A cool 1.001.000 viewers in Norway watched Alexander Rybak take his second MGP victory last Saturday.
Broadcaster NRK from Norway has released the viewing figures for the national selection Melodi Grand Prix 2018, which took place last Saturday. An average of 1.001.000 viewers watched the live broadcast on NRK1, and saw Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak take the crown ánd ticket to Lisbon with his self-composed and written entry That’s how you write a song.
Slight decline yet established format
Although MGP 2018 had a decline of some 150,000 viewers when compared to the 2017 edition, the show remains popular among Norwegians. Significantly, mostly teenagers and young adults have an interest in the show, with 78% of viewers between ages 10 and 29 tuning in. This may indicate that NRK has selected artists, songs or contemporary music styles that appeal to a younger audience.
NRK producer, MGP project manager and Norwegian delegation leader Stig Karlsen comments:
This year’s great music event on TV never ends, and a victory with over more than one million viewers in today’s media competition is no less than amazing. Rarely, the feedback from the audience has been better, both in terms of songs, artists and NRK’s television production. It is very pleasing to see that MGP continues to be Norway’s biggest entertainment show, almost 60 years after it all started.
A clear winner
Alexander Rybak and his song were the clear winners of MGP 2018. The artist received almost three times more votes by SMS than Rebecca Thorsen, the other super-finalist.
The singer and violinist was a smash winner of Eurovision 2009 with his entry Fairytale, being the record holder of highest amount of points in the former ESC-voting system. Being a former winner has advantages and disadvantages. Head of the Norwegian MGP-club Morten Thomassen says:
Some think we have the winning chances, while others are just looking forward to Alexander Rybak to wipe off when Norway is in the semi-finals. Nobody is indifferent to the Norwegian song and that’s good.
In the betting odds, Norway is currently in the top-10 for winning the contest. Alexander Rybak will perform That’s how you write a song in the first half of Semi-Final 2 on Thursday 10 May 2018:
