Countdown Intros - 1982 to Present

Copyright @Channel4 and ITV

[@StephenDHenderson]

What makes me wonder is why it took them until 2002 to realise that the blue tiles were the obvious logo they should have using

[@ACBlackJ0ck]

That and the clock they've been using the entire duration of the show 🤣

[@HNBGamer]

The early versions did not have blue tiles though

[@KJK9029]

Hanoibus Gamer that’s an r/woosh buddy

[@sambee8982]

Actually it was 2001 when the first version of the tiles style opening titles with Richard and Carol were used, the uploader got it wrong, and the 1999 opening titles were used until 2001. Also to add is that there is a 3rd version of the Tiles style opening titles with Richard and Carol, used during Richard Whiteley's final series in 2005.

[@TheGangsterRH]

Exactly! The most relevant one.

[@twgkofi329]

Countdown genuinely haven't made one bad official intro. Great show.

[@Wizardaron]

1996-99 was awful

[@EightThreeEight]

@@Wizardaron I wouldn't call it awful. I'm not keen on the logo design, but it's still well animated, and it's the one that introduced the current version of the theme tune.

[@lukemccorkell6533]

It was actually good

[@firegoldpenguin]

ye that one sucks so bad @@Wizardaron

[@UKMonkey]

I find it stunning that the music is essentially unchanged. Some programs change music every year, but this fits so well to the show, that all it ever needed, was a little polishing

[@ProtoKun7]

In 40 years it's only gone through three major arrangements. Four if you include Celebrity Countdown.

[@lukemccorkell6533]

​@@ProtoKun7I Agree Yes Celebrity Countdown From (1998-2019)

[@mattwebb6056]

You can bet your bottom dollar that some new producer will come in one day say 'what's all that', change the theme and swap the analogue clock for a digital one to 'modernise it''. 😩

[@lukemccorkell6533]

@@mattwebb6056 Crazy

[@Volvoman90]

89-91 one is arguably the best here - listing all the words that can be made from "countdown". Utterly brilliant.

[@christopherstokes9393]

Well, not *all* of them, because then they would be listing 'COUNT' without the 'O'.

[@bowsette7841]

@@christopherstokes9393 lol

[@saltnessmonster]

I liked the one with Carol Vordernork’s

[@gravemind6536]

They forgot one word actually, cunt

[@Offical_RemyKWNicholls]

Hard to believe that the theme still used to this day has been on use since 1996.

[@my_beer_stories]

And that individual elements within the theme date back to even earlier than that.

[@ValeyardStudios]

how tehchnology influenced themes.

[@inactive1572]

love that sound when there's 10 seconds left 😁

[@ILoveMaths07]

You mean 7...

[@C345OFR]

Glad someone in the graphics department got rid of the vomiting clock!

[@sambee8982]

It was basically the same style as the 2001 to 2005, but because of Richard Whiteley's death, since the opening titles featured him and Carol Vordaman in it, they lazily replaced it with a closeup of the clock with the tiles flying out, and lazily replaced the background in 2009 after Des O'Connor and Carol Vordaman left the show in 2008 and the set got revamped.....

[@Vi0letR0gue]

Hey I like the vomiting clock!

[@ectopudding]

@@Vi0letR0gue me too

[@richhall4939]

I wish they'd update the opening titles again , every new year I always hope to see new openings , every year since 2009 it's roughly been the same apart from a few touch ups

[@SYDTrainsFilms]

Awww I liked that clock

[@sparklywarkly89]

The cogs in the head with the ticking metronomes is the one I remember the most (I've watched very little of countdown since the death of Richard Whiteley and departure of Carol Vorderman) I like that through all the very different intros the music has changed very little over the 30+ years it's been on the air

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

That is the cool thing about the show. It has stayed consistent with it's intros, kind of like Millionaire except for a lot longer. :)

[@ritadayal7881]

Owen 'PUFC' Simmonds it is his opinion and that is your opinion

[@traeyboy529]

I think the only reason you probably would of watch it still would be because of Susie, to be honest with you.

[@boisegameshowguy]

The 2002-2005 titles are their best, saying everything about the show, about Carol and about the late Richard Whiteley without saying a word. And it brought about their best logo.

[@Marina-uo8en]

I couldn’t agree more ❤❤🥺

[@benedettobruno1669]

Thank you Thatdudewiththesunglasses. As a non British person I find this series of intros fascinating as they let me a little into the history of this great show. And I can't get the delightful theme song off my head...I wouldn't want to.

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Yeah. I think it's cool to see how things have evolved which is why I like watching and making intro montages :)

[@jaidenkelly5888]

Benedetto Bruno - me too 😊

[@danwoodhouse9290]

tell you what, i have never seen any quiz shows from other countries where they "milk" the music like we do if you want more Great British Quiz Music there is the likes of Bobs Full House Odd One out wipeout call my bluff winner takes all Blockbusters and about 1001 others

[@jedqwerty]

American? Irish?

[@lukemccorkell6533]

@@jedqwerty British

[@lurch5376]

8 out of 10 cats does countdown is my personal favourite

[@Fcutdlady]

Music composed by Alan Hawkshaw

[@rabadooda]

Also father of Kirsty Hawkshaw electronic vocalist and member of Opus III who sang “Its a fine day”

[@cdwattie]

I watched countdown today for the first time in years but I still liked it better with with Whiteley and sexy vorders

[@richhall4939]

Lol

[@robertgoh8261]

Countdown has been through various sponsorship's throughout the years 1994 The Times 1998 Lyons Corner house cakes 1999 Seven Seas Cod liver oil + Teaser 2002 All bran + teaser 2007 Spec savers.

[@jedqwerty]

I notice a Brit.

[@el_lobsterman]

What about Fabio's Banisters

[@jpbdude4223]

Currently key equity release

[@jambogaming7884]

2005-2008 was the intro when I was a baby.

[@jasonburns4261]

I still remember the 1996 to 1999 intro very well. I saw it for the first time in 1998 when I was 4 years old.

[@richhall4939]

Nice to see them in the titles holding hands

[@christianengland]

The title music hasn't changed since 1996.

[@ynazzra]

This gives me goosebumps. The nostalgia!

[@97channel]

I think I like the ones up until the end of the 90's best, there was something a little more creative about them. It's all been slick and nice since then, but a bit unimaginative.

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Yeah, they were a lot more creative then. The 2003-2005 one is my favourite (even though it seems like a Richard and Carol soap) but the 1996-1999 one was the most creative!

[@edsy174ornek]

thatdudewiththesunglasses I think you should hold your own butt also at the moment we are in 2017 not 2015 and was sups with this weird music

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

MrDabbingGuy Dab!!! you obviously didn't hold onto your butt because you have diarrhoea spewing out which distracted you so much that you didn't realise this video was published on 22nd August 2015 :)

[@christiemiddleton5140]

thatdudewiththesunglasses 1

[@darisniko9535]

97channel u

[@Ethan12211]

I love this countdown

[@toongstar21]

6:21 was the first i heard lol

[@harrystrains3227]

The 2012 intro is the only one I remember as well as the one we have now

[@keiranclarke2955]

5:07 the best intro

[@walkingtalkingstephenhawki5171]

Honestly I know some people will disagree but I like it the most because it's not sharp on the ears like the other earlier version.

[@frenchgirl4438]

Me and my grandma would watch this together brings back memories

[@r4h4al]

Same.

[@joogiewatkins1519]

Same.

[@cmcmoviesmccabe350]

Same

[@Ravinder2220]

1991-1995 I remember the most. I like that version of the music too.

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Yeah, I like that one too! For the music, it was a good start but when they updated it in 1996 with more instruments the tune became really good!

[@flicky1991]

I was amazed how familiar that version looked considering I was born in 1991! I must have watched it a lot as a kid.

[@Drawyah]

4:04 & 4:34 - Brings back memories when I used to watch this with my nan every day. I used to have a piece of paper with me and tried to do them myself! 😂

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Drawyah Games I love when people share their memories. It so interesting and it shows they have passion for the video. I hope you enjoyed it :D

[@Louisjm-lj2mr]

Drawyah Games Relatable 😂😂

[@redlizardaviation5532]

Drawyah same

[@r4h4al]

Same. :)

[@siannmac]

Drawyah same man

[@ValeyardStudios]

can we have an updated video with ALL themes ever made? including ragtime

[@joshbacon8241]

I remember there was an online game version Countdown, and I used to play that quite a lot when I was 10.

[@Lycanroc-korrina2019]

My fav intros are 3:32 2003-05 rip whitely u legend 4:33 2009 to 2012 UNBELIEVABLE JEFF and 5:08 2012 from hewer to robinson to now colin Murray

[@Ian16545]

I remember watching only the Des Lynam version during a family trip to the UK in the summer of 2006 (which was actually a guided bus tour of England, Scotland and Wales-that started and ended in London, with us spending a few days therafter) while in our various hotel rooms from time to time. The only inkling of Richard Whiteley's version I saw was a home game I discovered in one of the London department stores. Now, I have read that we in America tried to bring _Countdown_ to our shores in 1990, but it didn't come to fruition (omitting the numbers game didn't help either). If I were in charge of an American version, I'd have it be played *exactly* like the 1990 pilot, but with the numbers game included. As for personnel, my picks would be: Sunil Narkar as host, Wally Wingert as announcer, Rachel Reynolds as Sunil's co-host, and Barbara Ann "14,000 Things to Be Happy About" Kipfer as word expert. Oh yeah, and I'd have it be part of ABC's _Summer Fun & Games_ block, too.

[@joshbacon8241]

How come the proposed American version never came to fruition?

[@duxtorm]

8 out of 10 cats ♥

[@williamthenicebutupsetguyg5691]

I like the 2005 & 2009 ones, 1996 - 1999 seems a bit weird over the Body in my opinion though. 1999-2002 is good could add pictures as 2003 did. nice video mate completely forgot about countdown!!! can you do deal or no deal intros I'll give the Years: 2005-2010 2011-2014 2014-2016 but it got axed by channel4 in 2016. good mate

[@Iogoligi]

William Goulden Oh I forgot about deal or no deal!

[@williamthenicebutupsetguyg5691]

NII BROWN doesn't matter sometimes we all forget where we are or something

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Hey only just saw this. I think the 2005 & 2009 ones are really good as well. Those are the ones I remember from my childhood. 1996 one is a bit weird but I think it is classic. I am not really that much of a fan of the 2002 and 2003 intros because they make it out to be more about the hosts than the game. Deal or No Deal intros sound like a good idea. I might get round to doing that sometime soon. :)

[@liljohnnybravo]

I love 1982-1989

[@TotoDG]

Can't stop thinking about that Frankie Boyle joke on Mock The Week now.

[@hotgurlpolly5236]

and what's that?

[@traeyboy529]

It may of possibly been one related to Countdown or something like that. @@hotgurlpolly5236

[@MisatoKatsuragiHD]

“I’m Richard Whiteley. Dudu dudu dudududu DUUUUUUUUUU”

[@_nexus5943]

I watched this as a kid when the intro was the cards spewing from the centre of the timer. I love this so much, so much nostalgia from my childhood

[@soficrece6401]

The titles 1991-1995 are the best

[@charlenegiles9592]

I love countdown

[@harriantoncornell5405]

Is someone going to speak up about Countdown nearly turning 40 yrs old

[@RS-gi9hu]

Just one more year to goo!!

[@HenryStickminCodeFan]

Countdown (2016-present)

[@TheJojyjohn]

We didn't get to see the purple countdown

[@harriantoncornell5405]

The 2005-2008 was the period was born in being born in 2006 the second year they used that intro

[@GlitchEntmt]

4:33

[@danwoodhouse9290]

id love to know what it is about the current music that its been allowed to outstay its welcome since 1996 thats 23 years of the same music

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Rest in peace Richard whiteley you will be sadly missed by millions of countdowners

[@sharonwhite8165]

I love the cont down its really cool 😃😮

[@Ethan12211]

We didn't get to see the purple countdown

[@richhall4939]

Oh celebrity countdown from 1998

[@geriatrictortoise8062]

I wonder if there'll be new titles and/or a new set when Anne Robinson takes over. That would be cool!

[@speakfreeley4473]

1987 sees the first computerized intro replacing the original animated one.

[@powerpink3984]

its about time in 2020 it had a change , its been the same for years, needs a new refreshing imagine

[@Cowman9791]

I agree with you there, having the same intro for 8 years means it's eventually going to feel old, I think it should have been changed when the new set came on in 2017

[@jpbdude4223]

@@Cowman9791 yeah and with a new host too, make it fit her style!

[@OccyDaBoss]

@@jpbdude4223 yeah, make the colour scheme gray and bleak just like her

[@ROBERTVANCETCIC-TV-1]

I love the show intros from 1982 to 1987 and From 1987 to 1989 and the one from 1989 to 1991 and the one from 1991 to 1995. These are my Personal Favorites I loved These ones.... 😃😃😃😃😃

[@DillcoStudios2]

I’ll recreate the theme song! Tick tock (x4) Da da da da da da da da da da da da dadada da! Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da dadadada! Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da. Tick tock (x8) da da da da da da DA DA… DA DA… DA DA DA DA Boom!

[@UltraJaff]

I’m ur 300th sub

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Thanks mate :)

[@CabbageDynamite_Lucy]

I would say 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is one as well.

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Yeah, I know, I forgot to add it. I might upload it separately or make a remastered version of this video :)

[@connorwatson7823]

I like the 8 out of 10 cats one, as well as the normal one 😀

[@danwoodhouse9290]

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown or "Celebrity Countdown" as some of us like to call it

[@RipeWatermelon]

@@thatdudewiththesunglasses is this ever gonna happen?

[@BCJ1985]

There's definitely a missing intro. Around 2000/2001, they altered the theme tune slightly. It proved unpopular and they ended up changing it back.

[@richhall4939]

I thought that was just the clock the did that with

[@BCJ1985]

@@richhall4939 That as well (a bit earlier).

[@richhall4939]

@@BCJ1985 oh right , I've never seen it/ can't remember it , everything ends up on KZbin eventually lol

[@norishimogawa6125]

never particularly cared much for the show, but heck if if all their intros don't slap!

[@michaeladkins6]

My first trip to the Uk was in2015. I saw episodes of regular Countdown and 8 out of 10. I still watch those on youtube. I have also downloaded the clock onto my phone.

[@MultiVince95]

Great video

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

Thanks. I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@jackkeith7812]

I like by how its changed all of the sudden from old 1982-1987 to new 2012.

[@Cowman9791]

I like the 2012 one, but i really think it's about time that they replaced it, using the same one for over nine and a half years just shows how lazy channel 4 graphics department are these days, particularly in terms of refreshing intros

[@Wizardaron]

I don't think the current one could be better.

[@spencer1372]

The music never changes, just shows how good it is

[@Cowman9791]

Well not entirely, they just revised it

[@brianleslie19]

Surely we’re due a new intro now that it’s been 10 years since it last changed.

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

I agree, I think it's a very boring intro compared to those in the past anyways.

[@pidlive]

Which network was the pilot "Calendar Countdown" on? It says 1981 but Channel 4 didn't first broadcast until November 1982.

[@danwoodhouse9290]

YORKSHIRE TELEVISION The story is goes - 1 - the pilot of calendar countdown was recorded (never televised in full, but is available on youtube) 2 - an 8 show series called "calendar countdown" was produced and broadcast on ITV (Yorkshire region only) this is sometimes rightfully or wrongfully referred to as a "pilot series" 3 - channel 4 showed an intrest in calendar countdown so another pilot episode was recorded called plain "COUNTDOWN" (Its never been seen on tv or youtube) 4 - 2 november 82 - countdown starts

[@DefoBpbradley1210]

I can't tell if 1981 is fake or a practice but I love 1998

[@richhall4939]

82

[@EightThreeEight]

The 1981 one is from the pilot episode.

[@josheysings]

My fave is 2012 ~ ???

[@dontcommentme2018]

5:06 2012-now

[@ayena-real]

The 2012 intro was a bit different from the one you showed It was actually the series 68 (2013) one, and it's still the current one in series 87 (2023)

[@pattontheapplegamer5437]

3:38 69 lol 😂

[@tylerwalsh5152]

I watch Countdown at 5:00am

[@rosePetrichor]

This theme slaps honestly

[@Ethan12211]

I love 1098 it's so cool and I watched it only by myself and do you know what I even watched the countdown and members account and everything I just can't do it 😭

[@notmuchtoit3090]

I don’t think it existed in 1098 bud

[@ashleyhallows2566]

Robert Peston would make a brilliant host of Countdown because he is boring.

[@mattwebb6056]

Bit like BBC News with the pips in their theme, a simple metronome with some accompaniment has helped make another TV theme iconic.

[@mattbarker581]

Jeff Stellings version is the best for me!

[@Vi0letR0gue]

This bring back nostalgia for me

[@Jver10]

RIP Alan Hawkshaw

[@kiyahicks356]

This video needs one thousand liked

[@lukedavis436]

This intro hasn't changed since evet

[@ajs41]

I didn't like it when all that silly yelping and cheering started to be heard at the end of the music from 2003 onwards. Sounds moronic and uncivilised in my opinion.

[@stinchjack]

Was that first intro out-dated even when it first aired?

[@hI-oi9mu]

Countdown 19972-19986-1990-19941996-1997-1999-2000-2001-2004-2006-2011-2014-2016-2017-2018.

[@danwoodhouse9290]

19972-19986?

[@terencestanton1870]

austrailan show celebrity letters and number now uses the same theme

[@pennyandfishy7241]

you forgot to add 25th anniversary intro

[@-sunsetemilia-3248]

and the Nick Hewer promo :)

[@pennyandfishy7241]

@@-sunsetemilia-3248 hello reply to comment from 4 years ago. 5:07 is the Nick Hewer intro, unless they have changed it. I commented this 4 years ago so probably not around back then

[@-sunsetemilia-3248]

@@pennyandfishy7241 ahh okay!

[@dodoairlines697]

And 8 out of 10 cats does countdown

[@Fasguy]

Wow. In 2009 they introduced lens flares.

[@lindsyreed5162]

5:06

[@dodoairlines697]

Fountains Post 16 @ BSDC 2021

[@DEC19775]

Don't remember 3rd intro

[@billyandleofootball]

0:55 my personal favourite intro

[@alexwiddowson3756]

Title Designers: 1991 - Grafax/Patrick McCarthy. 1996 - Patrick McCarthy. 1999 - Neil McConachie and Neil Robinson. 2001 & 2005 - Peppiate-Sharpe. 2009 & 2012 - VTR North.

[@hakanbjrnson124]

Judging from this, I somehow managed to spend the first decade of my life completely unexposed to Countdown. Our household wasn't big on TV mind.

[@cameronmitchell6157]

I love countdown

[@continentalrcinglg]

Those titles from the show's early years look like a take off of Sesame Street's Pinball Number Count segment.

[@Xofttam]

Shouldn't the clock start at the bottom and go backwards for it to be countdown?

[@lisarichards2915]

Used to watch this in my nans while waiting for my mum to finish work to pick me up I was only small 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Nathaniel2256Studios]

The 2009 intro was the one I grew up with

[@JayBansal2012]

The last one should have said 2012-present instead of 2012-????

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

+Jay Bansal You have a good point. I put ????? to imply that I don't know when they will stop using it. I basically meant it to be the same thing. Hope you enjoyed the video anyways!

[@frenchgirl4438]

I'm guessing they'll have a new one before 2019 or so

[@cgbgaming9363]

French Girl probably but they have bin doing that intro for 6 years

[@MrKpsuk84]

It's surprising that the last set of titles have been in use for so long now (7 years and counting), considering they are usually changed after 3 - 4 years.

[@cgbgaming9363]

@@MrKpsuk84 I know I've been waiting for 2 years now

[@paianis]

The framerate's kinda wrong, it should be 25 and not 30.

[@MadMikeSportsYT]

They need to try this show in the US! I think it would work now better than it would've worked when they piloted it in 1990.

[@richhall4939]

Can't believe it got piloted with Micheal jackson lol madness , couldn't imagine him as a game show host

[@MadMikeSportsYT]

@@richhall4939 Not THAT Michael Jackson. They went with an LA radio personality with the same name as the King of Pop.

[@richhall4939]

@@MadMikeSportsYT lol I feel a bit stupid now lol

[@MadMikeSportsYT]

@@richhall4939 If they were to try this again in the States, my pick for host would be NASCAR on NBC commentator Rick Allen.

[@andymurday4538]

The 1982-86 intro is the best intro Countdown had.

[@marymitchell3386]

The audience REALLY screw up the intro making it worse for us to hear

[@witherblaze]

Can you do the clock theme from all the shows?

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

I'll consider it because it's actually a pretty cool idea. For the last 25 years its been the same but there was a short lived version used for the first week or so of 1996 that added a random little sound effect. I'll link it to you when it's done☺

[@thatdudewiththesunglasses]

+witherblaze Link to that video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3jdemyJqrGXl7c

[@tomos4590]

countdown is basically my favourite game show since I was a kid