New Countdown conundrum after ratings slump: Is the clock ticking on show's future?
At its peak it was watched by up to four million but on Tuesday it managed just 260,000 viewers – the lowest in its history
Afternoon slump: Nick Hewer with Susie Dent and Rachel Riley
Channel 4
Bosses on Countdown are grappling with a new conundrum – GNIHSNIFI.It spells “finishing” – and that’s what may be on the cards for the letter and numbers show if viewing figures continue to fall.At its peak under Richard Whiteley the Channel 4 favourite was watched by up to four million.But Tuesday’s edition managed just 260,000 viewers – the lowest in its history.On other days this week the 30-year-old series, hosted by Nick Hewer and Rachel Riley, struggled to reach 400,000.A TV source said: “Countdown is cheap to make but these figures are very worrying."The clock is ticking and this signals the beginning of the end.“How much longer will they stick with something that has lost so many viewers?“You can’t keep it on indefinitely just because it has history. The numbers do not add up.”Countdown was the first show to be broadcast when Channel 4 launched in 1982. It was presented by Whiteley for over 20 years until his death in 2005. Des Lynam, took over followed by Des O’Connor.Founding co-host Carol Vorderman left in 2008. Her last show pulled in 1.8 million.From 2009 Jeff Stelling and Rachel replaced O’Connor and Vorderman. They managed up to 1.3 million viewers.But in 2011 Stelling announced he was leaving and in January 2012 Hewer presented his first edition alongside Rachel.Channel 4 last night insisted they would stick with the show for the time being.A spokesman said: “Countdown remains a core part of our daytime schedule.”A source added: “It is currently due to stay on air throughout the year and is commissioned into 2014.“This year the series is averaging 500,000 viewers and a 6.8% share of the audience – better than it managed this week but a far cry from its heyday.”
At its peak it was watched by up to four million but on Tuesday it managed just 260,000 viewers – the lowest in its history
Afternoon slump: Nick Hewer with Susie Dent and Rachel Riley Channel 4
Bosses on Countdown are grappling with a new conundrum – GNIHSNIFI.It spells “finishing” – and that’s what may be on the cards for the letter and numbers show if viewing figures continue to fall.At its peak under Richard Whiteley the Channel 4 favourite was watched by up to four million.But Tuesday’s edition managed just 260,000 viewers – the lowest in its history.On other days this week the 30-year-old series, hosted by Nick Hewer and Rachel Riley, struggled to reach 400,000.A TV source said: “Countdown is cheap to make but these figures are very worrying."The clock is ticking and this signals the beginning of the end.“How much longer will they stick with something that has lost so many viewers?“You can’t keep it on indefinitely just because it has history. The numbers do not add up.”Countdown was the first show to be broadcast when Channel 4 launched in 1982. It was presented by Whiteley for over 20 years until his death in 2005. Des Lynam, took over followed by Des O’Connor.Founding co-host Carol Vorderman left in 2008. Her last show pulled in 1.8 million.From 2009 Jeff Stelling and Rachel replaced O’Connor and Vorderman. They managed up to 1.3 million viewers.But in 2011 Stelling announced he was leaving and in January 2012 Hewer presented his first edition alongside Rachel.Channel 4 last night insisted they would stick with the show for the time being.A spokesman said: “Countdown remains a core part of our daytime schedule.”A source added: “It is currently due to stay on air throughout the year and is commissioned into 2014.“This year the series is averaging 500,000 viewers and a 6.8% share of the audience – better than it managed this week but a far cry from its heyday.”