So, Turns Out Netflix Almost Used a Bleating Goat for Its Intro Sound

Well, this is wild.

It's safe to say that we are all familiar with Netflix's iconic "ta-dum" sound. We're talking about that short piece of sound that plays along with the logo before you stream one of Netflix's original series or films. 

In fact, it has become one of the most recognisable sonic logos in the whole world.

Of course, these memorable sonic logos have been part of branding in the film industry for a long time. So, it's no surprise that Netflix explored a variety of options before settling on its final sound.

What will surprise you, however, is that the streaming platform almost decided to feature the sound of a bleating goat.

Netflix revealed on a recent episode of the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast that the original version of their trademark logo used the sound of "goat bleating". 

In the podcast episode, host Dallas Taylor investigated what it took to create Netflix's "ta-dum" sound (which is what it's actually called). Netflix's Vice President Tod Yellin was in charge of the project and said he had sought to commission a sound that "makes you think of 'Wow, I'm going to get a treat, I'm about to get an amazing story, that's relevant to me, that's—most importantly—cinematic in my home.'" 

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#100 | Ta-Dum! It’s Netflix.

The never-before-told story behind the most recognizable sonic logo in the world. Plus, their second sonic logo by @HansZimmer that you may have never heard.

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— Twenty Thousand Hertz (@20korg) August 5, 2020

As Yellin explained, he knew that Netflix's sound needed to be short. Except, he still wanted something that would build up tension and release it. He also didn't want it to be too electronic, and thought it should immediately make the audience think "Netflix". 

The Netflix VP ended up contacting Lon Bender, an Oscar-winning sound editor who worked on Braveheart and Drive to help them come up with the sonic logo. Bender tried a whole bunch of sounds like doors opening, using strange instruments and filmmaking sounds. All up, he experimented with around 20 to 30 different sounds. 

Somehow, one of the final versions sounded similar to the current "ta-dum", but also included a goat noise. 

Yellin said, "If we were going to do that call-and-response, that creating tension and then resolving it really quickly, I liked the sound of the goat." 

"It's funny, I thought it was quirky. It was our version of MGM's Leo the Lion. For a while we were stuck on it." 

Despite that, a focus group preferred the "ta-dum" sound, associating it with words like "dramatic", "interesting", "beginning" and "movie". 

Yellin's 10-year-old daughter helped him make the decision when he was stuck between his top five picks. 

They added the final tonal swell, the "blossom", and finally created the sonic logo that we're so deeply familiar with. At the end of the podcast episode, Yellin pointed out that he's happy they didn't go with the goat noise. 

Netflix also has a longer sonic logo, which is played before the streaming platform's films when they're screened at film festivals and in theatres. This one was created by the legendary composer Hans Zimmer (Interstellar). 

@thecasiokid I literally just got off work and turned on the radio and the very first thing I hear is the Netflix sound with goat. I've never been more lost in the context of a conversation

— Pyromann700 (@Poe2RJ) August 6, 2020

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