The final of Melodifestivalen 2005 attracted 4 million viewers. 56% of the Swedish population chose to tune in for the show last Saturday. Compared to last year, the interest slightly decreased. The fact that the jury vote overruled the people's favourite has also caused mixed feelings in Sweden. Swedish broadcaster SVT is planning to make changes in the concept of next year's Melodifestivalen.

Viewing figures
4.055.000 million Swedes watched the final of Melodifestivalen 2005 from the beginning till the end, good for 86% market share. Last year the show managed to attract 4.105.000 viewers. The figures have thus slightly decreased.

Melodifestivalen concept to change
Since 2002 Melodifestivalen consists of four semifinals, 32 participating songs, a second chance round and a big final in Stockholm. The idea has been launched only to organise two semifinals next year. Practical reasons for these changes are the 2006 Winter Olympics, to take place in Turin from 10th till 26th February 2006, which will coincide with the Melodifestivalen 2006 season.

Thomas Hall, project co-ordinator of Melodifestivalen will step down from his job next year, but first of all he will do the initial planning for next year's revamped concept. “It's time for tactical changes, but nothing is settled yet,” he told to esctoday.com. Later this spring, the exact concept for Melodifestivalen 2006 will be discussed and laid down.

Mixed feelings about the result
The fact that the jury vote decided the outcome with a difference of only three points while an overwhelming majority of televoters voted for runner-up Nanne with the song Håll om mig, has caused mixed feelings in Sweden. Thomas Hall comments that “it's a new experience that the viewers' choice actually didn�t win, it will definitely be something we need to think about when we make the plans for next year's competition.”

Martin Stenmarck will represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Las Vegas. More information on Melodifestivalen 2005 in Swedish can be found on our partnersite gylleneskor.se

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