Countdown was a long-running popular weekly Australian music television show broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 8 November 1974 until 19 July 1987. It was created by Executive Producer Michael Shrimpton, producer/director Robbie Weekes and record producer and music journalist Ian "Molly" Meldrum. Countdown was produced at the studios of the ABC in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. Countdown was the most popular music program in Australian TV history. It was broadcast nationwide on Australia's government-owned broadcaster, the ABC and commanded a huge and loyal audience. It soon exerted a strong influence on radio programmers because of its audience and the amount of Australian content it featured. For most of the time it was on air, it also gained double exposure throughout the country by screening a new episode each Sunday evening, and then repeating it the following Saturday evening. The majority of performances on the show were lip synched.
Ian 'Molly' Meldrum
Host / "Humdrum" Presenter
John Farnham
Kylie Minogue
Paul Kelly
Elton John
Jon English
Marcia Hines
The final season in 1987 marked the end of an era. Crowded House and Kylie Minogue were among the standout acts, while international guests maintained global appeal. As the program concluded in July, its legacy was clear: Countdown had defined Australian music television for over a decade, shaping generations of fans and artists.
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