Help save Letters and Numbers

On the 23rd September 2012 I posted a letter to Mr. Michael Ebeid the Managing Director of SBS Corp, Locked Bag 028, Crows Nest, NSW 1585. I enclosed a stamped addressed envelope for his reply.
Up to today, 19th October, I have NOT received any reply. Perhaps I asked too many questions for Mr. Ebeid, fourteen, some about various costs to make the show including presenters and contestants fees, studio costs etc.
Perhaps he would like to give any reply to us on this website about why the programme was laid to rest and if it will return to SBS and some details about how much it cost to make each episode and what does it cost to show the Countdown programme. Also what are the current viewing figures for Countdown compared to the last shown show of Letters and Numbers.
Oh I notice on SBS programming list that Lily Serna's cooking programme has now finished so perhaps she now has the time to return to Letters and Numbers.

What a shame this show was taken away and the skills of the hosts and contestants has fallen into an abyss. My wife and I loved to play along, especially the conundrum. We also enjoyed the friendly and innocent banter between the hosts. They have great chemistry. With horrible shows like "Big Brother" and "21/2 Men" leading youth astray, L&N was a refreshing, educational and entertaining offering on SBS. Not everyone wants to watch news from 4:30pm to 6:30pm either so the timeslot was perfect to offer a decent alternative to tabloid media.

It is a great pity that Letters & Numbers was axed and replaced by Countdown. For an Australian audience, Letters & Numbers was far more relevant, the presenters were more human, and there was a general good feeling about the show in comparison to the British version, which is stiff, dull and totally lacking in warmth. Whereas I always looked forward to seeing the episodes of Letters & Numbers, I am quite indifferent to the British version. Also, the ratio of number games to letter games in the British version is smaller than it was in the Australian version - what is it they don't like about number games? Please consider bringing back Letters and Numbers, which was one of SBS's best shows.

This show does more than entertain, it's a service to the community. I reckon health experts would say it's the sort of show that helps older people from developing diseases like Alzheimer's. So what does SBS do. Send Lily to do a cooking show, as if we haven't got enough of them. Very bad decision.

It was the show we always came together to watch and contest at home. My poor arithmetic improved to the point that I was often scoring more than the winner. We really miss that focus in our evenings. We watched a couple of "countdowns" but the utter charmlessness of their host compared with Richard and the dry and boring experts failed to keep us watching. Shame on you S.B.S., what a stupid decision.

What was SBS thinking, cancelling Letters and Numbers? It was one of the best things on TV. I know we have the English 'Countdown' to replace it - but what an inferior show that is. The presenters are boring (except for Rachel) and lack-lustre, stilted, no personality. Our own Letters and Numbers presenters are delightful people, full of humour and personality. If SBS can't see its value, let the ABC have it.

I wrote to the Managing Director of SBS, Mr Ebeid, including an SAE. The response came back in less than a week, but unfortunately was from somebody from Audience Relations!

"Thank you for your letter regarding Letters and Number [sic]. We have passed on your disappointment to the programming department for their interest and information. Also, the information you have sent has gone to the appropriate people. We will keep your letter on file for future reference."

I guess it's worth trying, but I am starting to lose heart!

its a competely worthwhile show...important for education.

Please add my support for the the reinstatement of Letters and Numbers. Have tried to support Countdown but find that their presenter and dictionary expert need a blooming good shake especially the dictionary expert!!

Following on from advice here, I have written a letter to the General Manager of SBS, enclosing a SAE. It will be interesting to see if he replies, and what he says!