Big Win Sirens

A series of sirens, bells and/or whistles heard on some game shows whenever a contestant has won big (at the Bonus Round, generally). These are sometimes accompanied by a Confetti Drop, although they have mysteriously been averted by the current big-money shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and its clones.

Possibly a Sub-Trope of Most Wonderful Sound. Contrast with Losing Horns, which you often hear if you don't win big.

Examples of Big Win Sirens include:

• The CBS daytime version of The Price Is Right, not surprisingly, has one of the most recognizable examples: the "clang clang clang / whoop, Whoop, WHOOOOOOP" that is played whenever a contestant wins a large cash prize or both Showcases (or the Showcase, in the Davidson version). Recycled in a sped-up form for car wins on the 1980s versions of Card Sharks.
  • The Big Spin, which was originally a Mark Goodson production (later headed by his son), also re-used this specimen for big wins.
• $100,000 wins on Tom Kennedy's version of Name That Tune were accompanied by every single type of siren imaginable.
• The One Million Chance of a Lifetime: In its first season, million dollar wins were accompanied by sirens, klaxons, and horns honking, not to mention the on-set hysterics. And fireworks shot out of the set.
• The New Treasure Hunt: Shrill sirens were played if the grand prize check was won on both Edwards versions. Also inverted, as the same sirens were toned down and used as Losing Horns if the contestant passed up the check.
• Bonus wins on Remote Control were heralded with alternating burglar alarm sirens. Inverted if the player lost the Bonus Round, as one of the sirens was used as the buzzer when time expired.
• There are at least two stock versions:
  • A series of very shrill sirens accompanied by an alarm bell, referred to sometimes as the "NBC sirens" given their origin. Heard on the following:
    • Scrabble - for a $20,000, $40,000, Bonus Sprint, or Tournament win
    • Dream House - for a house win, naturally.
    • Sale of the Century - when a major prize or the lot is won. A special "win music" cue was also played, and would be reprised during the closing fees and credits of that show.
    • Singled Out - when a match is made
    • Cram - when the Bonus Round is won
    • Beat the Geeks - inverted, when the Geeks beat a contestant in the Bonus Round
  • A generic set of sirens accompanied by a clanging bell. Heard on the following:
    • The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime, for second-season $1,000,000 wins
    • Supermarket Sweep, for Bonus Sweep wins
    • Fun House, whenever a team found the Power Prize in the Fun House
    • College Mad House, whenever a team found all 13 tags in the Fun Mad House