Due the popularity of the program, one of its hosts, Adam Curry, became a celebrity.

Other hosts included Simone Walraven, Jasper Faber, Erik de Zwart and Wessel van Diepen.

A special English-language edition of Countdown was produced for pan-European music channel Music Box in 1987, with presenters Adam Curry and Erik de Zwart.

The programme may have been inspired by the Australian music show CountDown, which aired from 8 November 1974 until 19 July 1987.

It was The Australian CountDown which Swedish band ABBA credit in large part for their success.