A survey by Interfax has revealed that more than one third of the Russian population followed the broadcast of the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 two weeks ago. The survey also reveals other interesting details about the contest's popularity in Russia.

Surprisingly, the survey is presented in a quite negative way as it says: 63% of the Russians did not watch the television broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest. Regarding the fact that 37 % – more than one third – did follow the contest, it seems not be a bad figure at all: For example, in Germany about 7 million people watched the show – ca. 9 % of the population. Even if we include the many party guests, the figure will be by far lower than in Russia. On the other hand, ca. 43 % of the Finns watched the contest. Since Finland was the host country, their viewing figures were obviously higher than the average which leaves the Russian interest still strong.

Other interesting details reveiled in the survey are:

• about two thirds of those who watched the show, liked the contest
• about two thirds of those who watched the show, liked the performance of the Russian representatives Serebro
• The majority preferred Dima Bilan's performance in the 2006 edition
• 42 % of the viewers think that the voting was unfair, 31 % think that the voting was fair and 27 % are undecided.

(All figures are rounded)

Russia's Serebro finished third in Helsinki with their Song #1. Therefore, Russia is once again directly qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final in Belgrade in 2008.