Lower than expected viewing figures for the first Melodi Grand Prix semi final in Denmark have been registered by TNS Gallup, the company responsible for measuring television audiences in Denmark. The competition, which once again selects Denmark's Eurovision Song Contest entry in 2008 received less than a million viewers.
DR moved the semi-finals from Friday evening to Saturday evening because they wanted to get more viewers for the semi-finals than last year. They believed the show would attract more viewers on a Saturday night prime time slot that on a Friday night.
Only 990.000 Danes watched the first semi-final this year.The figure represents a fall of 70.000 compared to last year. The total viewing figures in 2007 was lower than in 2006. But DR explained to esctoday.com's partner website, www.esconnet.dk that it was because of the new format, and the changes. DR had not give any comments on this years figures yet.
The second Melodi Grand Prix airs this saturday night at 20:00 CET.
