Viisupodi: The Eurovision reform caused a mixed reaction: “Sounds terribly awkward” – 2024-04-23 09:18:11

Eurovision will be held in Malmö, Sweden this year. AOP

This spring’s Eurovision will see a significant reform, which will give the producer of the contest more power regarding the order of performances.

Previously, countries were drawn to see if they would appear in the first or second half of the final. This spring, there will be a third option for the lottery: producer selection.

There are six places up for grabs for both the first and second half. The producers get to choose where the 13 other finalists will perform, i.e. the country can be placed at the beginning or end of the final. The only exception is the host country Sweden, whose venue has already been drawn in advance.

In Iltalehti’s Viisupodi, the reform has been received in mixed moods.

– I think this is another unnecessary reform, Iltalehti editor Lake Ismo Puljujärvi states in the episode.

The Eurovision organizers justify the reform by the fact that it makes it possible to make a better TV show.

– You can justify anything like that, producer Riikka Nyman inches.

– I don’t think that the reform has any significance for the outcome of the competition, journalist Mari Pudas continue.

– That (reform) lacks clarity. Sounds awfully awkward. Good luck trying to write this sensibly into the story in a simple way, he reflects.

Viisupodi is Iltalehti’s Eurovision-themed podcast.