Swedish broadcaster SVT has decided to change the rules of Melodifestivalen and will not use the expert jury anymore in the remaining semifinals of Melodifestivalen. SVT received a lot of criticism about the complicity of the system and in the first two semifinals the jury had the same opinion as the televoters anyway.
The use of a jury was intended as a way to make sure that songs that didn't get the immediate attention of the TV-viewers and televoters would still have a chance to qualify for the final or the second chance round and was a way to get a variety of songs in the final of Melodifestivalen 2005 and not only the ones receiving the popular vote.
According to SVT, many people complained about the system since it was too complicated. SVT has now decided to change the rules and the jury will therefore not be used in the two remaining semifinals, nor in the second chance round. The jury vote will however remain in the final of Melodifestivalen 2005.
The third Swedish semifinal takes place on 26th February in Skellefteå, the fourth and last semifinal the week after in Växjö. On 6th March there is a second chance round and the final take place on 12th March in Stockholm's Globen Arena.
