M Countdown airs live on domestic television at 6PM KST every Thursday.[2] Live streaming is available internationally via the M Countdown On Air page on Mwave's website.
In the Philippines, online multi-view live broadcast of the show is available via gigafest.smart.[3] It began airing on the free-to-airTV5 network from January 31, 2021, however due to low ratings on the network, it was concluded on March 6, 2022. Full episodes with English subtitles are shown every Sunday night, along with another K-Chart show Music Bank on GMA Hallypop. Meanwhile, some episodes of M Countdown like Hot Debut and Comeback Stages are already available on YouTube Philippines since January 2022.[4]
Segments
Current segments on the show include MCD Dance Challenge, MCD Vocal Challenge, Storage M, and M Studio. Discontinued segments formerly aired include: B'SHOP (songwriter Bang Si-hyuk introduced a selection of hit songs), MCD Drama (show-hosts acted out various scenarios), MCD News (reported music industry news), and MCD Ranking (ranked celebrities based on certain topics).
In February 2010, Mnet announced a new group of eight emcees, comprising select members from 2PM, 2AM, CNBLUE, and MBLAQ. Nicknamed "MCD GUYZ", they hosted the show in subgroups of three or four at a time. This marked the first time M Countdown deviated from its tradition of having 1–2 fixed presenters.[8]
Following Key's departure as host on April 13, 2017, M Countdown announced the implementation of a "special MC system" of guest presenters since a permanent replacement had not yet been decided.[18] The first "new" hosts selected were girl group singers Hani from EXID, and Kyulkyung and Nayoung from Pristin—they appeared on the April 20 broadcast.[30]
Between April 2018 and March 2019, the show was hosted by a "Global MC Crew" of idols who spoke various foreign languages.[31]
M Countdown chart
Chart rankings are calculated by combining the following for a total of 12,000 points:[32]
Songs can win a maximum of three times before being removed from the chart.[32]
Girls' Generation was the only act to achieve the perfect score of 10,000 points under the fourth and fifth scoring systems. Since then, only Exo, BTS, Shinee, Twice, and NU'EST have achieved the perfect score of 11,000 points.
Winners
While previous revisions of this article included winners from 2004 to 2007, that information was not supported by any secondary sources since its initial addition in 2011. A lack of media coverage of the show on Naver for those particular years makes sourcing the information difficult. As such, those sections have been removed from the page and only winners from 2008 to present are cited.
The term triple crown refers to when a song achieves three wins on the show.[32] After that, it becomes ineligible for first place and is removed from the chart.[32] The following is a list of all songs that have achieved a triple crown on M Countdown from 2008 to present.
Top 10 Highest Scores (7th–8th System) March 10, 2011 – August 23, 2012
Scoring 7th System: Digital Single Sales (40%), Album Sales (10%), Asia/Global Fan Vote (15%), Preferences of Music Experts (10%), Real-Time Charts (15%), SMS Vote (10%)
Scoring 8th System: Digital Single Sales (45%), Album Sales (10%), Global Fan Vote (15%), Mnet Broadcasting (5%), Preferences of Music Experts (10%), Real-Time Charts (5%), SMS Vote (10%)
Top 10 Highest Scores (11th–12th System) February 27, 2014 – June 4, 2015[33]
Scoring System: Digital Single Sales (50%), Album Sales (10%), Social Media Points (10%: YouTube official music video views + SNS buzz), Preference Points (10%: global fan votes + age range preference), Mnet Broadcast Points (10%), SMS Votes (10%)[33]
Top 10 Highest Scores (13th–15th System) June 11, 2015 – April 12, 2018
Scoring System: Digital Music Sales (50%), Album Sales (15%), Social Media Score (15%: YouTube official music video views + SNS buzz), Popularity Score (10%: global fan votes + age range preference), Mnet Broadcast Score (10%) + SMS Voting Score (10%)
Top 10 Highest Scores (16th–18th System) April 26, 2018 – May 21, 2020
Scoring System: Digital Music Sales (45%), Album Sales (15%), Social Media Score (20%: YouTube official music video views + SNS buzz), Global Fan Votes (10%), Mnet Broadcast Score (10%), SMS Live Vote (10%)
^The exact start date for Leeteuk, Shindong, and Kangin is not mentioned by any source, only the month. Neither is the last date for Kangin mentioned, only the month he left.[5][6]
^Park, Se-yeon (April 3, 2019). 이대휘-한현민 '엠카운트다운' 고정 MC 발탁 [Lee Dae-hwi and Han Hyun-min selected as fixed MCs for 'M Countdown']. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
^Kim, Ji-yeon (March 25, 2008). 슈주, 2년 4개월만에 '엠카운트다운' MC 하차 [Suju leaves "M Countdown" as MCs after 2 years and 4 months.]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abKim, Ji-yeon (September 2, 2007). 'MC발탁' 은혁 "매주 공짜로 공연보는 기분" ["MC selected" Eunhyuk "It's like watching a free concert every week"]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
^Kim, Jiyeon (March 25, 2008). '슈주' 이특 신동 은혁, '엠카운트다운' MC 하차 ["Suju" Leeteuk, Shindong, Eunhyuk leaving as MC's of "M! Countdown"]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
^ abMoon, Wan-sik (February 16, 2010). 조권·닉쿤·준호 등 8명, '엠카' MC 전격 발탁 [Jo Kwon, Nichkhun, Junho, etc. 8 MCs selected for "M Countdown".]. Money Today Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021 – via Naver.
^Choi, Bo-ran (March 4, 2011). 토니안, '엠카운트다운' 새MC…신소율과 호흡 [Tony Ahn, the new MC for "M Countdown"...Shin Soyul and Breathing.]. Money Today Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ko, Kyung-min (August 23, 2012). 토니안, 1년 반만에 '엠카' MC 하차 '눈물 그렁' [Tony Ahn leaves "M Countdown" as MC after a year and a half "Tears in my eyes"]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ji-hyun (August 27, 2012). 이홍기 MC 발탁, '엠카'서 탁월한 말솜씨+표현력 '기대' [Lee Hong Gi selected as MC. "Expectation" for excellent speech skills and expression on "M Countdown"]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ko, Kyung-min (December 14, 2012). 이홍기, '엠카' 최종하차 "해외 스케줄 빠듯" [Lee Hong Gi finally leaves M Countdown "Busy overseas schedule"]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Kyung-joo (August 12, 2013). 김우빈, '엠카' MC 발탁.."깔끔한 진행실력" [Kim Woobin, selected as MC for "M Countdown"..."Clean MC skills".]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Bae, Seon-young (February 13, 2014). 김우빈, 오늘(13일) '엠카' 하차… 아시아 팬미팅 투어 떠난다 [Kim Woo-bin left "M Countdown" today (13th)... Going on Asian fan meeting tour]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Bae, Seon-young (February 24, 2014). 정준영·안재현 '엠카운트다운' MC 발탁 "새로운 매력 기대" [Jung Joonyoung and Ahn Jaehyun were selected as MCs for "M Countdown". "Look forward to new charms".]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kwon, Soo-bin (November 20, 2014). '엠카' 하차 정준영 안재현, 마지막 이벤트에 당황 "방송사고인줄" [Jung Joonyoung and Ahn Jae Hyun leave "M Countdown". Surprised by the last event. "Thought it was a broadcast accident".]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Min-jung (March 19, 2015). 키-이정신, '엠카' 新MC 발탁..오늘(19일) 특별무대 꾸민다 [Key-Lee Jung-Shin, selected as the new MCs for "M Countdown"...We're going to have a special performance today (19th).]. Edaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abLee, Ah-young (April 11, 2017). Mnet "샤이니 키, 13일 끝으로 '엠카' 하차…후임 미정" [Mnet "SHINee's Key left 'M Countdown' on the 13th... Replacement undecided."]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (February 4, 2021). '엠카' 측 "이대휘X한현민 하차, 아이들 미연X남윤수 새 MC 확정"(공식) ['M Countdown' Lee Dae-hwi X Han Hyun-min leave, (G)I-dle Miyeon X Nam Yoon-su will be the new MCs" (Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^Son, Bong-seok (February 19, 2021). '엠카' 김우석 "1등까지 해서 너무 감사하다" ["M Countdown" Kim Woo-seok "Grateful for winning first place"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (February 4, 2023). 남윤수, '엠카' 하차 소감 "웃으며 떠나겠다, 미연에 고마워" [TV나우] [Nam Yoon-su, how do you feel about getting off 'M Countdown' "I'll leave with a smile, thank you Miyeon." [TV Now]]. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
^Jung, Ji-won (February 2, 2023). '엠카운트다운' NCT127·비비지 컴백, (여자)아이들 우기 스페셜 MC [(G)I-dle's Yuqi special MC for 'M Countdown', NCT127·BBG comeback]. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
^Lee, Seul (February 9, 2023). [단독] 투바투 휴닝카이, '엠카' 1위 이어 스페셜 MC 출격 [[Exclusive] Tomorrow X Together's HueningKai, special MC after winning no.1 on "M Countdown".]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
^Lee, Seul-bi (February 15, 2023). 몬스타엑스 주헌, '엠카' MC 발탁 "최선을 다하며 즐길 것" [Monsta X's Jooheon selected as 'M Countdown' MC "I will do my best and enjoy it"]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park, Gwi-im (April 20, 2017). [단독] 하니X결경X나영, 오늘(20일) '엠카' 스페셜MC [[Exclusive] Hani X Kyulkyung X Nayoung. Today (20th) Special MC for "M Countdown".]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ko, Seung-ah (April 25, 2018). Mnet "차트 개편→글로벌 케이팝 중심 '엠카'+'오늘의 노래' 신설"(공식) [Mnet's "Chart Reorganization → Global K-pop-oriented 'M Countdown' + 'Today's Recommended Song'" (Official)]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abcd"Voting". mwave.me. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021. (Note: Scroll down to the section marked "Voting" and click/tap the down arrow to the right side of the screen to view chart breakdown and eligibility criteria.)
^ abLee, Seung-rok (February 20, 2021). '엠카', 순위선정 방식 변경 '소셜미디어 점수 도입'…10주년 맞아 개편 ["M Countdown", changes the ranking method, "Introducing social media scores"...Reorganization for 10th anniversary.]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.