Sweden’s national broadcaster, SVT, announced this morning some changes to make the 2015 Melodifestivalen competition bigger and better!
SVT decided for 2015 to reduce the number of songs in the heat from 8 to 7 and now in the Final there will be 12 songs instead of 10 like before – making it the largest Melodifestivalen Final since 1997.
Previously 32 songs were selected to compete in the live shows, however these new changes have reduced that number to 28. Melodifestivalen’s Executive Producer, Christer Björkman, says they are looking for quality over quantity this year. This rule change does however mean that 43% of the songs competing at Melodifestivalen will reach the final, compared with 31% under the previous regime.
SVT received 2177 submissions hoping to reach the Melodifestivalen stage.
There is a way to create more air in the program, a way to open up to create more live feeling and to give each song and artist more space -Christer Björkman
In the 5th week of the competition, Andra Chansen, will now see 4 rather than 2 artists qualifying for the Final. There will be 4 duels in which the winners from each will progress. There is a limit of 20 votes per song, meaning viewers can vote up to 20 times per song but can vote for as many songs as they please in each program.
Recap of Mel 2015 modifications:
- Heats: 7 Songs per Semi
- Andra Chansen: 4 Duels, winner of each will go to the Final
- Final: 12 songs in the Final
- Voting: Limit 20 times per Song, can vote for as many Songs as you want per Show
What do you think of these new changes?
Will you be watching next year’s Melodifestivalen? 🙂
