Eurovision Song Contest

[Safiya]

why were there countries voting that didnt take part in performing?

[boxtops]

Were there? Did they have qualifying rounds this year because there were so many entrants? - if so perhaps they were countries which were knocked out in earlier rounds.

[Safiya]

I think I saw Israel and another country vote that I couldn't see on the board. I'm not sure about the qualifying rounds but that could be right. Thanks boxtops

[Gromit]

They did it over two rounds. The really really bad dross were elimated the day before. There are so many countries in it these days that you would have to endure about 50 songs in one go otherwise. But the countries that didn't make it to the final final still had a vote

[Safiya]

ah thank you Gromit, so only the really bad dross made it through :) I've never watched it before so wasn't sure how it worked. Don't think I will be watching it again either, it was complete rubbish

[ABerrant]

43 countries entered the competition.

The "Big Five" countries (UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy) automatically qualify for the final, while the remaining 38 were subject to a round in one of the two semi-finals (10th & 12th May) to whittle their number down to 20, i.e. the top 10 of each semi-final..

The 25 finalists were voted on by all 43 of the participating countries.

[Safiya]

thanks ABerrant, that explains it. Bit unfair that some countries automatically qualify though.

[ABerrant]

Automatic entry to the finals is accorded to the countries who contribute financially the bulk of Eurovision funds.

If the "Big Five" were forced to compete in the lower rounds they would probably not bother entering and the Song Contest would die. Italy was added to the original "Big Four" for the 2011 competition after 14 years of non-participation.

[Safiya]

That seems even more unfair. Though the contest dying out wouldn't be a bad thing imo, I found it a load of rubbish