ABC TV (Australia)

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation was established in 1932 as the Australian Broadcasting Commission, though its origins can be traced back to the establishment of the Australian Broadcasting Company in 1924. The ABC is a public-funded broadcaster akin to the BBC in the United Kingdom, funded through grants from the Australian Government, yet tasked with maintaining political independence. Like the BBC, they started as a radio broadcaster and originally charged listeners a license fee, though this was abolished in 1948. The ABC launched their television service in 1956, a few months after what would become the Nine Network made Australia's first TV broadcast. The ABC adopted the original Lissajous figure as their logo in 1963 following a design competition. The figure took on its more familiar classic design in 1975 to mark the ABC's launch of color transmission. In 1983, as part of a major restructure, the Australian Broadcasting Commission was renamed the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. By 2001, ABC had begun broadcasting on digital television, launching a new metallic logo to coincide as well as the new ABC Kids channel, making ABC the first major network in Australia to have a digital multichannel. This channel was short lived, however and was shut down in 2003 to cut costs. In 2002, the ABC marked its 70th anniversary with a modification of its new logo, returning to a more traditional design. In 2005, ABC launched its second digital multichannel, ABC2 (later ABC Comedy, now known as ABC TV Plus), this was followed by a second attempt at a digital kids' channel, ABC3 (now ABC ME), which launched in 2009. Around this time, the main ABC channel was renamed to ABC1, to compliment ABC2. However, this rename would be short lived, as by 2014, the channel had returned to its original name. At the same time, the classic Lissajous figure was reinstated as a primary logo 13 years after it was retired on-air, along with the iconic three-note jingle which hadn't been used on air since 2005. The main channel was rebranded ABC TV as of January 1, 2021 to compliment the rebranding of ABC Comedy as ABC TV Plus.

1st Logo:

(1956-1959)

Nicknames: "Spinning Curves", "Opening Night", "The Start of Australian Television"

Logo: Amongst a black background with 3 stars, we see the text "OPENING NIGHT" with stars in it (the top and bottom). 2 seconds later, the logo fades into

ABC

TV

with various curves at different shapes and sizes spinning around it.

Variant: The first time the logo pays, it then zooms out to the bottom corner of the screen with a man right next to it.

Trivia: The man at the first logo is Michael Charlton.

FX/SFX: The fading and curves spinning around ABC TV.

Music/Sounds: A fanfare that becomes slightly louder toward the end before it settles down.

Music/Sounds Variant: Sometimes, we'd hear a long note in the background with an announcer saying "Stand by for the opening night, of the national television service".

Availability: Extinct. This was played at the start of Australian Television.

Scare Factor: Medium. The fanfare and spinning logo can startle some viewers.

2nd Logo:

(1959-1961)

Nickname : "Transmitter"

ID :Over a dark background with thin, wavy clouds at the center, we see a transmitter tower sitting on an Earth globe. It is emitting constant signals from the top of the structure, which are illustrated by circular pulses.The letters:

A.B.C

(representing the name of the broadcaster and in a sans serif font) suddenly "pop" upon to the center of the screen.

FX/SFX : The signals emitting from the tower, the sudden appearance of the initials.

Cheesy Factor : It looks blatantly like a cheap copy of the RKO Pictures logo of the era, plus the animation of the pulsing signals looks choppy and rushed.

Music /Sounds : None.

Availability : Long since extinct.

Scare Factor : Low to medium, as the dark background, the animation of the signals, the sudden appearance of the"A.B.C.", the silence and the scratchy film could get to some.

3rd ID (1961-1967)

Nicknames :"Atom", "Earth Globe"

ID : On a dark, hazy background representing space, we see a rotating globe. Points of light (seen as small dots) begin to encircle the globe like the electrons of an atom, leaving lines behind them. As the trails are completed, a TV-tube shape with the letters "ABC" suddenly appears over the globe. After a few seconds, the shape splits into three, the first shape containing" A", the middle "B", and the last "C".

FX/SFX : The globe rotating, the motion of the"electrons", the splitting of the tube.

Che es  y Factor : Rough animation all round, plus it is too reminiscent of both the Universal Pictures and AAP logos.

Music/Sounds : An abridged version of the ABC's signature news theme, Majestic Fanfare, which was composed by Charles Williams in 1943 (Although, the available recording of this logo may have been sourced from the start of a news bulletin.)

Availability : Same as above, see YouTube.

Scare Factor : Low to medium, with the blurry film quality, the darkness, the action on-screen and the bombastic music, but this is not as scary as the following logo.

4th ID:

(1967-1972)

Nicknames : "Oscilloscope", "The Lissajous Figure", ''Early Lissajous Figure", "Lissajous Figure of Doom", " Radio Quebec's Australian Brother"

ID : The screen is filled with a view of an oscilloscope display. The "Lissajous figure" that we see is oscillating rapidly, going from one frequency to another in quick bursts until it settles on a fixed rate. After around five seconds, the display fades into an animated representation of the slow, horizontal pattern seen before. It fades into a vertical pattern, and then fades back into the previous pattern. The animation stops at the point where the figure resembles the early version of the infamous ABC logo, and then pulls back, with the words "Australian Broadcasting Commission" (at the top) and "National Television Service" (at the bottom) appearing at once, contracting with the ident. The ident stops animating altogether and zooms back until it gets to a comfortable distance.

FX/SFX : The view of the oscilloscope, the animations of the oscilloscope, the company name appearing and the "zoom-out".

Cheesy Factor : A rough and jerky animation for the stylized Lissajous figure and "zoom-out"at the end. Also, the industrial noise sounds more like a car crash!

Music/Sounds : Begins with loud, discordant, industrial noise as we see the figure wildly oscillating on the display. The noise itself is actually in sync with the rate of the frequency. As the figure settles into a slow pulse, a calmer piece played with vibraphones, guitars, and harps plays during the remainder of the logo.

Availability : Same as above, see the YouTube video "Australian Broadcasting Corporation ident". However,only the last part of this ID appears on that video. Also appears on this video. The full version was previously available in the ABC's 75th anniversary website.

Scare Factor : High to nightmare.The loud noises and rapid oscillations at the start are unlike anything seen in a logo of that time, and probably would have given many kids the creeps (and bad dreams to a lesser extent). Also, the vibraphone, guitar,and harp piece, while intending to be relaxing, comes across as creepy and quaint instead.

Editor's Note This ident marks the first instance of the iconic Lissajous curve logo the ABC is well-known for.

5th ID:

(1972-1975)

Nicknames: "The Lissajous Figure II", "The Good Looking Australian"

ID : In this series of idents, we witness scenes of ordinary Australians going about their daily business. All of the sequences end with the ABC logo (encased in a rounded rectangle with "ABCtv" in a sans serif font sitting above) and the phrase "The Good Looking Australian" (in the same font) being wiped on from the left.

Several variations were produced. Here are two examples:

Airport: This follows a man in uniform going around interacting with airport staff, while an airliner is being refueled and prepared for takeoff.

Artist: On the side of a busy city street, a portrait artist sketches a man's face in profile.

FX/SFX : All live action except for the text.

Music/Sounds : Used several variations of the instrumental "A Shade of Brass" by Bobby Byrne, depending on the film sequence. An announcer either says: "This is ABC Television. The good looking Australian.", or "The good looking Australian. ABC Television." at the end.

Availability : Extinct.

Scare Factor : None to low. A sophisticated and professional campaign for the national broadcaster. Some of the variations of the theme tune might surprise some, though, but it's tamer than the previous ID.

6th ID:

(1975-1978)

Nicknames: "Colour Bars", "Lissajous Figure III", "Colour Television in Australia", "Yellow Lissajous Figure"

Logo: On a navy blue background, we see three diagonal bars, coloured (from left to right) green, sky blue and red. The first bar (green) contracts towards the bottom of the screen, followed by the next bars (blue and red) until they disappear from the screen entirely. Two yellow diagonal bars appear from both sides of the screen, followed by two "sharkstooth" shapes of the same colour appearing from the top and bottom. The formation slowly pulls back to reveal that it is the ABC logo. The words;

AUSTRALIAN

BROADCASTING

COMMISSION

sit right at the top of the logo in a white sans serif font.

FX/SFX: The animation of the bars and shapes.

Music/Sounds: A horn-driven fanfare with "rockish" drumming in the background.

Availability: Extinct. Was seen on the arrival of colour television in Australia.

Scare Factor: Low. The fanfare could scare a few, but it's harmless and the colours added in it make it a tamer logo.

7th ID

(1978-1981)

Nicknames: "Lissajous Figure IV", "Yellow Lissajous Figure II", "ABC Copies"

l D : We see the outlined yellow ABC logo. Some copies zoom out and stop in the logo, and the last copy fills the logo with the yellow colour.

FX/SFX : The zooming and filling.

Cheesy Factor : The logo zooming out makes this logo look uninteresting.

Music/Sounds : A violin theme with drumbeats. This is exactly an excerpt from "Heavy Action" by Johnny Pearson. This was also used as the theme for American Broadcasting Company's Wide World of Sports.

Availability : Extinct. It was used as ABC's second colour ID.

Scare Factor : Minimal, it's a very harmless ID, but someone can be scared due to the huge size of the logo.

7th ID

(1981-1983)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure V", "Yellow Lissajous Figure III", "Electronic Wave", "Neon Tubing"

ID : We see what look like fountains in the sky against a black background. The fountains fall, and the ABC logo moves toward us like a rollercoaster, while the metallic floor with some running light reflections moving under the logo. Then the logo flashes on a black-blue gradient background, and a white light has "ABC" (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) fading in, in what looks like neon lights. “ABCTV” flashes above the logo.

FX/SFX : The Fountains rising and the ABC logo rising up.​

Music/Sounds : A catchy synth-disco tune with people singing “ABC”.

Availability : Extinct. It was used as a national ID for ABC Australia. Check those PAL tapes!

Scare Factor : Low to medium. The neon used in the ID can be an eyesore to look at.

8th ID

(1983-1985)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure VI", "Laser ABC", "Flipping Australia"

ID : On a black background three laser beams come in from the left of the screen each going in a different direction after the third one, a map of Australia is showing with glowing red lines, as the background changes to blue with pink and black lines in the background, then it flips to reveal that is the ABC logo then it flashes turning the logo into a grey/black gradient and causing the words Australian Broadcasting Corporation to appear in white as well, the logo zooms out slowly until it fades out.

FX/SFX : The laser beams, the flipping, the flash, the background changing.

Cheesy Factor : The animation seems outdated by now, though it was cool for the time, also why would they use an instrumental excerpt instead of a generically composed theme?

Music/Sounds : An instrumental excerpt from "Affair of the Heart" by Rick Springfield.

Availability : Ultra Rare, can be seen on ABC Video tapes released during this logo's lifespan. It does make an appearance in this video and this video

Scare Factor : Low, it may surprise you the first time you see it, and despite the taken instrumental excerpt, it's a favourite of some.

9th ID

(1985-1987)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure VII", "Golden Globe" "Aussie Globe", "CGI Globe"

ID : We see several red squares form below on a black/blue gradient background. Then, the camera pans inside of one row, and a yellow globe forms in the distance. The camera pans through and up out of the row, and the globe, with a glass ABC logo on it and a map of Australia engraved on the globe, floats to the top, rotating. The ABC logo flies off the right of the globe and toward us. Light bars are seen on the reflection of the logo.

Variants :
 * On programs aired during the night, the squares are purplish an a swirling purplish Milky Way galaxy forms behind the logo.
 * For programs broadcast via satellite, the words "BY SATELLITE" appears circled in below the logo.

FX/SFX : The squares, globe, and ABC logo; very impressive mid-'80s animation here!

Music/Sounds : An uplifting orchestral tune with drums, horns, flutes, and bells, ending with a tinkling sound. The "Milky Way" variant lacks the tinkling sounds. Sometimes, an announcement might be heard during the logo, advising what the next program is.

Availability : Rare, The Night-time Variant was also used for ABC releases on video during this time period. The Daytime and By Satellite variants are extinct, as they were used only as station IDs.

Scare Factor : None.

10th ID

(1987-January 25, 1988)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure VIII", "ABC Ribbons", "CGI Ribbons"

ID : We see several silver ribbons swirling around on a dark blue background. They form an unidentifiable shape at first, but as the camera zooms in the center, spins around, and zooms out, we see a solid formation of the ABC logo (a series of twisting lines) set against a brown floor. "ABC TV" fades in above.

Variant: A Christmas variation was used during the Christmas Eve of 1987.

FX/SFX : The ribbons forming the logo; nice animation for 1987.

Music/Sounds : A series of synth choir sounds with a four-note synth chime tune, ending with an orchestral hit. ​​​​​

Availability : Extinct. only used for a short period of time, check old tapes for this one.

Scare Factor : Low, the orchestral hit at the end may catch a few off-guard.

11th ID

(1988-1995)

N icknames : "Lissajous Figure IX", "Manmade Textures of Australia" "Nature Textures Of Australia"

Logo : We see a glassy ABC logo turning upward against a background split into thirds that contains one of various image styles relating to Australian heritage. For idents made between 1988 to 1992, the logo is centered on the screen. For idents made between 1992 to 1996, the logo is made slightly smaller and pushed to the near bottom. Here are some examples:
 * Feathers: We see white feathers in a row moving from left to right on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a pinecone.
 * Handrail: We see a handrail going down on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a shadow walk past the handrail.
 * Ashes: We see wood on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see fire spreading among some ashes.
 * Motor Boat: We see waves of water on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a hand pulling a motor.
 * Afternoon Tea: We see a door closing on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a hand pouring a pot of tea into an unseen tea cup.
 * Leaves: We see leaves dangling from a tree moving slightly on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see leaves from a plant.
 * Snake Skin: We see a wooden fence with raindrops falling on it on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see black snake skin with yellow spots.
 * Outback Train: We see some white marble on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a train quickly zooming past us, leaving only the sky in view.
 * Transistor Radio: We see a ceiling fan spinning on the top and bottom rows and in the middle, we see a hand operating an transistor radio.
 * Skyscrapers: We see marble moving with left to right on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a view of skyscrapers.
 * Flowers: We see an artistic image of flowers on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see flowers with dew falling from them.
 * Baby: We see a white baby shirt hanging on a clothes line on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a baby's hand on it's cot.
 * Ballet: We see images of ballet clothing on the top and bottom rows moving from left to right and in the middle row, we see a hand tying ballet shoes.
 * Tide: We see some rocks on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a tide come crashing down.
 * Didgeridoo: We see black trees at sunset on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a man playing a didgeridoo.
 * Jazz: We see a wall on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a man playing a saxophone.
 * Beach: We see water moving on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see sand dunes.
 * Bush Windmill: We see wood on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a bush windmill operate.
 * Gold Panning: We see rocks in a pot of water on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a hand panning for gold in a water filled pot.
 * Pottery: We see images of art materials move from the left to the right on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a handmaking pottery.
 * Reflection: We see some sort of handles on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a reflection of a pier rippling.
 * Sand: We see waves washing over sand on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see rocks.
 * Rodeo: We see some leaves on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see some boots on a fence.
 * Cattle Drive: We see cattle run past a fence on the top and bottom rows and in the middle row, we see a man holding his belt.

FX/SFX : The images and logo turning upward. Great CGI mixed with live-action scenery.

Cheesy Factor : On some IDs, (for example the Didgeridoo, Train Commuters, Fire Hose, Jazz, Sprinkler, Motor Boat, Pottery, Gold Panning, Bush Tea, Afternoon Tea, Ballet, Baby, Tractor, Cattle Truck, Cattle Drive and Transistor Radio IDS) the ABC logo is not centered right, making the action more apparent.

Music/Sounds : It normally used an gentle uplifting fanfare with a horn section, ending with six synth bell/choir notes (the last three would later become the trademark ABC jingle), and would be remixed depending on the variant. Other sounds relating to the imagery would be used, as well (The normal jingle was heard on the Leaves, Cave Painting, Snake Skin, River, Rainforest, Tide, Ashes, Desert Flower, Desert, Seashells, Skyscrapers, Wattle, Rock Pebbles, Sand and Cave IDs with the sounds intact). The Special variants were usually accompanied with an announcer.

Availability : Most of these IDs are obviously Extinct. The Bush Tea ID made a surprise appearance on The Best Of The Late Show volume 3 VHS (it was part of a joke to pretend that the show cut to a boring documentary about birds). The Bicentennial ID was also used as a home video logo for the release of From The Outback To The Sea - Images Of The Australian Bicentennial Year. There are probably more ID's than the ones pictured above, so keep checking those tapes!

Scare Factor : Depends on the variant shown (mostly none). It's a favourite of some people, especially those in Australia.

Editor's Note : These idents are considered a favorite among some viewers of the channel, especially older ones.

12th ID (1995-1996)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure X", "People", "Words"

ID : We see several words changing until stopping into a particular word for each ident. Then, we see some footage, and the ABC logo flips up with the picture below changing depending on the ident.

FX/SFX : Mostly live action.

Music/Sounds : Depends on the variant, usually ending with the three note jingle.

Availability : Extinct, as many ABC IDs. They were another short-lived ID set. Check your old tape recordings!

Scare Factor : Depends on the variant (again, mostly none). This is also another favourite of some.

Editor's Note : The flipping animation of the logo would form the basis of the original ABC DVD logo.

13th ID:

(January 1996-2000)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XI" "Scribbly ABC", "It's Your ABC"

ID : We see some people doing many actions, then someone (or the same people) draws the ABC logo in the air, with a white outline representing the motion. Then the video fades to black, leaving behind the logo as the letters "abc" fade in.

Variants : There were many special variants.
 * From January 1996 until July 1998, the footage is filmed in a single shot and is in black and white. The ABC logo fades out towards the end and after the video fades out, the words "it's your abc" appear.
 * Starting in late November 1996 or early December 1996, additional text appears below "it's your abc", giving the info on who was in the ident or where the ident was filmed.
 * There are "comedic" variants shown on TV programmes hosted by Shaun Micallef. One variant parodies the 1963 assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald, another one has Shaun and a man using another man's head to draw the logo, and there is also another version featuring Shaun peeking by an ABC ident.
 * There is another "comedic" variant seen at the end of the final episode of Election Chaser 2001 as well as the first episode of the second season of CNNNN. This variant features Richard Alston drawing the ABC logo before crossing it off.

FX/SFX : Mostly all-live action.

Cheesy Factor : The ABC logo looks like a child drew it!.

Music/Sounds : Depends on the variant, usually ending with the three-note jingle.

Availability : Extinct, as many ABC IDs.

Scare Factor : Depends on the variant. However, it's mostly none.

14th ID

(January 1, 2001-2002)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XII" "The National Brodcaster", "ABC TV Reflections", "3D Lissajous Figure"

Logo : On a black background with colored lights, we first see various close-up shots of a silver ring twisting and morphing in various angles. On the final shot, we then see the silver ring take the form of the ABC logo (without the usual "over and under" design), settling itself in the center of the screen. The text "The National Broadcaster" then fades in below the logo while three stars appear one by one onto the logo in sync with the 3-note jingle. Sometimes, the ABC website URL (abc.net.au) may fade in below the slogan.

Trivia : This ident, along with the accompanying on-air design package, was made by Mish Mash Multimedia.

Variants :
 * There are a few variations of the main ident itself, usually with different close-up shots, logo animation, and/or background colors.
 * Another set of idents was made using this design, referred to as "Reflections". The idents start with various clips relating to certain themes reflected onto close-up shots of the silver ring; the logo then animates as usual. In some cases, "The National Broadcaster" slogan may be replaced with a different text, such as "ABC Rural", "ABC Natural History", "Triple J", "ABC Science", and "ABC Children's".

FX/SFX : The logo forming. Just pure CGI.

Cheesy Factor : The new design makes the ABC logo look a bit ugly.

Music/Sounds : A tribal tune with monks singing; the three-note jingle is also heard at the end. Several idents may also include custom music.

Availability : Extinct.

Scare Factor : None to low. due to the chant and the design of the logo. Some people don't like this logo because of the deep male singing.

15th ID

(2002-2003)

Nickname : "Lissajous Figure XIII", "Everyone's ABC", "3D "Lissajous Figure II", "ABC Ring", "CGI Ring"

ID : A silver ring is seen on a background with either one of these elements: a fireplace, an iceberg, or a cluster of leaves. Then, a light ray passes on the silver ring, making it twist itself to form the ABC logo (back to the "over and under" design, but still keeping the silver texture of the previous logo). On the final shot, the logo is positioned in the center while three faint stars flash individually onto the Lissajous curve and another light ray shines from the right side of the screen. The following text fades in below the logo:

Celebrating 70 years abc.net.au

Variants :
 * Beginning in around the third quarter of 2002, the logo is made smaller and re-positioned to the right side of the screen; the text "everyone's" appears on the left alongside the logo.
 * Much like the previous logo, an alternative set of idents with various clips reflecting on the logo is made; the only difference being the logo animation in the end.

FX/SFX : The background scenery, the light rays, and the silver ring morphing into the logo, all done in CGI.

Music/Sounds : A tribal synth composition with accompanying ambience sounds related to the scenery of each ident, ending with the three-note jingle.

Availability : Extinct. Was only used during ABC's 70th anniversary throughout 2002.

Scare Factor : None to medium, depending on the variant.

16th ID

(2003-2005)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure IXV", "Everyone's ABC", "3D Lissajous Figure III"

ID : A video sequence of everyday life is seen, with various ribbons interacting with the footage. At the ending shot, the ribbons draw the ABC logo on the right (which solidifies into a modified version of the 2002 logo). The text "every" with a word relating to the theme of each ident below it then draws in on the left of the logo; the themed word then changes into "one's" after a few seconds, making the text and logo read as "everyone's ABC".

FX/SFX : Mostly live action mixed with 2D animation.

Music/Sounds : Varies per ident; all idents end with the 3-note jingle.

Availability : Extinct.

Scare Factor : Depends on the variant (mostly none).

17th ID

(2005-2008)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XV", "3D Lissajous Figure IV", "There's More to ABC"

ID : On a white background with faint blue gradients, we see the ABC logo in the center, which then unfolds into a rectangular frame leading into various individuals interacting with CGI objects. At the end, half of the ABC logo slides into the near center, protruding from either the top or bottom of the screen. The text "There's more to Television..." appear in a blocky font above or below the logo From 2006 onwards, the slogan would vary depending on the ident.

FX/SFX : Everything in the logo, all in a unique mixture of CGI and live action.

Music/Sounds : Various arrangements of an uplifting tune. The standard version was a piano-driven orchestration.

Availability : Extinct.

Scare Factor : None. It's a good logo.

18th ID

(November 2006-2007)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XVI", "3D Lissajous Figure V" "Celebrating 50 Years of Television...", "The ABC Time Machine ID"

ID : We start off with the ABC logo zooming in and morphing into a screen which then shows an ID used by the ABC in the past. Near the end of the ID shown, the video zooms off to the left at an angle. The top of the newer ABC logo then slides from the right side of the screen and stops near the middle. The text "Celebrating 50 Years of Television..." and "Circa xxxxs" (the year digits varies depending on what decade the ID shown was from), then appear letter by letter from the left side of the screen.

FX/SFX : The logo zooming in and morphing into a screen, the animation or live-action from the ID displayed in the screen, the zooming out towards the end of the ID, and the letters and the ABC logo appearing.

Music/Sounds : The music/soundtrack from the ID being played.

Availability : Extinct. These ID's were used during the 50th anniversary of television in Australia.

Scare Factor : Depends on which variant.

19th ID

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XVII", "3D Lissajous Figure VI", "ABC1", "It Begins with 1."

ID : We see a clip of live action footage with the new ABC1 logo, a blue rectangle with the words "ABC1" in it and a second rectangle below with the Lissajous curve logo.

FX/SFX : Live action mixed with 2D animation.

Cheesy Factor : A rather bland ID.

Music/Sounds : Each ident has a custom musical score with the dialogue of the featured person over it.

Availability :Extinct.

Scare Factor : None.

20th ID

(2011- July 20 2014)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XVIII", "3D Lissajous Figure VII", "ABC1 II" "Think Entertainment (not the company)"

ID : An update of the previous idents' concept, now with the new slogan "Think..." (like the 17th ID, the last word varies by ident) and an updated logo featuring a large "1" in a rectangle with the word ABC and the Lissajous figure below it. The logo would appear in either orange or blue, depending on the ident.

FX/SFX : Live-action and CGI.

Music/Sounds : A soft synth or upbeat musical score ending with the three-note jingle.

Availability : Extinct.

Scare Factor : None.​​​​​​​

21st ID

(2014-2019)

Nicknames : "Lissajous Figure XIX", "#ourABC"

ID : We see footage of various everyday Australians. At the end, the ABC logo (once again in its 1975 2D design) draws into the screen with the slogan "#ourABC" next to it.

FX/SFX : Live action.

Music/Sounds:  Various, depending on the ID, though all culminating in the iconic 3-note jingle from the 11th ident.

Availability : Extinct.

Scare Factor : None.

22nd ID

(August 2018-2019) Nicknames: "Lissajous Figure XX", "Yours", "I Am Australian", "Celebrating 90 Years" (90 Years Idents)

ID: It depends on each ident. Here are some of them;
 * Mixture: As it's title says, it consists of a compilation of Australians singing "I Am Australian" by the Seekers. A short version of this also exists.
 * School Choir: Live-action footage of an ensemble of kids are shown singing, among other footage of children doing things.
 * ABC Stories: These consist of prominent Australians discussing the role of the ABC in their lives.
 * An additional subset, known as "With You, for Life" highlighting how the ABC has been with Australians throughout their lives, has a girl moving through various phases of life as different ABC presenters appear, starting with the Toys from iconic children's show Play School when the girl is young.
 * Other idents consist of ABC presenters discussing various topics, e.g. in the New Year period, they give us their new year's resolutions.
 * Special idents were made for the ABC's 90th Anniversary in 2022. These idents consist around the main concept of "90", with the "Celebrating 90 Years" tagline at the end. Four idents were created for this set;
 * Mixture: As the title says, it consists of a compilation of footage from all four idents of the set. A short version of this also exists.
 * 90 Choir Singers: Filmed in the Northen Territory on Arrernte Country in Alice Springs, this ident features a choir of Australians singing "I Am Australian", beginning with the first half in Aboriginal language before singing the last half in English. At the end of the ident, we see the ABC logo made on the sand-engraved ground.
 * 90 School Kids: Filmed in the Inner West of Sydney on Wangal Country, this ident features a choir of school children singing (and also signing) "I Am Australian". At the end of the ident, we see the children make a heart using paper boards, before they make the ABC lissajous symbol. A short version of this also exists.
 * 90 Drummers: Filmed in Brisbane on Turrbal & Yuggera Country, this ident features 90 drummers all drumming to "I Am Australian" while shouting throughout. The ident starts in the daytime and ends at nighttime, where we see the ABC logo made in fire on the hoisted platform held by a crane.
 * 90 Dancers: Filmed in Sydney on Gadigal Country, this ident features a group of 90 dancers all dancing to a remix of "I Am Australian". The ident begins inside a studio, and near the end of the ident, they all go outside the building to continue their routine, before they all form to make the ABC lissajous symbol.

FX/SFX: Live-action filmed by the ABC Made in-house creative team.

Music/Sounds: A cover of "I Am Australian" by The Seekers, sung by a female singer. The ABC Stories IDs use an instumental version of this, and the "Celebrating 90 Years" idents all use a new cover of the song for each of them. Later idents use various generic music cues. The "With You For Life" ident opens with a music box version of the Play School theme, before segueing a slow, soulful version of the Tourists' "I Only Want to Be With You".

Availability: Aired from 2018 until mid-2020. These set of idents were replaced by the "Stay Safe at Home" set of idents in mid-2020. Surprisingly, the School Choir ident premiered for the final times on December 12, 2020 before 11:00 AM, and on June 28, 2021 at 12:14 PM, 4:22 PM, 5:55 PM, and 7:14 PM on ABC Kids, even while the mid-2020-present idents were still in use! The "Celebrating 90 Years" idents are brand-new, and were only used to celebrate 90 years of the ABC in 2022.

Scare Factor: None.

23rd ID (February 2019-present)

Nicknames: "Lissajous Figure XXI" "Yours II"

ID: On a live-action backdrop, we see a box with a different, albeit relevant, live action clip in it. A white border draws in around the smaller box and the iconic Lissajous curve logo draws itself in as the "Yours" slogan fades in below.

Variant: Since 2021, the "Yours" tagline is replaced by "TV", and the ABC logo is a little smaller, and is moved slightly upward.

FX/SFX: Live-action mixed with simple 2D animation.

Music/Sounds: A new rendition of the 3-note jingle from the 11th ident, usually accompanied by a soft synth pad and sounds related to the imagery. The jingle plays in sync with the white border line hitting each corner of the inner box.

Availability: Current

Scare Factor: None.

Editor's Note: A worthy successor to the iconic 11th ident.

24th ID (Mid 2020-present)

Nicknames: "Stay Safe at Home", "Lissajous Figure XXII" "Yours in Isolation", "I Am Australian II", "Yours Australia"

ID: Footage of people or a person are shown singing "I Am Australian" from their homes. There are five variations of this ID.
 * Mixture: As it's title says, a compilation of live-action footage from other idents is shown.
 * ABC Kids & ABC Me: Various kids are shown singing from their homes.
 * AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language): Various people sign the song from their homes, such as former yellow wiggle Emma Watkins of The Wiggles (where her footage is recorded live at Hot Potato Studios).
 * Mixture (ft, Olivia Newton John): Similar to the Mixture ident, but with the inclusion of Olivia Newton John (who died two years after this ident in 2022). In addition, at one point, people draw the ABC Lissajous curve, which is a reference to the 1996-2000 idents.
 * Yours Victoria: TBA

FX/SFX: Live-action footage recorded from people's homes.

Music/Sounds: Normally, it uses an instrumental version of the cover of "I Am Australian" from the 22nd ID. The AUSLAN ident uses a cover of the song, sung by a female singer and ensemble.

Availability: Current.

Scare Factor: None.