The big 5 semi-finalists?

[FilipFromSweden]

No news about big 5 as semi-finalists? I remember France mentioned it sometime after finishing last that they would want to be in the semi-final but I might remember it all wrong.

Another question you can think about: what advantages would the big 5 have if it was not the automatic final spot? Would it be that they could pick their own starting position or semi-final, or that they would still represent the big 5 as usual even though they are semi-finalists? What do you think?

 

[EDC0708]

According to the 2015 rules, the usual format is still in place, with the big 5 and the host nation automatically qualifying, with the other nations taking part in the two semi finals:

"A maximum of 46 Active EBU Members shall be allowed to participate (the "Participating Broadcasters"). Active EBU Members from a maximum total of 26 countries shall compete in the Final. There shall be six guaranteed places therein (i.e. one for the producing organization (the "Host Broadcaster"), five EBU Members from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom). Subject to a decision by the EBU in consultation with the Reference Group, the number of guaranteed places in the Final may be modified depending on circumstances. Apart from the six broadcasters with guaranteed places, all Participating Broadcasters from a maximum of 40 countries shall compete in one of the Semi-Finals for the remaining places in the Final."

I don't think the EBU will change this rule in the near future, as the ratings would go down a lot if none of the big 5 reached the final.

 

[GRE]

According to the 2015 rules, the usual format is still in place, with the big 5 and the host nation automatically qualifying, with the other nations taking part in the two semi finals:

"A maximum of 46 Active EBU Members shall be allowed to participate (the "Participating Broadcasters"). Active EBU Members from a maximum total of 26 countries shall compete in the Final. There shall be six guaranteed places therein (i.e. one for the producing organization (the "Host Broadcaster"), five EBU Members from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom). Subject to a decision by the EBU in consultation with the Reference Group, the number of guaranteed places in the Final may be modified depending on circumstances. Apart from the six broadcasters with guaranteed places, all Participating Broadcasters from a maximum of 40 countries shall compete in one of the Semi-Finals for the remaining places in the Final."

I don't think the EBU will change this rule in the near future, as the ratings would go down a lot if none of the big 5 reached the final.

46 countries..!
That will never happen !

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

I dont wish for us to be part of the semi finals but I hope that we will be given the chance for either 1) a whole clip of our song be played or 2) we be given the chance to perform as the interval act.

 

[greece]

Well imo I think it would have been possitive if they perform in semis as participants or not, cause people would hear the song. However I think that Big 5 countries could qualify from the semis, or at least the most of them.

 

[FilipFromSweden]

I think if they would participate in semi-finals they would try harder and get the advantage all the other semi-finalists get by performing their song to the viewers twice.
Not qualifying is not the worst thing in the world, always ending up in the bottom is

 

[Leydan]

France didn't want to participate in the semi final, but they wanted the entire song to be shown in the semi final because they felt the Big 5 didn't get the exposure the other songs did.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

As the BBC have said in the past, it would be unthinkable for them to transmit Eurovision in its primetime Saturday BBC One slot if the United Kingdom wasnt participating.

 

[malta]

france wanted their whole song to be played in the semi finals not for them to be in the semi finals

 

[SuperGirl]

If the so called big 5 want their entries to be shown as whole in semifinals then they should participate in the semifinals too. I think it's unfair for the other countries if they get the opportunity to perform in the final too.

IMO, they should remove the big 5 rule and let these 5 countries to participate in semifinals too.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

If the so called big 5 want their entries to be shown as whole in semifinals then they should participate in the semifinals too. I think it's unfair for the other countries if they get the opportunity to perform in the final too.

IMO, they should remove the big 5 rule and let these 5 countries to participate in semifinals too.

Wouldn't it be more unfair that we have to participate on the same footing as everybody else but have to pay a lot more for the privilege? We're only put straight into the finals its not like we get automatic points or something...

 

[SuperGirl]

Wouldn't it be more unfair that we have to participate on the same footing as everybody else but have to pay a lot more for the privilege? We're only put straight into the finals its not like we get automatic points or something...

You are only put straight to into finals??? Say that to the countries that have very hard times to qualify to finals when big 5 countries as France and UK almost every year finish in the bottom of the final.

But now you want the previlegium to show your entries in the semfinals too. How much favour should big 5 have?

 

[QwaarJet]

The big 5 are taking places that countries in the semi-finals could get. It's supposed to be a competition, you shouldn't have to pay your way into the final. And unfortunately, that seems to be the only way most of the big 5 would actually get to the big Saturday show.

If the song is good enough, taking part in the semi-finals would be an advantage, giving it exposure before the final.

It's not something that keeps me awake at night, but it does irk me a bit that money talks in a contest. Everyone should be on level footing, regardless of financial contribution.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

You are only put straight to into finals??? Say that to the countries that have very hard times to qualify to finals when big 5 countries as France and UK almost every year finish in the bottom of the final.

But now you want the previlegium to show your entries in the semfinals too. How much favour should big 5 have?

Oh terribly sorry for wanting something in return for financing the whole thing!

 

[WhoKnows]

I dont wish for us to be part of the semi finals but I hope that we will be given the chance for either 1) a whole clip of our song be played or 2) we be given the chance to perform as the interval act.

Aka, I want my cake and eat it too.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Aka, I want my cake and eat it too.

What's the point in having cake if you're not gunna eat it?

 

[penguinperson]

The big 5 are taking places that countries in the semi-finals could get. It's supposed to be a competition, you shouldn't have to pay your way into the final. And unfortunately, that seems to be the only way most of the big 5 would actually get to the big Saturday show.

If the song is good enough, taking part in the semi-finals would be an advantage, giving it exposure before the final.

It's not something that keeps me awake at night, but it does irk me a bit that money talks in a contest. Everyone should be on level footing, regardless of financial contribution.

That's because the EBU regard it as a TV show (that has a need to protect viewership) with a contest element as opposed to a contest which happens to be broadcast on TV.

 

[Leydan]

You are only put straight to into finals??? Say that to the countries that have very hard times to qualify to finals when big 5 countries as France and UK almost every year finish in the bottom of the final.

But now you want the previlegium to show your entries in the semfinals too. How much favour should big 5 have?

The big 5 are taking places that countries in the semi-finals could get. It's supposed to be a competition, you shouldn't have to pay your way into the final. And unfortunately, that seems to be the only way most of the big 5 would actually get to the big Saturday show.

If the song is good enough, taking part in the semi-finals would be an advantage, giving it exposure before the final.

It's not something that keeps me awake at night, but it does irk me a bit that money talks in a contest. Everyone should be on level footing, regardless of financial contribution.

Well look at it this way, with them competing in the semi finals, it will force them to have to take the competition seriously. While that is great news for us fans from a big 5 country it means that it will be a lot harder for countries who struggle enough as it is to qualify as it is to qualify, to add the big 5 with the mix. I am looking at the likes Slovenia, Bulgaria, San Marino, Switzerland, Poland & Montenegro as examples of countries who struggle enough as it. Is it really in their interest to give them more competition especially from countries who could potentially put a MASSIVE fight on for the final.

Anyway a discussion like this is pointless because as it's been pointed out, the EBU view it as a television show which needs the viewers than an actual song competition, and that view will never change. Considering how much money they put into the contest and the EBU if they were forced to compete in the semi's they would probably end up withdrawing in protest, and then there will be no contest. If all 5 happen to fail to qualify one year then they will straight away lose almost half of their viewers, because they come from these countries. In the UK (and I'm sure its the same for other big 5 countries that don't take it seriously like France and Spain) people only watch it because they are consistently present in the final take that away and people wont watch.

 

[SuperGirl]

If this is about viewers then why isn't Russia in this group? Or Turkey?

Still countries will withdraw if they don't think is it fair. Directly finalists is enough for so called big 5. They shouldn't be able to show the whole songs in the semis. Why should they if they aren't competing in the semi finals? I actually don't think their songs should be played at all in semfinals.

If the big 5 are in semi too then it will be more places in the final to compete for. UK and France results the latest years speak for some other countries easily could take their places in the final.

 

[penguinperson]

If this is about viewers then why isn't Russia in this group? Or Turkey?

Still countries will withdraw if they don't think is it fair. Directly finalists is enough for so called big 5. They shouldn't be able to show the whole songs in the semis. Why should they if they aren't competing in the semi finals? I actually don't think their songs should be played at all in semfinals.

Russia's ratings aren't that great 06-09 they were strong but before and after that period less so. Turkey and Russia are also in a part of Europe where the sponsors and advertisers are not as interested in. It all comes back to the monetary value the Big 5 bring to the table which is weighted more (by advertisers rightly or wrongly) than just their payment fees to Eurovision and all EBU projects.

To go back to the thread the semis on average get a third of the audience the finals get. Germany won in 2010. Finalists will do well if they are good enough same with all the other entries.