He began his "Weekly Top 40" countdown program, still currently in syndication, on the weekend of October 8–9, 1983 on 18 stations; the show was created after Dees's station KIIS dropped "American Top 40" in a dispute over the playing of network commercials. The "Weekly Top 40" has been heard each weekend in over 200 countries worldwide and the Armed Forces Radio Network. It is distributed domestically by Compass Media Networks and internationally by Dees Entertainment International (through Radio Express). In December 2008, the "Weekly Top 40" became the first English-speaking radio show to air in China. The syndicated Countdown is available in several different editions including "Hit Radio" (for contemporary hit radio stations), "Hot Adult" (hot adult contemporary radio stations), 80s Edition and 90s Edition on terrestrial radio stations around the world.