The qualification of Dutch representatives Re-union for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest was followed on TV by 1.630.000 Dutchmen and 782.000 Flemings. The viewing rates for the qualifier round of the Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast on a Wednesday evening, thus did not completely collapse.

It was hard to predict which impact a qualifier round, scheduled on a Wednesday evening, would have on the viewing rates. In the Low Countries, the qualifier round of the Eurovision Song Contest scored quite good.

In the Netherlands, a qualifier round participant, 1.630.000 people watched the Eurovision Song Contest on Nederland 2 last night, resulting in a market share of 27,4%. Flemish broadcaster TV1 reached a market share of 35% as 782.000 Flemings were watching the qualifier round, in which Belgium did not take part.

Although, the Belgians still could look forward to the Netherlands. With Fabrizio Pennisi, half of Re-union is from Belgium. Fabrizio will join his two other compatriots Xandee and Jonatan Cerrada in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place on Saturday.

As we reported earlier, Walloon broadcaster RTBF did not broadcast the qualifier round. For Saturday's final, much higher viewing rates are expected.