This is NOT a petition !
This is a rough draft of an idea to deal with the over-inflations of participants in the new
Eurovision Song Contest format.
MAKE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST A ONE NIGHT EVENT
This page will eventually be reformatted to be a proper proposition
WHY ?
Eurovision Song Contest is an annual TV show. For one night of the year, the entire
continent comes together for an evening of music and culture.
In the last decade the EBU was faced with difficult decisions regarding the over-inflation in
participants. I am sure they really try to do their best and satisfy as many people as they can given their
options. I am also convinced they are not fully satisfied with all their changes, but I cant blame them for being
faced with a situation they have to deal with. There is no doubt in my mind they care about the show and try to be as reasonable
as possible.
I feel that the new 2 evenings format is a bad one. Eurovision is so special and so unique,
that it should take place once a year, for one night. Splitting it over two nights makes the show less special and not
prestigeous.
However it's the numbers that really talk :
As viewing figures tell, there is obviously NO intrest in the semi-finals. I am suprised to
find out that even amongst Eurovision fans, some take no intrest in the semi-final when their country is not a participant.
The most radical example are my hardcore friends who are flying with me to Athens this year, and are not intrested in the
semi, as our country Israel is a direct qualifier to the finals. They treat the semi-show as if it was not a proper eurovision
event.
Needless to say that the general public does not care to watch the semi event. Many will not
only watch the finals only if their own country had qualified.
All that work for nothing ?
It is possible that a few of the semi-viewers will not watch the finals, as they feel they had already
seen some of the performances and that was enough for them, but this statment obviously requires further investigation by
professionals.
SO WHAT DO WE HAVE NOW ?
Something really bad ! And needless to say... UNFAIR ! ! !
There is no point that 14 of 24 songs are direct qualifiers to the finals, and 24
others have to survive an Elimnation Round. The direct qualifiers are not based on the quality of the songs,
they are based entirely on someone else's success from the previous year. Different singer, different song. Where
is the justice in that ?
Even as a happy citizen of a country which is a direct qualifier this year, I am still angered
at the unfairness of the rules.
There is more un-equality here.
In a semi final of 24 countries, only 10 (less than half) will qualify. The 11th place (which is
still a respectable top-half result) goes home and can deam his participation as a failure. Why ? Because 14 singers are reserved,
despite not having earned their slot in the final (what's called, being from the right country in the right year).
Is this justice ?
Is the equality ?
Is this fair ?
SO WHAT IS MY SOLUTION ?
Nothing new, only upgraded and imporved !
The 1996 audio pre-selection method with a few adjustments, to ensure proper, fair and
democratic judging. A rpecise explanation at this link.
The countries submit their songs 2 month in advance for wide judging spectrum. The best
20 join the host and big 4 for the Eurovison Song Contest final night in late May, with 25 participants.
I am aware that this is a rude contrast to an entire page in which i critisize the automatic
finalist method. But just like the EBU, I am realsitic and realise the event has to be funded somehow. It's a fact we're faced
with !
The comfort in the Big 4 is that their songs represent a population of millions and Eurovision
can not afford to loose these large viewing figures.
AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO DONT QUALIFY ?
Why is that question any differnet to now ? The only difference here is damage control.
Think of the unfortunate singers who didn't qualify from the semi-finals:
Too many hours of rehearsals
Heavy expensses on travel and boarding.
Very high costs for Public Relations
Very low viewer ratings in semi finals
..... and for what ? To go home with a broken heart before the finals ???
For the singers taking part and not qualifying, going home before the finals or not going
at all is the same. The majority has no interest in the contest the moment they are not-in-it. The pre-selection method
can save all this waste. AND YES - as far as the none-qualifiers are concerned, this is a waste !
Consider all the pointless effort that can be saved. The viewer rating in non-qualifying
countries is as equaliy low, regardless if they are rlegated from a semi final or a pre-selection.
EUROVISION IS STILL A SONG CONTEST
We all feel that Eurovision is a show contest as much as it is a song contest, and that's
alright, 'cause that's entertainment ! But an audio pre-selection can filter out the weak songs, and
not base qualification on stage gimmics.
TO SUM IT UP
I have a feeling that none of us, including the EBU, are satisfied with the present
format, It's been forced on everyone by the political and cultura changes in Europe..... Cest La Vie, we
have to deal with it !
Re-instate Eurovision for one night....
....and how can we do that ? adjusted pre-election method here.
