Countdown Game Show – Rules And History

Countdown is an iconic game show that is loved in households all over the UK. Popular for combining English-language anagrams and numeracy challenges, the show remains a hit with players of all ages due to its educational gameplay that can sharpen the mind of contestants and viewers alike.

Rules of Countdown

In each episode of Countdown, two contestants compete against each other to score the maximum score possible across three types of rounds, letters rounds, numbers rounds and finally the Countdown Conundrum. Unlike other shows, Countdown contestants do not play for money, but the winning contestant is allowed to play again in the next episode.

Letters round

In these rounds, a contestant will pick letters from two face-down stacks of either vowels or consonants until 9 letters have been chosen. When all letters have been chosen, there must be at least three vowels and four consonants on the board.

Next, the two contestants have 30 seconds to form the longest word possible using only the letters given, with none of the letters appearing more than the amount of times they are shown. Players must write down the words that they think of, in the case that they both choose to play the same word.

Once the 30 second timer has run out, the host of the show will ask each of the contestants to declare the word length they would like to play, starting with the contestant who chose the letters on the board. The contestant who has made the longest valid word will score 1 point per letter, however if a 9-letter word has been created, they will score 18 points.

In the case that each contestant has used valid identical words or words of equal length, both of the contestants will score points. Furthermore, when the same word has been played by both players, they must show each other their written words as proof that they match.

Any contestant that inaccurately declares their word length will score 0 points even if the word is valid. Each letters round will end with the experts from Dictionary Corner informing the participants and the viewer of the longest words and/or unusual words that could have been formed using the letters given.

Numbers round

Each number round follows two letter Rounds, with a contestantchoosing the numbers on the board to be used. In this round, the chosen contestant must choose 6 of 24 face-down and shuffled number tiles that are arranged into two groups (small numbers from 1 – 10 and large numbers of 25, 50, 75 & 100).

To do so, they must declare how many large numbers they wish to use, between 0 and 4, and the remaining number of small numbers to reach 6 in total will be chosen at random.

Next, a three-digit target number will be calculated and shown on the screen of an electronic machine (“CECIL”) and the contestants have a total of 30 seconds to use the determined numbers to make a calculation that lands on or is as close to the target number as possible. When making their calculation, contestants do not have to use all of the 6 numbers and are only allowed to use the four basic operations of mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Division can only be applied where there is no remainder and each number can only be used as many times as it appears. As in the letters round, both contestants must declare their best result and if they both claim the same number, they should show each other their written work before discussing their calculations.

Only the contestant who has got closest to the target will score points and points are scored in the following way.

10 to 6 points away from target: 5 points
5 to 1 point away from target: 7 points
Achieve target number: 10 points

Both contestants will score if they both prove they can land on the same scorable number and if no contestant can reach the target, the game’s assistant will be called upon to provide a solution.

Countdown Conundrum

For the game’s final round, both contestants will be shown a 9-letter anagram at the same time that needs to be rearranged to form a new word. For this round, again players have a total of 30 seconds to answer and the first to buzz in and answer correctly will earn themself 10 points.

In addition, each player is only allowed 1 guess at the Countdown Conundrum. If neither contestant is unable to solve the word, the presenter will ask the audience if anybody knows the answer.

In the event that the game is tied after this round, players will play an additional Conundrum (or multiple Conundrums) until one player gains the additional points needed to win. Once the game has ended, the loser will go home with a goody bag while the winner will receive a special teapot and the chance to return for the next edition of the show.

If a player is able to win 8 times in a row, they will be declared an Octochamp and forced to retire from the show.

Broadcasting history of Countdown

Due to its popularity in the UK, the main series of Countdown has been running since 1982 in addition to having many special series and episodes since 1989.

Main series

As of 2024, there have been 89 seasons of Countdown, with an additional season to be released later in the year.
There have been a total of 8,305 episodes broadcast to date.
All of Countdown’s seasons have been broadcast on Channel 4.
Countdown has had 7 official main hosts at various points throughout the show’s history, Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor, Jeff Stelling, Nick Hewer, Anne Robinson and Colin Murray.

Years	Season	Total episodes	Broadcaster	Main host(s)
1982 – 1982	1	27	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1983 – 1983	2	53	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1983 – 1983	3	52	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1984 – 1984	4	52	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1984 – 1984	5	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1985 – 1985	6	54	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1985 – 1985	7	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1986 – 1986	8	59	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1986 – 1986	9	47	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1986 – 1986	10	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1987 – 1987	11	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1987 – 1987	12	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1987 – 1987	13	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1987 – 1987	14	63	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1988 – 1988	15	50	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1988 – 1988	16	55	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1989 – 1989	17	55	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1989 – 1989	18	70	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1990 – 1990	19	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1990 – 1990	20	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1991 – 1991	21	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1991 – 1991	22	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1991 – 1992	23	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1992 – 1992	24	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1993 – 1993	25	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1993 – 1993	26	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1994 – 1994	27	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1994 – 1994	28	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1995 – 1995	29	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1995 – 1995	30	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1996 – 1996	31	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1996 – 1996	32	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1996 – 1996	33	60	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1996 – 1997	34	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1997 – 1997	35	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1997 – 1997	36	65	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1997 – 1997	37	60	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1997 – 1998	38	130	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1998 – 1998	39	130	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1998 – 1999	40	130	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1999 – 1999	41	121	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1999 – 2000	42	124	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2000 – 2000	43	114	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2000 – 2001	44	131	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2001 – 2001	45	43	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2001 – 2001	46	67	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2002 – 2002	47	127	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2002 – 2002	48	110	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003 – 2003	49	122	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003 – 2003	50	103	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004 – 2004	51	114	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004 – 2004	52	112	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2005 – 2005	53	119	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2005 – 2006	54	153	Channel 4	Des Lynam
2006 – 2006	55	150	Channel 4	Des Lynam
2007 – 2007	56	120	Channel 4	Des O’Connor
2007 – 2007	57	126	Channel 4	Des O’Connor
2008 – 2008	58	119	Channel 4	Des O’Connor
2008 – 2008	59	105	Channel 4	Des O’Connor
2009 – 2009	60	111	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2009 – 2009	61	110	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2010 – 2010	62	110	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2010 – 2010	63	115	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2011 – 2011	64	100	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2011 – 2011	65	120	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2012 – 2012	66	119	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2012 – 2012	67	97	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2013 – 2013	68	107	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2013 – 2013	69	118	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2014 – 2014	70	107	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2014 – 2014	71	110	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2015 – 2015	72	100	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2015 – 2015	73	121	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2016 – 2016	74	107	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2016 – 2016	75	109	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2017 – 2017	76	121	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2017 – 2017	77	122	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2018 – 2018	78	117	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2018 – 2018	79	126	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2019 – 2019	80	128	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2019 – 2019	81	124	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2020 – 2020	82	182	Channel 4	Nick Hewer and Colin Murray
2021 – 2021	83	125	Channel 4	Nick Hewer and Colin Murray
2021 – 2021	84	128	Channel 4	Anne Robinson
2022 – 2022	85	120	Channel 4	Anne Robinson
2022 – 2022	86	135	Channel 4	Anne Robinson, Colin Murray, Les Dennis, Jenny Eclair and guest hosts
2023 – 2023	87	129	Channel 4	Colin Murray
2023 – 2023	88	126	Channel 4	Colin Murray
2024 – 2024	89	129	Channel 4	Colin Murray
2024 – 2024	90	TBA	Channel 4	Colin Murray

Special series and episodes

As of 2024, there have been 2 Masters seasons, 2 Celebrity seasons and several other special episodes of Countdown.
In total, this amounts to 163 episodes from 1989 to the end of 2020.
In addition to these, many spin-off episodes have been created based upon the Countdown format.

Years	Name*	Season	Total episodes	Broadcaster	Main host(s)
1989 – 1990	Masters	1	52	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1990 – 1991	Masters	2	52	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
1997	Christmas Special	N/A	1	Channel 4	William G. Stewart
1998 – 1998	Celebrity	1	8	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Husband & Wife	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Replayed Series 40 Final	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	High Scoring Losers	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Maths Teachers	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Solicitors	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Clergymen	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Scrabble Masters	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Replayed Series 31 Final	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Champions of Champions IX & X	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Police Officers	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	High Scoring Losers II	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2003	Series 47 & 48 Champions	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Publicans	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Father & Daughter	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Replayed Series 35 Final	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Replayed Series 39 Final	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Aficionados	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Replayed Series 37 Final	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Mother & Son	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Starlets	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2004	Brothers	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2005	Cabaret Entertainers	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2005	Starlets	N/A	1	Channel 4	Richard Whiteley
2010	Series 60 & 61 Champions	N/A	1	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2010	High Scoring Losers III	N/A	1	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2010	Young Stars	N/A	1	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2010	Replayed Series 59 Final	N/A	1	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2011	Deciding Special	N/A	1	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2011	Female Finalists	N/A	1	Channel 4	Jeff Stelling
2012	Sister & Brother	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2012	Series 64 & 65 Champions	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2012	Female Winners	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2012	Husband & Wife	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2012	Male Finalists	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2013	Lovebirds	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2014	Battle of the Bobbys	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2014	Senior Females	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2014	Battle of the Mc’s	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2015	Sisters	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2015	Law & Order	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2015	Veterans	N/A	1	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2019 – 2020	Celebrity	2	6	Channel 4	Nick Hewer
2020	Battle of Bingley	N/A	1	Channel 4	Colin Murray
2020	Series 63 & 69 Champions	N/A	1	Channel 4	Colin Murray
2020	All-time greats	N/A	1	Channel 4	Colin Murray

(*Excludes spin-offs)

Countdown FAQ

What is 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown?

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is a spin-off TV comedy game show hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr.
Based on the Countdown format, the show also stars Susie Dent, Rachel Riley, Jon Richardson, Joe Wilkinson and previously Sean Lock.
As of 2024, it has aired for 25 seasons and 157 episodes in total.

Where to watch Countdown?

Since its being introduced to UK Television in 1982, Countdown has been constantly available to watch on Channel 4 to the present day. However in Wales specifically, it was available on S4C until 2010.

What is the Countdown theme?

The Countdown “Chimes” theme music was composed by Alan Hawkshaw, who also produced a number of other famous theme tunes. In 1996, he was commissioned to rework the music to add extra intensity, however hundreds of complaints led to his original theme being reinstated after just 12 episodes.