SVT has recently approached the city of Östersund to host one of the Melodifestivalen shows 2019, however it has been announced that the town will not be hosting a show in 2019.
They were approached by SVT
Östersund, a city located in the centre of Sweden, has recently declined a request from the Swedish national broadcaster, SVT, to host one of the shows in next year’s Melodifestivalen. The broadcaster had approached the city to host the show on 2nd March 2019.
A conflict of events
SVT asked the Municipality (the local government) to prepare information required to host a show for the 2019 edition, but the Municipality was unable to prepare this information before the deadline set by the broadcaster. That was due to preparations for the Biathlon World Championships that will be held in Östersund from 7th to 17th March 2019. Because of this, the Municipality asked SVT for more time to consider if hosting the show could still be a possibility, but the contest producers could not wait any longer. The city and municipality have however both said that they are still very interested in hosting a show in 2020.
Östersund previously hosted a Melfest show in 2015
Let us not forget that Östersund already has a little history with the Swedish selection. They hosted the third semi-final of the 2015 Melodifestivalen, the edition which produced the last Swedish win in Eurovision to date. Måns Zelmerlöw didn’t compete in the semi-final held in Östersund, but the runner-up of the Final, Jon Henrik Fjällgren did, with the song, “Jag är fri (Manne leam frijje)”.
Which will be the host cities of Melodifestivalen 2019?
No host cities have yet been confirmed for next year’s Melodifestivalen, but with a usual announcement date of September, we can expect an official announcement from SVT very soon. The Friends Arena in Stockholm have hosted the final of the competition since 2013, so we can expect the venue to host the final for a seventh time next year. Before 2013, the Ericsson Globe was the regular host venue for the final, so a return to this venue can also not be ruled out.
Last year, the semi-finals and Andra Chansen round were hosted by Karlstad, Gothenburg, Malmö, Örnsköldsvik and Kristianstad, so SVT may just decide on keeping the same host cities in 2019. Lidköping has also expressed an interest in hosting one of the rounds in next year’s Melodifestivalen, so could we see a return to Lidköping?
Would you like to see Östersund host a Melfest round in 2020? Should have SVT give the municipality more time to make a decision about hosting in 2019?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA
