Denmark returned to the top 10 s with the Viking-inspired performance by Rasmussen. The Danish broadcaster is now in the process of planning their participation 2019, hoping to continue achieving good results.
Last October, DR hinted that Denmark was on its way to achieve good results again after a few years of disappointing results. It turned out to be true and Rasmussen reached a respectable 9th place with his entry Higher Ground, giving Denmark its first top 10 since 2014, when the contest was held on home soil.
Successful changes to national selection
As we reported last year, DR had introduced some changes for the 2018 edition of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. Specifically, with the appointment of Mads Engaard as Contribution Producer, DR hoped to focus more on the whole performance instead of just the music and lyrics. Jan Lagermand Lundme, DR ‘s Entertainment Manager believes these changes were key in giving Denmark good results again. He also credits Enggard’s role full trust in the selection as a factor contributing to success.
Lundme added that they will use this experience to plan for their 2019 participation. It seems that they will aim to send a “clear concept and really good song” again.
Highest viewing figures in years
Besides returning to the top 10, Denmark also had the highest viewing figures since it hosted in 2014. In fact, Eurovision was the most watched show of the night, with over 1.1 million TV viewers. Gallup also reported that 439,000 people watched the first semi-final and 735,000 the second semi-final, where Denmark competed.
Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest
Denmark first appeared in the contest in the second edition in 1957 and participated a total of 46 times. It won the contest three times: in 1963 with Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann, in 2000 with the Olsen Brothers and 2013 with Emmelie de Forest. Since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, it failed to reach the final on four occasions. In Lisbon, they were represented by Rasmussen’s Higher Ground, who reached 9th place in the grand final with 229 points.
The Rasmussen performance was amazing and should won. Israel should not be a part of it. I think you should write a song for Mass Engelhardt or Gustav Breaker to perform next year!!!