In future, only the spectators will decide in the semi-finals. The winner is then once more decided by the points of a jury and the audience in combination.
At the next Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Liverpool, the audience should have more influence. Like the organizing one European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Tuesday that in the semi-finals only the spectators will decide which countries advance to the final. There, however, it remains the case that the points are awarded by a combination of audience and professional jury.
Also new is that ESC fans outside of the Eurovision area can vote for their favorites, as the EBU further announced. “Their votes will be added up and converted into points, which will have the same weight as a participating country in both the semifinals and grand finals,” it said. In these cases, votes are cast online via a secure platform, with a credit card from the place of residence serving as proof.
Great Britain is the host country
A total of 37 countries take part in the ESC. In the semi-finals on May 9th and 11th, 2023, 31 participants compete for 20 places for the final on May 13th. The five big countries – and donors – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Great Britain are traditionally set for this, as is last year’s winner, Ukraine. (“Stefania” by Kalush Orchestra won the race.)
Britain, as the runner-up from 2022, is stepping in as the host country as the event cannot take place in Ukraine, which has been hit by the Russian war of aggression, for security reasons. The competition will be held in Liverpool. The Brits have often stepped in as organizers.
(APA/dpa)
