Im not sure how this has spilt by but Ch4 at it again:
14.40: Countdown
15.30: 1001 Things You Should Know NEW
16.00: Deal or no deal.
Why are they moving Countdown even further away? I still think there need to cut it back to 45mins max aswell/
I think this is C4's way of quietly killing off Countdown by putting it in a mid afternoon slot and then eventually cancelling it due to "poor ratings". Their main teatime quiz is now Deal Or No Deal. It's quite amazing really that Countdown has kept on going for 30 years now! I know Richard Whiteley's gags were cringeworthy to say the least but he WAS Countdown as far as I'm concerned and the show just ain't the same without him.
I think this is C4's way of quietly killing off Countdown by putting it in a mid afternoon slot and then eventually cancelling it due to "poor ratings". Their main teatime quiz is now Deal Or No Deal. It's quite amazing really that Countdown has kept on going for 30 years now! I know Richard Whiteley's gags were cringeworthy to say the least but he WAS Countdown as far as I'm concerned and the show just ain't the same without him.
Countdown recently got renewed for another two years so it's with us until the end of 2014, although it doesn't get the ratings it once did it doesn't really cost much to make in comparison to the likes of DoND. But I'm not impressed with the new time of 2.40pm. Although I agree with you about RW the show has gone on and succeeded without him (no disrespect) but the format's lasted and still strong, I'm not Nick's biggest fan, I preferred Jeff Stelling, but he's better than the two Des'.
It's a shame - even if Deal was cut back to 45 minutes and Countdown got a 3pm start it wouldn't be so bad, but 2.40pm is just such a random start time - though might have worked better for them a few years ago when the BBC had Neighbours and Doctors. Countdown's real problem is Nick Hewer - absolutely lacking in all the characteristics needed to front such a show.
If they are intent on moving Countdown to an earlier timeslot, why not go the whole hog and have it at 1210 (extend the midday news by a few minutes). At least it would make some sense then instead of 240!!!
I think Hewer's style is an acquired taste probably, but I think a lot of people like him and his subtle humour.
Really - and that ratings article was C4 spin, comparing his ratings for January to the whole of 2011. Countdown is known to get significantly more viewers in the winter than summer.
You need a bit of personality for a show like Countdown - Nick Hewer doesn't even have enough personality to be a politician.
:-(
A former member
You know who should have gotten it. Hes as bad as Richard
Within it's first week at 2.40pm Countdown will get dropped one day due to racing - another issue with the move to an earlier slot, and something that's going to happen more and more often next year with C4's increased racing commitment.
C4 do need to be trying new things in the afternoons but shoe horning them in between Countdown and Deal or No Deal isn't the way to do it. What they need to do is reduce the run of both shows and then use the slots when they're not airing to try new things. In the case of Countdown - and taking into consideration the racing calendar, I would shorten each series to four months, with one in the autumn and then one from March to July, bookended by Cheltenham and Royal Ascot. Deal or No Deal at the very least needs a summer break and it's weekend editions (which now air 12.45pm on Saturdays) axing.
I think Hewer's style is an acquired taste probably, but I think a lot of people like him and his subtle humour.
Really - and that ratings article was C4 spin, comparing his ratings for January to the whole of 2011. Countdown is known to get significantly more viewers in the winter than summer.
You need a bit of personality for a show like Countdown - Nick Hewer doesn't even have enough personality to be a politician.
That's your opinion - I prefer him to either Des or Jeff Stelling (and I like Des O'Connor and Jeff Stelling). Out of the Whiteley replacements, Nick is the only one I will specifically turn over to watch. He's also (I believe) the only Countdown presenter with a catchphrase - "You be sure of it".
