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Interval signal

Characteristic sound used in broadcasting

Characteristic sound used in broadcasting

% https://www.intervalsignals.net/sounds/ukg-bbcws_b_interval_signal_170701.mp3 \new Staff="bbc" {b'2 2 c''1}\ \magnifyMusic 0.7{2 2 1} \new Lyrics \with{alignAboveContext="bbc"} \lyricsto "1"{B -- B -- C} \midi{\tempo 4=106 \set Staff.midiInstrument = "electric piano 1"}

An interval signal, or tuning signal, is a characteristic sound or musical phrase used in international broadcasting, numbers stations, and by some domestic broadcasters, played before commencement or during breaks in transmission, but most commonly between programs in different languages.

It serves several purposes:

  • It helps a listener using a radio with an analog tuner to find the correct frequency.
  • It informs other stations that the frequency is in use.
  • It serves as a station identifier even if the language used in the subsequent broadcast is not one the listener understands.

The practice began in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s and was carried over into shortwave broadcasts. The use of interval signals has declined with the advent of digital tuning systems, but has not vanished. Interval signals were not required on commercial channels in the United States, where jingles were used as identification.

List of interval signals by station

Radio stationPlayable sound
AGO Rádio Nacional de Angola:
Argentina Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior: First eight notes of "Mi Buenos Aires querido" by Carlos Gardel, followed by people saying the station's name in eight languages.\header{ title = "Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior" }
Bangladesh Bangladesh Betar: A tune composed by Samar Das.\header{tagline = ##f title="Interval signal for Radio Bangladesh"}
Belarus Radio Belarus: "Motherland, my dear" (Belarusian: :be:Радзіма мая дарагая, Russian: Родина моя дорогая) by and Ales Bachyla.\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Belarus"}
Brazil Rádio Brasil Internacional: Xylophone version of "Brazilian Flag Anthem" (Brazilian Portuguese: Hino à Bandeira Nacional) by Francisco Braga and Olavo Bilac.
BGR Radio Bulgaria:\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio Sofia"}
BFA Radio Burkina:\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Burkina"}
China\header{ title = "China National Radio" }
CRI Indonesian Radio (and Radio Peking, predecessor of China Radio International): 东方红 ("The East Is Red").\header{tagline=##f title="CRI Indonesian"}
Voice of the Strait News Radio: Bell version of "Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention" (三大纪律八项注意).\header{ title = "Interval signal for Voice of the Strait" }
Cuba Radio Habana Cuba: Refrain of "March of the 26th of July" (es:La Marcha del 26 de Julio) by Agustín Díaz Cartaya.\header{ title = "Radio Habana Cuba" }
Denmark DR P1: "Drømte mig en drøm i nat", played on metallophone.\header{ title = "Interval signal for DR P1" }
ETH Radio Ethiopia:\header{ title = "Radio Ethiopia" }
France Radio France Internationale: Electronic-disco, culminating in the last 8 measures of "La Marseillaise".\header{tagline=##f title="Radio France Internationale"}
Germany Deutsche Welle: "Es sucht der Bruder seine Brüder" from Fidelio (Act2 No.16 Finale. Heil sei dem Tag!) by Ludwig van Beethoven.\header{tagline=##f title="Interval signal for DW"}
Greece Voice of Greece: "The Little Shepherd" (el:Ο Τσομπανάκος), played on floghera.\header{tagline=##f title="Interval signal for Voice of Greece"}
India All India Radio: A tune composed by Walter Kaufmann or Thakur Balwant Singh, used since 1936.\header{tagline=##f title="Interval signal for All India Radio"}
Indonesia Indonesia\header{tagline=##f title="RRI Programa 3"}
Ireland RTÉ Radio 1: 2nd segment of "O'Donnell Forever" (O'Donnell Abú).\header{tagline=##f title="RTÉ Radio 1"}
Japan NHK Radio Japan: "KazoeUta (Hitotsu to ya)" (数え歌, counting-out game).\header{tagline=##f title="NHK Radio Japan"}
Japan Radio Nikkei: Kan Ishii\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio Nikkei"}
Nepal Radio Nepal: A tune composed by Ustad Govinda Lal Nepali.\header{tagline=##f title="Interval signal for Radio Nepal"}
North Korea\header{ title = "Voice of Korea" }
South Korea KBS World Radio: "Dawn" (여명); Korean kids song "Moon, moon, bright moon" (달아 달아 밝은달아)\header{tagline=##f title="KBS World Radio - Dawn"}
Luxembourg RTL Radio: last segment of ":lb:De Feierwon" by Michel Lentz, played on chimes.\header{tagline=##f title="RTL Radio"}
MDG Radio Madagascar (:mg:Radio Madagasikara):\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Madagascar"}
MRT Radio Mauritania:\header{ title = "Radio Mauritania" }
Mongolia Voice of Mongolia: "Motherland" (Эх орон) by Luvsanjambyn Mördorj.\header{ title = "Interval signal for Voice of Mongolia" }
New Zealand Radio New Zealand International: The call of a New Zealand bellbird\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio New Zealand International"}
NER ORTN:\header{tagline=##f title="Office of Radio and Television of Niger"}
Pakistan Radio Pakistan: A tune composed by Khwaja Khursheed Anwar.\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio Pakistan"}
Philippines:\header{tagline=##f title="FEBC"}
QAT: Qatar Radio\header{tagline=##f title="Qatar Radio"}
Romania Radio Romania International: The first nine notes of “Pui de lei", lyrics by Ioan S. Nenițescu and song by\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Romania International"}
Russia Radio Mayak: Vibraphone version of Moscow Nights.\header{ title = "Radio Mayak" }
RWA: Radio Rwanda\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio Rwanda"}
SAU: Radio Saudi International\header{ title = "Radio Saudi International" }
Slovenia Radio Slovenia: Electronically generated cuckoo chirping.\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Slovenia"}
UGA: Radio Uganda\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Uganda"}
Ukraine Radio Ukraine International: "The Wide Dniepr Roars and Moans" (Реве та стогне Дніпр широкий).\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Ukraine International"}
UK BBC World Service:\header{tagline=##f}
United States:\header{ title = "Interval signal for NBC" }
Trans World Radio (TWR)
Trans World Radio: Hymne Monégasque (Monaco anthem)\header{tagline=##f title="Trans World Radio"}
TWR Europe: Amazing Grace\header{tagline=##f title="TWR Europe"}
TWR Albania: last segment of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"\header{tagline=##f title="TWR Albania"}
TWR Guam: first part of "We've a story to tell to the nations"\header{tagline=##f title="KTWR"}
TWR Africa: last part of "We've a story to tell to the nations"\header{tagline=##f title="TWR Africa"}
TWR Bonaire: last part of Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus by George James Webb, in various renditions\header{tagline=##f title="TWR Bonaire"}
Voice of America: Brass band version of "Yankee Doodle".[[File:Voa english signing on with yankee doodle.oggthumbcenterInterval signal for Voice of America]]
WEWN, later EWTN Global Radio: "Salve Regina" (in simple tone) by Henri Dumont\header{ title = "WEWN" }
Vatican Vatican Radio: "Christus Vincit" by :fr:Aloys Kunc.\header{tagline=##f title="Interval signal for Vatican Radio"}
Venezuela Radio Nacional de Venezuela's : Beginning of "Alma Llanera" by Pedro Elías Gutiérrez and Rafael Bolívar Coronado.\header{ title = "Radio Nacional de Venezuela" }
Vietnam Đài tiếng nói Việt Nam (VOV): latter half of "vi:Diệt phát xít"\header{tagline=##f title="Voice of Vietnam"}

Formerly used

Radio stationPlayable sound
Albania Radio Tirana\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Tirana - Këputa një gjethe dafine"}
Australia Radio Australia\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Australia"}
Austria Radio Österreich International\header{ title = "Radio Österreich International" }
Austria Ö1\header{ title = "Interval signal for Ö1" }
Austria ORF1st Program: Schubert, Rosamunde, Ballet Music 2
Belgium RTBF International:**
Brazil Rádio Nacional\header{tagline=##f title="Luar do Sertão ('Hinterlands Moonlight')"}
Canada Radio Canada International\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Canada International"}
Cyprus Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation\header{tagline = ##f title="Avkoritissa (Αυκορίτισσα)"}
Czechoslovakia Radio PragueSmetana, Má vlast, 1. Vyšehrad
Denmark Radio Denmark: Nielsen, Moderen, Scene7 No.22 Som en rejselysten flåde\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio Denmark"}
ECU HCJB: using a motif from Great Is Thy Faithfulness\header{tagline=##f title="The Voice of the Andes"}
Finland Yle Radio 1: Pim-pam-pulla, a tune from the 1700s proposed by A. O. Väisänen for 5-string kantele.\header{ title = "Radio Finland (Yle)" }
France Radio France Internationale: a popular song, **.\header{tagline = ##f title="Radio France Internationale"}
Allied-occupied Germany Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk: The 4th symphony by Brahms.\header{tagline=##f title="NWDR"}
Nazi Germany : Ending bars of Volk ans Gewehr, played on celesta.\header{ title = "Reichssender Berlin" }
East Germany\header{ title = "Berliner Rundfunk" }
Germany Germany\header{tagline = ##f title="Reichssender Berlin"}
ORAG Königsberg
Friedrich Dewischeit, :de:Masurenlied (Wild flutet der See)\header{tagline = ##f title="Ostmarken Rundfunk"}
Hungary Radio Budapest:\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Budapest"}
Israel Kol Yisrael: latter half of Hatikvah played on trumpets and timpani.\header{tagline=##f title="Kol Yisrael"}
Italy Rai Italia Radio: Mechanically generated canary chirping.\header{tagline=##f title="Rai Italia Radio"}
LVA Radio Riga:\header{ title = "Latvijas Radio" }
LTU Radio Vilnius:\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Vilnius - Lietuvninkai mes esam gimę"}
Malaysia Voice of Malaysia: Dondang Sayangwww.intervalsignals.net/sounds/mla-z-rtm_vom_150701.mp3
Netherlands NPO\header{tagline=##f title="Nederlandse Publieke Omroep"}
Norway\header{ title = "NRK – Pausesignalet" }
Poland\header{ title = "Radio Olsztyn" }
Romania Radio Bucharest 1 and Radio Bucharest External Service (pre 1989): Fragment from Cantata anilor luminǎ by Anatol Vieru\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Bucharest"}
Russia Voice of Russia: "Great Gate of Kiev" portion of Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.\header{tagline=##f title="Voice of Russia"}
Serbia Radio Serbia: Bože pravde, in various renditions.\header{ title = "Radio Serbia" }
Slovakia Radio Slovakia International: :sk:Kto za pravdu horí\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Slovakia International"}
Union of South Africa Radio RSA (former international service of Apartheid-era South African Broadcasting Corporation): Bokmakierie chirping and first bars of Ver in die Wereld, Kittie, played on guitar.\header{tagline=##f title="Radio RSA"}
ESP Radio Exterior de España: "Generala" (1761,1769) by :es:Manuel de Espinosa de los Monteros\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Exterior de España"}
Sweden Radio Sweden:\header{ title = "Radio Sweden" }
Switzerland\header{tagline = ##f title="Landessender Beromünster, Bern"}
Turkey Voice of Turkey: Turkish makam, played on piano.[[File:Voice of Turkey Interval Signal.oggthumbcenter300pxInterval signal of [[Voice of Turkey]] as heard in 2013]]
USSR Radio Moscow (former international service of the Soviet Union)
United Kingdom BBC World Service: Trumpet version of Oranges and Lemons; first four notes of Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven, played on timpani; Lillibullero (signature tune).\header{ title = "BBC - Oranges and Lemons" }
United States World Christian Broadcasting (Alaska KNLS, Madagascar Madagascar World Voice (MWV))\header{tagline=##f title="KNLS (old) - Chariots of Fire"}
United States WYFR: First bars of To God Be the Glory by William Howard Doane\header{tagline=##f title="KNLS/MWV - (an unnamed tune)"}
SFR Yugoslavia Radio Yugoslavia (1980–1989)\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Yugoslavia"}
Yugoslavia Serbia and Montenegro Radio Yugoslavia, later International Radio of Serbia and Montenegro: 2nd verse of Svečana Pesma (:sr:Свечана песма) by :sh:Nikola Hercigonja\header{tagline=##f title="Radio Yugoslavia"}
Classical radio station WQXR-FM in New York City, during its ownership by The New York Times Company, played different variations of a classical infused gong with the ID read at the same time as "The Classical Station of the New York Times, WQXR, New York (And WQXR.com 2000–2009)

Numbers station interval signals

Numbers stations are often named after their interval signals, such as The Lincolnshire Poacher or Magnetic Fields after "Magnetic Fields Part 1" by Jean-Michel Jarre.

References

References

  1. stephensen. (2009-10-19). "Pausesignal".
  2. "Ο τσομπανάκος σήμα ΕΡΤ)".
  3. [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/catalyst/tuning-into-broadcast-history/article7765864.ece Tuning into broadcast history]. The Hindu BusinessLine, 15 October 2015.
  4. "'O'Donnell Abú'".
  5. (8 October 2007). "Pausenzeichen und ihre musikalischen Quellen".
  6. (4 May 2022). "Радио холбооны анхны өдрүүд...".
  7. Treiber, Alfred. (2007). "Ö1 gehört gehört : die kommentierte Erfolgsgeschichte eines Radiosenders". Böhlau.
  8. "Internet tunes".
  9. (2024-05-29). "A NOTE ON THE CYPRIOT SONG "TA RIALIA" ("THE MONEY")".
  10. (4 July 2008). "Radion väliaikamerkki".
  11. (2021-11-15). "Pim-Pam-Pulla – YLEn välimerkki, joka jäi mieliin! – Tekniikan museo".
  12. "Deutschlandfunk - Kalter Krieg im Radio".
  13. "Interval Signals Online - Netherlands".
  14. Andy Emmerson. "The interval signal – Vanishing and endangered species".
  15. ["Interval Signals Online - Poland"](https://www.intervalsignals.net/Countries/poland.htm#:~:text=Katowice%20().
  16. "Interval Signals Online - Poland".
  17. Frost, Jens Mathiesen. (1983). "World Radio TV Handbook". Billboard Publications.
  18. "DX Listening Digest 7-043".
  19. "Signaturer & musikvinjetter | Andromeda".
  20. "BBC World Service - Pausenzeichen-Datenbank".
  21. "Image file".
  22. "Radio Jugoslawien - Pausenzeichen-Datenbank".
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