UK version Des chiffres et des lettres

the first uk version of series broadcast on yorkshire television commissioned series of 8 shows under title calendar countdown, spin-off of regional news programme calendar. presenter of calendar, richard whiteley natural choice present these shows broadcast in yorkshire area. current long-running united kingdom series countdown began in 1982, on channel 4 still made yorkshire television. close adaptation of same format, main differences rounds last 30 seconds instead of 45, 1 contestant chooses letters in each round , duels replaced countdown conundrum , nine-letter anagram.

the style of presentation notably (and deliberately) more old fashioned, , prides on featuring no computerised elements whatsoever, other random number generator numbers round. whereas contestants on des chiffres et des lettres use computer touch-screens register words / number solutions, countdown contestants use pen , paper. unlike des chiffres et des lettres computerised displays, countdown s letters , numbers displayed on boards, time limit being measured using huge clock face @ of set, opposed bar gradually filling in. clock, , music played during rounds, have become icons of uk show, , have become famous.

no major prizes offered, winners receiving dictionary, home version of game, , special countdown teapot depicting show s clock face. winner of each series receives leather bound complete set of oxford english dictionary. low-tech , low-budget nature of production subject of numerous jokes within programme.