Melodifestivalen "Andra chansen" changes -

[Madison]

Sweden's selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestivalen, will undergo some exciting changes for 2007. An extra week has been added, with the 'second chance' round being a live performance round rather than a video replay of the semi final performances, and with a new voting system.
In the biggest changes to Melodifestivalen since 2002, SVT are hoping to make MF2007 even more exciting.

"We want to make Melodifestivalen 2007 an exciting event. More fun to the people!". Martin Österdahl, the new project manager of Melodifestivalen, concludes. "Swedish as well as fans of Melodifestivalen abroad will surely have something great to look forward to!".

Melodifestivalen will expand by one week next year, as the "Second Chance" round becomes an event in its own right. Instead of a Sunday show from a tv studio, it takes it's place on prime time Saturday night with a full arena. The new Melodifestivalen is a six week long great party for musiclovers, taking place at six different towns around Sweden.

"The missing link in the Swedish selection system is gone" says Martin Österdahl told our partners at Gylleneskor. Since Melodifestivalen introduced the new concept with four semifinals back in 2002 - the Second chance round has been a rather dull part of the concept. "Eight losers" - those that placed 3rd or 4th in their respectively heats got a new chance to qualify for the big final. But the artists never had a chance to do their entries again as their performances were recorded from the previous semifinals.

"The artists never liked the situation since they felt they had already lost anyway. They never had a chance to improve or to change their performances. But now, the opportunity exists, it's a real second chance! The artists can improve their performances and change things and concepts that were less successful the first time. So, the second chance round will become like a whole new exciting competition. As it is taking place in a big arena we will be giving even more people in Sweden the opportunity to watch Melodifestivalen live next year!" Martin Österdahl said.

A new system will be used for the voting for the second chance round. Inspired from the world of sports it can be compared to knock-out cup competitions in football or tennis. The eight second chance entries are set against each other in four pairs. People will be able to televote on their favourites in each pair. The winners in these four meetings proceed to a second round in which the four remaining songs are divided in two pairs - the two winners in the last meetings gets a ticket to the final of Melodifestivalen.

The dates and host cities for Melodifestivalen 2007 will be announced later.

A good thing, I think. I was gutted when I found out that the "Alcastar" recording with the horrific key change was going to be shown and not another live performance.

[David_5000]

Apart from letting them perform again (which always seemed wrong before), I don't see the point of this - this 'knockout' thing is a bit pointless.

And don't blame Tess, she redeemed herself in the final. ish.

[Apocalypt_flyer]

The knockout idea is RUBBISH.

[Sheena]

The bad idea about this is it means the "Andra Chansen" songs instantly have even MORE exposure...

[Broomhelga]

Don't like it, plus it could mean that the two favourites arent necessarily the ones going through

[Världen]

The pair thing sounds like a bad idea.
Keep it simple!!!

And getting in the Andra Chansen round seems like an advantage now, as you are able to perform the song 3 times then.

[Jake]

The knockout idea is rubbish.

[Madison]

I'm quite pleased at getting an extra week's show.

[Toyah]

Martin Österdahl, the new project manager of Melodifestivalen

Does that mean that Christer Bjorkman is no longer involved with the MF? Shame.

[Pemel]

Not keen on the knock-out rounds, - highly illogical. Who will decide who is up against who? The two best entries of the night may meet eachother in one particular knock-out?

However, as already mentioned; a proper 2nd chance AND an additional week of MF glory cannot be wrong.

This setup, however, closely mimics the "SEMI FINAL" dilemma of ESC: the "losers" get 100% more prime time viewing than the straight-throughs.

Hardly fair.

[Pemel]

Does that mean that Christer Bjorkman is no longer involved with the MF? Shame.

AND a worry!

[Madison]

I hope they don't mess with the on-screen graphics. I still like them.

[Toyah]

AND a worry!

Indeed, since he took over the running of the MF in 2002 Sweden have had 4 Top 10 placings in the ESC. A good record if ever there was one. We WON'T mention Martin Stenmarck.

[Toyah]

I hope they don't mess with the on-screen graphics. I still like them.

Starting to look a bit old now though, they've been around for YEARS!

[Pemel]

Indeed, since he took over the running of the MF in 2002 Sweden have had 4 Top 10 placings in the ESC. A good record if ever there was one. We WON'T mention Martin Stenmarck.

Not only that, he revived the flailing MF, which was up until then (2002) considered corny at best. Now, the MF has followers as far away as... eh... Moopy?

Seriously, he deserves massive credit for doing that!

EDIT ADD: Viewing numbers in Sweden are now around the 50-60% mark, similar to having a royal wedding in the UK e-v-e-r-y year... And if you add up the five (to be six?) weeks, they'd be coining it in had SVT been a commercial channel...

[Suomi]

Sounds just like this new guy is trying to make his mark...


as Sheena said, the second chance song now gets to be viewed live THREE times...I'd almost prefer it if my favourites DID have to get through like that. And those poor automatic qualifiers from Week one! 5 weeks to wait!


And how would they decide who is paired up against who?