I know you all take the p out of me for being a figures bore but I think you'll find this interesting.

Since DOND took a summer break it's timeslot has been covered by two shows; a Place in the Sun and Come Dine with Me. Now these are not dud shows, both have been hot enough to earn primetime Channel 4 slots. However, beteween them they are averaging, for the 4:15 til 5pm slot that DOND normally covers, 600 - 700 thousand viewers.

600 thousand. That's why I always go on about how miraculous the DOND figures are.

Wow, crikey.

But Come Dine With Me is soooooooooo much better than DOND at the moment! The other thing admittedly looks *beep* though.

I think that's terrible news.

It just means C4/Endemol has no incentive whatsoever to try and improve things by encouraging more gambling and risk taking. If people have been watching the season 3 drivel in their droves then Endemol can carry on saving a packet by continuing to choose cautious contestants with ludicrous names or silly hair who are content to win a few thousand with no risk whatsoever.

They'll be eagerly watched by a flock of sheep plopped in front of a telly too comatose or stupid to notice the squandering of golden boards and tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds missed out on for the sake of a bit of bravery.

A dip in the rating might get them to pull their fingers out and put some gamblers on. Or somebody that will at least take some risk.

But I won't hold my breath.

I'm not really bothered about the new season. I'm at the point that if I miss a show I don't care anymore.

Lol! And why would they do that exactly? When all the evidence shows categorically that the whether players "gamble" or not, is totally irrelevant to the show's popularity?

If the ratings ever did dip they'd naturally try and do something to get the show on back on track, I agree. But that certainly won't be "putting some gamblers on" because:
A - it's impossible to know who will gamble and who won't
and B - that's evidently not what ordinary viewers want, whether you accept it or not.

Besides, they work so far ahead they can't respond to figures anyway.

Exactly. They can't control people's attitudes in a random game, in the same way they can't control what amounts come to the table. The twists we've seen lately - banker's birthday, sunshine/sunburn - are just the makers trying to spruce up the show using the elements they DO have some control over.

That pretty much ensures DoND on our screens for the next five years. Like it or not, this show's going to be a television staple well into the next decade. I guarantee you it will outlast The Weakest Link.

Here's to years more fabulous debate on this website then!!

I wonder if Noel will be still hosting the show in 5 years time though.

And if he's not, and the show keeps going, who with?

All imponderables, and this site is going to no doubt be alive with speculation as the show evolves. What the Come Dine With Me and A Place In The Sun ratings prove beyond doubt is that the evolution will continue (because this show never, ever stops evolving, it's just the nature of it and anyway Endemol like to mix things up as we well know!) - and to that I say 'bring it on'!

Also, any bets on primetime DoND to return, perhaps for £500k?

I wouldn't. Not in this economic situation, really. A Primetime version would include the twists, and be longed out into an hour.

Probably right there, Aaron; £500k games now would be significantly more likely to end in early Deals, which makes it hard to pad out the time effectively. That's a bigger problem in primetime than daytime, too.

That's partly why I wondered if Noel would still be here in the years to come. With TV companies/channels looking at ways to save money, if Noel was to ask for a bigger salary when his contract comes up for renewal (whenever that is) would they (Endemol/C4) agree to it or would they try and find a cheaper replacement?

Noel is an integral part of the show now and if he were to leave I suspect the viewing figures would drop. Of course with the viewing figures remaing steady and the show constantly in C4's most watched shows then surely they wouldn't want to risk losing Noel.

The same could be said for Countdown. Although it's an entirely different show compared with Deal or No Deal, they are now looking to replace both presenters (one of which was booted for wanting a bigger salary). I'm pretty sure Noel will remain, especially seeing as he is currently one of the highest paid daytime television presenters in Britain. Considering that and the fact that the country is close to recession, I doubt Noel would make the same mistake that Carol Vorderman did. In regards to the ratings, Endemol have got plently of tricks up their sleeve that they will only use when the ratings drop. As soon as the show declines, they'll find a way to rejuvenate it.

Carol Vorderman didn't ask for more money. She was given a 'take it or leave it' 90% pay cut ultimatum. She declined and I don't blame her. She said if they had asked her properly she would have carried on doing the show for nothing. Whether she was worth her fat salary debatable but there are ways of treating people decently. Carol Vorderman was treated in a very shabby manner.

Upping the top amount available to be won to £500k is pointless. Nobody is remotely likely to get the £250k let alone £500k so whats the point. The Banker would still be able to offer the usual derisory amounts which would be snatched like a drowning man grabbing a twig.

The way the public have lapped up the lamentable season 3 I doubt whether Noel leaving would make much difference to the ratings. I suspect the majority of the viewers sat in front of the gogglebox in a state of torpidity would hardly notice.

That may well have been the case - I've only ever heard the Daily Mail's original slant on that story. I think it was also partly due to her having to get used to another presenter but that's besides the point. I still don't think Endemol have got anything to worry about in regards to Noel wanting a pay-rise. If he did ever leave for whatever reason that may be, I'm sure they'd find a suitable replacement. We've only ever seen the show with Noel hosting it - so who's to say that he's the best person for it? As basicasic said, I don't think it'd do too much damage to the show but whilst he's doing it relatively successfully, bringing in viewers and earning a stash of cash I can't see any reason for him not to be presenting the show this time next year.

I'm sure I replied to this topic.

Anyway I don't think Noel will be going anywhere unless he has good reason to leave (he did say he'd leave if Endemol ever did a celebrity version of DOND). The other option is if Endemol booted him out... or if the whole show had a shake up due to a scandal of some sort and they got a new presenter, but I can't see that happening.

Noel is 60 this year so he might find the filming schedule tough as he gets on a bit. But I reckon Edmonds can continue for quite a while yet.

You did reply to this. I remember reading your original post

Same

And as for Countdown- well, it may be an institution to students, pensioners and the unemployed but I think it's time to shut the door on that one for good. It has gotten progressively worse ever since Richard's death and with both Des O'Connor and Carol leaving now, I don't think it should come back- old people like familiarity and if they see 2 new hosts, they'll likely switch off. That, or give it a break for 2 or 3 years and make them go cold turkey so, when it does come back, they'll be frothing at the mouth and eating the furniture in anticipation of its return that they won't care who hosts it.

Exactly.