You may have never said Tudum out loud — but you’ve heard it hundreds of times. It’s the signal that a new story is about to begin, and it became so iconic that it turned into a website, a global event, and even a marketing campaign.
Why is it called Tudum? That’s the question we’ll answer here: what is the real origin of the name Tudum — the Netflix sound that became a brand?
The Fan Theory: House of Cards and the Ring Tap
Frank Underwood in House of Cards
For years, a popular fan theory circulated: the Tudum sound came from an iconic scene in House of Cards. In it, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) slams his fist on a desk, and the ring on his finger creates a deep, sharp sound — very similar to Netflix’s intro.
The theory made sense. House of Cards was Netflix’s first major original series, and the scene was symbolically powerful. There was just one problem: it wasn’t true.
Why is it called Tudum? The official origin
Lon Bender, sound designer
The true origin of the name Tudum — and the answer to why it’s called Tudum — only became public in 2020, on the podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz. Todd Yellin, Netflix’s Vice President of Product, explained that between 2015 and 2016, the company was searching for a striking sound — something that would represent the brand in a unique and emotional way.
That’s when Oscar-winning sound designer Lon Bender heard an unusual sound: the tap of his wedding ring on a wooden cabinet. That single tap became the foundation of the intro we all recognize today.
How the Sound Was Sculpted into the Final Tudum
The sound of the ring on wood was only the starting point. From there, it went through an extensive sound design process.
Lon Bender layered several carefully chosen sounds: a slowed-down anvil hit, muted cinematic percussion, and finally, a reversed electric guitar sound from the 1990s, nicknamed the “blossom” — a sonic bloom that ends the intro with a hint of suspense.
The goal was clear: to create a minimalistic but emotionally powerful sound. Something that would say, without words, that an important story was about to unfold.
And it worked. In less than two seconds, Tudum became instantly recognizable around the world — a sonic signature capable of generating immediate anticipation with just one impact.
The Sound That Almost… Was a Goat
The final decision wasn’t automatic. Among the sounds considered was — believe it or not — a goat bleat.
Yes, the idea was to create something as iconic as the MGM lion’s roar, but with a touch of irreverence. Other atmospheric sounds were explored too, like bubbles rising from the ocean floor. However, none of them captured the essence quite like Tudum — direct, simple, and instantly memorable.
A Real-Life Branding Retcon? Not Quite
Netflix’s official explanation might feel like a real-life retcon — a new version of the story that adds meaning to something born out of chaos. But in this case, it wasn’t exactly a rewrite.
Netflix had never shared any other version of the story. The gap was filled by fans, who created spontaneous theories and visual associations. By the time Netflix revealed the true origin, the sound was already so iconic that any story could’ve worked — and they chose one that was simple, symbolic, and unforgettable.
From Intro to Cultural Identity
Netflix sign that plays the Tudum sound when rotating
Today, the origin of the name Tudum is not just a fun piece of trivia. It’s an example of how a sound can become a brand, a global event, and a cultural identity.
Tudum is no longer just an intro. It’s the name of a website, a fan festival, and a global marketing project. It proves that, when well-executed, a single sound can become as memorable as any visual.
And sometimes, all it takes is a ring tapping on wood to mark the beginning of a story no one will ever forget.
Explore the Event Behind Tudum
Learn how Netflix’s Tudum event was born — and how it grew into a global celebration of entertainment and storytelling.
Sources
Posts Recomendados
Carregando recomendações...
