Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules
February 19, 2016
Eurovision officials said the current voting system ruined the surprise for viewers, as it often becomes apparent who has won long before the end of the marathon finale show, which usually lasts over three hours.
Up till now, each country has presented a single set of votes, meaning that it was possible for one or two acts to quickly build an unassailable lead, leading to a premature climax for the kitsch music spectacle.
"In previous years the winner has been known for up to 20 minutes before the end of voting, and that's not good TV," Martin Osterdahl, the executive producer of the 2016 show in Stockholm, said in a statement late Thursday.
From now on, the presentation of scores will be split between national juries and viewer votes under a system that organizers hope will add more suspense to the big night.
Keeping viewers on the edge of their seats
In a new twist, the highest score of 12 - the competition's famous "douze points" - won't be handed out by the juries until the lower points (one to eight and 10) from all countries have been revealed.
"This format change will inject a new level of excitement into the finish," Osterdahl said.
Votes from all countries will be combined and announced together after the jury scores, meaning an entry could be awarded hundreds of additional points to claim victory in the show's final moments.
Eurovision voting has long been dogged by controversy, with countries accused of awarding the maximum 12 points to neighbors and allies rather than according to the acts' musical merits.
This year's contest will be held in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, after Mans Zemerlow won the country its sixth crown last year.
mm/cmk (AFP, AP)