Eurovision: instructions for understanding the rules of the competition

the Eurovision Song Contest Not just a A unique musical show Where crazy or downbeat songs, ballads or rock songs follow each other: it is also a fierce competition with strict rules, which must not be broken. If the regulations sometimes change slightly from year to year, here’s what applies to this 2024 edition in Sweden, from May 7 to 11.

Who can participate?

All active members of the European Broadcasting Union and the European Broadcasting Union, the competition’s organizing body, can participate. they It is part of the European Broadcasting Area, defined by the United Nations. For this reason, countries that are not part of the European continent: this is the case of Israel, for example. Turkey, which has not participated since 2013, can request its return. However, a maximum of 44 participating countries have been set for the 2024 edition.

Although it is not a member of the European Broadcasting Union and the European Broadcasting Area, AustraliaIt is a country that loves Eurovision and has been broadcasting the competition since the 1980s. He participates again in 2024. What was supposed to remain an exceptional entry in 2015 – to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition – has become a kind of tradition.

Two semi-finals and one final

Faced with the increasing number of countries wishing to participate in the competition, the EBU decided in 2004 to hold a semi-final, and then a semi-final from 2008. Since then, the EBU has determined the final songs. Ten songs qualify at the end of the first semi-final, which is held on Tuesday, and another ten songs during the second semi-final on Thursday. The final match will be held on Saturday.

Five or six countries automatically qualified for the final

The host country, which won the previous year, automatically qualifies for the final. There are five other countries, grouped under the name “Big Five”. He was also exempted from the semi-finals. This is Germany, Spain, FranceItaly and the United Kingdom. This status was created by organizers in 1999 – when the relegation system was implemented – to guarantee a place in the final for the largest financial contributors.

Each year, six countries qualify for the final without passing through the semi-finals. There are only five when the reigning champion is also a member of the Big Five. In total, 25 or 26 countries compete each year in the Grand Final.

Three minutes, no more, songs without insults

Obviously, the songs must be original and last no more than three minutes. The language is also free, however The regulations prohibit insults or political messages. The EBU can exclude any country if it does not comply with this rule. In 2009, Georgia was disqualified due to the song title having a double meaning. “We do not want to interfere” literally translates as “we do not want to take this into account.” But it can also be understood as “We don’t want Putin.”

All titles released on or after September 1 of the previous year are eligible to compete. After that, partner TV channels will have until mid-March to officially submit a song, chosen either internally (like Slimane or Lazzara) or during a national competition (this was the case for Bilal Hassani or even Barbara Bravi).

No more than six people on stage

All services must be performed direct On the Eurovision stage, playback is prohibited, as is auto-tune. The artists are accompanied by a soundtrack, as the instruments cannot be played live. If you see a violinist or drummer doing their best on stage, make no mistake: They are faking it. During the show, there can be no more than six people on stage. Live animals are prohibited!

How is the operating order determined?

The 25 or 26 artists compete in the final stage and take turns on stage for more than two hours. But who decides the order of passage? Each actor will have to take a ballot that says “First Half,” “Second Half,” or “Producers’ Choice.” The six artists who fall into the “first half” will perform between 1st and 13th, and the other six who fall in the “second half” will sing between 14th and 26th. The 13 countries that draw “Producers’ Choice” will be allocated one of the two halves, at the discretion of the show’s producers.

These same producers will be the ones who will tailor the songs to each venue by best distributing the more up-tempo tracks and the quieter ballads. The goal is to get Heterogeneous order of passage So that the viewer does not get bored.

Who votes?

Only viewers from participating countries vote as well as viewers from the “Rest of the World” (yes the whole world can vote. For example, if Belgium competes in the first semi-final, they can only vote in that round). 5 countries and the host vote during the first or second semi-final: the allocation changes each year.

The results were split: 50% from national juries, 50% from viewers. The jury consists of music specialists. They choose their 10 favorite songs and award the following points to each of them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and the famous 12 points.

Eurovision 2023 jury results

All viewers from all participating countries – even those eliminated in the semi-finals – will have their say on the final night. This year, the phone lines will be open before the first song. Voting for spectators from the “rest of the world” will begin online 24 hours before the final Take into account the time difference.

Public vote – results of the Eurovision 2023 telecast

Finally, do we have to remember this? You can’t vote for your country! You can try, but your voice will be forgotten. Since 2016, the show’s presenters have announced the results in two parts: first the judges’ results and then the audience’s results. A good way to keep the suspense going until the end!