are performed.”
WETA UK
Stephen Arnold Music captured the drama, intrigue, romance, action and mystery of WETA UK’s expansive programming in providing the musical theme for the station’s new on-air image campaign. The uplifting orchestral theme plays under a lively montage of clips from UK series, both classic and contemporary, while supporting the theme, “British Television at Its Best.”
WETA PBS – Upbeat
Stephen Arnold Music (SAM) composed the sonic brand and core music package for the WETA PBS group. As the brand evolves, SAM continues to produce new compositions to support the sonic brand. In this case, this upbeat music track supports WETA programming and image promotions.
About SAM
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 content creators, networks, cable channels, television stations, digital media outlets, experiential, film, 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.