Big Five and Host Country more prominently in the Semi-Finals

[Krishoes]

Good or bad news?

Last week, the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group gathered in Berlin to discuss the short-term and long-term future of the contest. Today, we can already reveal one of the decisions taken during the meeting: the so-called Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) as well as the host country, Sweden, will appear more prominently in the Semi-Finals of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. The six countries will remain to be pre-qualified for the Grand Final.

The 'Big Five' and the host country will appear in the Semi-Final in which they will vote. This will be determined during the Semi-Final Allocation Draw in late January. For scheduling reasons, Germany was already granted the right to vote and appear in the second Semi-Final.

Another benefit of this change is the increased amount of rehearsal time for the Big Five and the host country. Due to their pre-qualification for the Grand Final, these six countries normally had less stage time than the Semi-Final participants.

As a consequence of this change, the 'Big Five' and the host country representative will have to be present in the host city to rehearse one or two days earlier than before, increasing its promotional opportunities. "From here on, its in the hands of these six countries to pick great entries for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest," Sand concludes.

 

[Schlagerman1]

What means with "appear" in the semi? Will they sing their songs or will they just have longer interviews with them in the semis or so?
Guess they don't know it themselves, so have to wait and see how and what they will do with it before judging this.

 

[Krishoes]

What means with "appear" in the semi? Will they sing their songs or will they just have longer interviews with them in the semis or so?
Guess they don't know it themselves, so have to wait and see how and what they will do with it before judging this.

I had the same question. Reading what Eurovision.tv wrote, it seemed they will perform on the stage, but SVT wrote an article about that and talks about sneak previews from the rehearsals. So I'm asking myself what is so revolutionary in this XD It is a little change from the official videos to the rehearsal videos... :?

 

[Ringdalen]

Its a good thing that they get more time to make the final performance as good as possible.

But i am personally not sure if i would be interested in seeing them preform or have long interviews during the semis.

 

[Brandt]

Pre qualifiers performing in their semi which they vote was an idea in my mind for years. Finally it comes true. I so like that idea.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Great news - never thought they'd do this! Justice 4 the Big 5!

 

[Sean]

It's just videos. Another random change by SVT

 

[GWTW1939]

I like the idea of giving the big 5 and host country more visibility during the semis because they are at a disadvantage and it would be more fair to them but at the same time I honestly have no clue how I would do it. Having them perform would only extend the semis longer although I suppose it would be during the intervals which I would accept. I don't really care for interviews and they would probably achieve nothing since its the song/performance that they want people to see.

I suppose what they do now is okay and we simply have to accept the fact that there will be a price to pay for being an automatic qualifier even though as a huge fan of many past big 5 entries I have complained about it

 

[LalehForWD]

So, they will have their rehearsals in the semis together with the others instead having their own rehearsal days? - makes sense and is obviously more efficient. To me it will seem awkward if the big 5 get exposure during the semis and will only highlight the stupid rule. Who cares about them in middle of the semis? Abolish the rule, let all countries compete in the semis and replace the big 5 rule with semi bonus points for results the previous contest. The host country could have a bonus that would make it a sure qualify unless the song is really bad.

 

[QwaarJet]

Great news - never thought they'd do this! Justice 4 the Big 5!

The big 5 are more likely to get justice when they don't send shite most years. Look at Italy, I don't see their entries suffering from "lack of exposure".

In the end I expect it will make no difference to the results, but It will get give us more rehearsals and give them to us earlier, so I'm fine with it.

 

[tuorem]

I think ORF's idea to interview the Big 6 in place of random (often boring) interval acts in the semis was a clever move this year, at least we could see the contestants. Same here, I don't know what they mean by "increased exposure", so I'm waiting before commenting on their decision. Actually, I wouldn't mind them performing in the semis after the voting period of time ended, it would make more sense than just having a small extract of their entries.

 

[niko]

I also liked the idea of a small interview with the pre-qualified entrants in the place of random and boring interval acts (and since the contest is going to be in Sweden again, we are all sure that the whole show will be as exciting as a dead fish). Let's hope that's what they mean by "increased exposure".

But since the contest will be in Sweden, I am prepared for the worst

 

[NeonProject]

Constantly bashing Sweden seems to be the new "in" thing these days I'm guessing. :/

 

[niko]

Constantly bashing Sweden seems to be the new "in" thing these days I'm guessing. :/

Same with bashing Russia.

 

[FilipFromSweden]

This is a great change. The auto-qualification of the big 5 has always been more bad than good for them, showing bits of their performances is gonna do good.

 

[FilipFromSweden]

and since the contest is going to be in Sweden again, we are all sure that the whole show will be as exciting as a dead fish

But since the contest will be in Sweden, I am prepared for the worst

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. What didn't you like? We had one host, Petra, who is still today praised for her performance including the comedy she served. Is this about the size of the stage?

Same with bashing Russia.

Maybe because you can get beaten to fucking death if you're gay there

 

[niko]

Maybe because you can get beaten to fucking death if you're gay there

So what? That is their problem, not yours.

 

[Krishoes]

So what? That is their problem, not yours.

"Their problem"? What do you mean? :?

 

[FilipFromSweden]

So what? That is their problem, not yours.

It's an issue I care about. Don't be so narrow-minded.

What's even more interesting is the quote you got in your '' banner '' or how should I say it. That thing said about Måns. Apparently it's a problem when he says it, but when Russia beats gays to death then it's not your or mine problem?

 

[niko]

It's an issue I care about. Don't be so narrow-minded.

What's even more interesting is the quote you got in your '' banner '' or how should I say it. That thing said about Måns. Apparently it's a problem when he says it, but when Russia beats gays to death then it's not your or mine problem?

I believe that Russia has a long way to become like we all want it to be, but it's their own battle and we shouldn't pressure them nor interfere their internal struggles. My signature is showing the Swedish hypocrisy. I mean, how can you criticize Russia about homophobia when you have homophobes too?

PS : Since Swedes like to personally attack people who don't agree with their shitty opinions, I need to clarify that I don't support the homophobia in Russia, but all that bitching and moaning about it makes my eyes roll.