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How Streaming Killed the TV Theme Song and the Intros We Will Never Forget

How Streaming Killed the TV Theme Song and the Intros We Will Never Forget

How Streaming Killed the TV Theme Song and the Intros We Will Never Forget

REDPIXEL.PL / Shutterstock.com

"I'll Be There for You"

Getty Images / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

"Sex and the City Theme"

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

"Meet the Flintstones"

Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

"It's Cartoon Gold"

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

"With a Little Help From My Friends"

Courtesy of ABC

"Today Is Gonna Be a Great Day"

Courtesy of Disney Channel

"Think!"

Amanda Edwards / Stringer / Getty Images

"Scooby Doo, Where Are You?"

Courtesy of Hanna-Barbera Productions

"Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?"

Courtesy of National Educational Television (NET)

"The Addams Family Theme"

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

"The Twilight Zone Theme"

Courtesy of CBS

"Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

"The Brady Bunch"

Courtesy of CBS

"Theme from Mission: Impossible"

Courtesy of Paramount Television

"The Simpsons Theme"

Courtesy of 20th Television

"In the Street"

Courtesy of Carsey-Werner Distribution

"Low Rider"

Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

"SpongeBob SquarePants Theme"

Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

How Streaming Killed the TV Theme Song and the Intros We Will Never Forget
"I'll Be There for You"
"Sex and the City Theme"
"Meet the Flintstones"
"It's Cartoon Gold"
"With a Little Help From My Friends"
"Today Is Gonna Be a Great Day"
"Think!"
"Scooby Doo, Where Are You?"
"Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?"
"The Addams Family Theme"
"The Twilight Zone Theme"
"Won't You Be My Neighbor?"
"The Brady Bunch"
"Theme from Mission: Impossible"
"The Simpsons Theme"
"In the Street"
"Low Rider"
"SpongeBob SquarePants Theme"

How Streaming Killed the TV Theme Song and the Intros We Will Never Forget

As time goes on, more and more people are canceling their cable subscriptions and instead streaming shows and movies. In May 2025, about 44.8% of all TV usage was streaming. This is a 71% increase from 2021.

While not surprising, it is changing how we view TV and how producers edit it together. For instance, when was the last time you listened to an entire intro for a show? Often, when you binge a series (as many of us do), you skip the introduction and theme song to get to the next episode.

Unfortunately, this is killing theme songs and openings. One study even found that openings/theme songs are lasting only about 5 seconds, compared to 20+ seconds during the 1980s.

This change is inevitable. Still, streaming can't take away the best theme songs. Click through the slideshow for the best theme songs that even streaming can't touch.

For these theme songs, 24/7 Tempo reviewed entertainment and music-related websites to find iconic TV theme songs known across generations.

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