UK Format Update: “The Common Denominator”; “Race the Clock”; “Countdown”; “1001 Things You Should Know”
It’s always good news when we see a large number of games debut in a short period of time. This happened over the past few days in the United Kingdom, as four daytime games are getting set to launch. We’ve got news on them all. Incidentally all of these shows are on Channel 4 also so if you are in England or can watch the channel from abroad you’ve got a lot to look forward to.
*As we previously announced Channel 4 has picked up the lateral thinking quiz show The Common Denominator. The series, hosted by Phil Spencer, sees contestants trying to win cash prizes by trying to figure out how two seemingly random things are related. If you’re familiar with BBC Four’s excellent Only Connect then you get the idea for this show, but just dumb it down for daytime and 4. The half-hour show will air daily in early 2013. This is one of the first 30 minute daytime games in some time. Forty episodes have been announced
*Channel 4 has also announced Race the Clock hosted by Rory Bremner. This show sees contestants trying to keep control of the game for as long as possible but must avoid running out of time and walking away with nothing.
*Channel 4′s long running daytime word game Countdown is moving to an earlier time of 2:40PM UK starting November 12th. It’s been bleeding viewers for a long time and the push-back to the earlier slot is starting to appear like the beginning of the kiss of death.
*What’s making Countdown move? 4′s quiz show 1001 Things You Should Know, hosted by Sandi Toksvig, will launch on November 12th at 3:30PM UK, leading in to Deal or No Deal which remains in its same slot. This show sees contestants being quizzed on things they should know (it’s in the title), and answering correctly lets them play for more money on more difficult questions. The day’s champion returns for the next show.
Looking forward to any of these in particular?
Source : C21 Media
This is not good news, I love Countdown and I can’t believe it’s on the verge of cancelation. It’s the longest running quiz on UK television with no major revisions except set changes over the years. I don’t know if the new timeslot will help or hurt the show. But the show airing at 4pm (TeaTime) in the UK was appointment television.
It would be a shame if this show goes off the air, it’s one of the last shows that involve inteligence, which is what we need desperately here in the states.
Countdown has been recommissioned for a couple more years I think – but it’s no wonder it’s losing viewers when it’s moved earlier and earlier and earlier. It wouldn’t be so bad if they knock 15 minutes off Deal or No Deal again so Countdown could air at 3pm, new quizzes at 3.45pm and Deal at 4.15pm. At least then Countdown would share a common junction with rival shows on BBC1 and ITV1.
I wonder if ABC is going to consider picking up 1,001 Things You Should Know, since they did air 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show…
Of course. They both have palindromic numbers in them. That’s why the top prize in Millionaire is being raised by $1.