Swedish Eurovision fever cools
Published: 12 Mar 10 10:59 CET | Print version
Updated: 12 Mar 10 15:03 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25486/20100312/
Is Sweden falling out of love with Eurovision? On the verge of this year's national final, new statistics show that while the event still tops the ratings, viewing figures and public voting are in decline, according to a report in Dagens Nyheter (DN).
- Eurovision: The final word from Malmö (20 May 13)
- Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö (19 May 13)
- Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final (18 May 13)
The televised event is a phenomenon without comparison in Sweden, with nigh on half the nation tuning in for the annual festival.
But media attention on the event has declined by 40 percent this year in comparison with 2008, according to figures from media analysis firm Infopaq cited by the newspaper.
"Melodifestivalen has been the biggest for many years and still is. But the figures show that the phenomenon is losing force," Andreas Leifsson at Infopaq told the newspaper.
Infopaq has counted the number of articles in the Swedish media between February 1st to March 8th and compared them to the corresponding period of 2008.
Viewing figures have also declined by 10 percent over the the six week period of the regional heats, including last weekend's "second chance" semi-final. The spectacle attracted a combined total of 13.9 million viewers in comparison to 15.3 million in 2009, according to Sveriges Television (SVT) figures.
But Thomas Hall, who is responsible for the competition at SVT, explained the drop on this year's Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Despite the apparent decline in interest, Melodifestivalen is set to be topped only by the summer royal wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and the Christmas Donald Duck special, as millions are set to tune in for Saturday's final in Stockholm's Globe Arena to select Sweden's Eurovision representative.
Sweden's choice for the Eurovision Song Contest, to be held this year in Oslo, has been narrowed down to eight acts - follow the link below to see what all the fuss is about.
External link: The finalists in the 2010 Melodifestivalen »
Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se
+46 8 656 6513
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Stop being hypnotized!
ha ha
I am glad that the numbers are droping, they drag it out too much with 'second chance' and the 6 shows before, then they have 2 rehershals for the final and then the final. And THEN the real final. Such a waste of time and people are begining to see this.
I dont like eurovision, but did in the 70,s..........here people take joy in simpler things........eurovision, Bugg, Dansband, Midsommar parties......dont knock it.....we were also once this way. It,s a pity that a changing uncertain world will eventually overwhelm Sweden too.
but I fear it's just facebook, online dating and posting comments on the The Local ;o))
your country has its own nausiating innocent obsession with x factor.
At least at MF they sing original songs.
Melodifestivalen is a wonderful Swedish tradition. It's embraced in a uniquely Swedish way. It is part of their culture that should be cherised, not ripped to shreds by thelocal.se.
I hated the winner this year but love the whole contest. About 10 of us got together yesterday afternoon at a pub in Sydney, put up some Swedish flags and watched the final on their big screen television.
A wonderful experience.
I would have loved to have joined you. Melodifestivalen is iconic Swedish culture, love it or hate it. I have tried to watch it on-line since we moved back to Australia, but the quality is really not good enough to be worth it. Perhaps we can do something similar in Brisbane.