Following reports in the Danish press saying that Jacob Sveistrup was not the real winner of Melodi Grand Prix 2005 due to 100.000 SMS votes that had got lost, DR investigated the matter. In conclusion DR admits that there have been problems, though DR stresses on the fact that Jacob Sveistrup was the fair winner.
“On behalf of DR I can assure all doubting fans that Jacob Sveistrup is a fair winner,” says Henrik Vemb, Mobile Editor at DR. A record number of Danes have voted for their favourite in the Danish national final, held on 12th February. Never before the Danish broadcaster received so many SMS votes in a voting integrated in a TV show.
As a result, the mobile network got overloaded and DR regrets to admit that many Danes experienced problems to get their votes through. Despite these problems, a record number of SMS votes and votes cast by landlines still reached DR and clearly pointed out Jacob Sveistrup as a winner.
“Every single vote that reached us has been counted” adds Henrik Vemb. “Therefore we deny all accusations claiming that DR removed or did not count all the votes.” Together with the Danish mobile operators, DR will investigate what can be done by next year to make even more people able to vote.
