Formato

Original songs representing participating countries are performed in a live television programme broadcast via the Eurovision and Euroradio networks simultaneously to all countries. A “country” as a participant is represented by one television broadcaster from that country, a member of the European Broadcasting Union, and is typically that country’s national public broadcasting organisation. The programme is staged by one of the participant countries and is broadcast from an auditorium in the selected host city. Since 2008 each contest is typically formed of three live television shows held over one week: two semi-finals are held on the Tuesday and Thursday, followed by a grand final on the Saturday. All participating countries compete in one of the two semi-finals, except for the host country of that year’s contest and the contest’s biggest financial contributors known as the “Big Five”—France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The remaining countries are split between the two semi-finals, and the 10 highest-scoring entries in each qualify to produce 26 countries competing in the grand final.

Each show typically begins with an opening act consisting of music and/or dance performances by invited artists, which contributes to a unique theme and identity created for that year’s event; since 2013 the opening of the contest’s grand final has included a “Flag Parade”, with competing artists entering the stage behind their country’s flag in a similar manner to the procession of competing athletes at the Olympic Games opening ceremony. Viewers are welcomed by one or more presenters who provide key updates during the show, conduct interviews with competing acts from the green room, and guide the voting procedure in English and French. Competing acts perform sequentially, and after all songs have been performed viewers are invited to vote for their favourite performances—except for the performance of their own country—via telephone, SMS and the official Eurovision app. The public vote comprises 50% of the final result alongside the views of a jury of music industry professionals from each country. An interval act is invariably featured during this voting period, which on several occasions has included a well-known personality from the host country or an internationally recognised figure. The results of the voting are subsequently announced; in the semi-finals the 10 highest-ranked countries are announced in a random order, with the full results undisclosed. In the final the presenters call upon a representative spokesperson for each country in turn who announces their jury’s points, while the results of the public vote are subsequently announced by the presenters. The qualifying acts in the semi-finals, and the winning delegation in the final are invited back on stage, and in the grand final a trophy is awarded to the winning performers and songwriters followed by a reprise of the winning song. The full results of the semi-finals are released online following the final, and the participating broadcaster of the winning entry is traditionally given the honour of organising the following year’s event.

Selection: Each participating broadcaster has sole discretion over the process they may employ to select their entry for the contest. Typical methods in which participants are selected include a televised national selection process using a public vote; an internal selection by a committee appointed by the broadcaster; and through a mixed format where some decisions are made internally and the public are engaged in others. Among the most successful televised selection shows is Sweden’s Melodifestivalen, first established in 1959 and now one of Sweden’s most watched TV shows each year.

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Nel corso degli anni il regolamento della manifestazione ha subito diverse modifiche. Di seguito sono qui riportate alcune delle regole attualmente in vigore.

I paesi che partecipano all’Eurofestival possono selezionare cantanti senza vincoli di nazionalità, ad esempio nel 1988 la Svizzera vinse con la cantante canadese Céline Dion, ma ovviamente le tv possono privilegiare artisti autoctoni. Anche la modalità di selezione è libera, così alcuni paesi optano per una selezione interna mentre in altri viene organizzato un festival apposito, come ad esempio lo storico Melodifestivalen svedese o il Melodi Grand Prix norvegese.

I cantanti devono avere almeno 16 anni di età, e sul palco non sono consentite più di 6 persone (neanche per i gruppi). Per quanto riguarda la canzone presentata queste sono alcune delle regole in vigore, valide per tutti i paesi:

  • non deve durare più di 3 minuti;
  • può essere di qualunque genere e cantata in qualunque lingua, anche inventata (e anche qui le tv possono imporre le lingue ufficiali dei loro paesi);
  • non può essere cover o ispirata ad altro brano edito, pena la squalifica;
  • deve essere rilasciata non prima di un certo periodo prima del festival, e deve essere presentata insieme ad un video;
  • non deve avere una scenografia o una coreografia controversa (in particolare sono vietati gli animali);
  • non deve avere contenuti politici, pubblicitari, o offensivi.

Il festival si svolge rigorosamente in una settimana di maggio ed è introdotto come tutti i programmi in Eurovisione dal Te Deum (Charpentier). La finale deve essere obbligatoriamente trasmessa in diretta, mentre per le semifinali è sufficiente dal 2008 la trasmissione in diretta di quella di competenza del paese. Dal 1999 sono previsti, per le televisioni che volessero introdurli, degli spazi per inserire gli annunci pubblicitari e si può anche non trasmettere l’Interval Act.

Fino all’edizione del 2003 compresa la manifestazione si articolava in un’unica serata finale. Per limitare il numero di partecipanti l’EBU ha in alcuni casi effettuato una preselezione, ma più spesso usava le “retrocessioni” (cioè la non partecipazione per un anno alle ultime classificate). Dal 2004 al 2007 compreso è stata introdotta una semifinale che si è svolta due (nel 2004 tre) giorni prima della finale. Alla finale avevano direttamente accesso i cosiddetti (dal 2011) Big Four (Francia, Germania, Spagna e Regno Unito) per il loro maggiore contributo finanziario, il paese ospitante, i nove migliori paesi della precedente edizione e i dieci vincitori della semifinale, per una finale a 24. In entrambe le serate votavano tutti i paesi.

Dal 2008, visto l’alto numero di paesi, il regolamento prevede due semifinali a cui partecipano tutti i paesi ad eccezione dei Big (che diventano Five con il ritorno dell’Italia) e del paese ospitante che accedono direttamente alla finale.

Nel corso degli anni anche il sistema di votazione ha subito alcune modifiche. Dal 1975 è entrato in vigore l’attuale sistema di assegnazione dei punteggi: ogni paese assegna un certo numero di punti alle 10 canzoni preferite: da 1 a 7 punti rispettivamente dalla decima alla quarta, 8 punti alla terza, 10 alla seconda e 12 alla prima, da cui la famosa frase “douze points”. Ogni paese non può votare per la propria canzone.

Inizialmente la votazione era effettuata da giurie. Dal 1997 è stato sperimentato il televoto che è entrato ufficialmente in vigore l’anno successivo per tutte le nazioni. Esistono comunque giurie di riserva che assegnano i punti nel caso il televoto non dovesse funzionare. A seguito delle critiche sul sistema di votazione, nell’edizione 2009 sono state reintrodotte le giurie solo nella serata finale, il cui punteggio ha pesato per il 50% sul punteggio finale, mentre il 50% dei punti è stato assegnato in base al risultato del televoto; anche in questo caso se il secondo sistema non funziona un paese può usare solo il primo.

Al termine delle semifinali vengono annunciati senza un ordine particolare i paesi che in base ai punteggi ottenuti hanno avuto accesso alla finale. I punteggi e la classifica delle semifinali vengono resi noti solo dopo la serata finale. In queste 2 serate dal 2010 si usano come per la finale televoto e giurie, sempre con peso del 50%, e votano solo i paesi coinvolti in quella rispettiva, più 2 o 3 qualificati di diritto sorteggiati. Ad esempio la Svezia e la Germania nel 2009 hanno potuto votare solo di martedì e non di giovedì.

Lo show televisivo della finale dura poco più di 3 ore (le semifinali 2), segue un rigido protocollo, e si usa come lingua l’inglese, con alcuni inserti di francese (lingue ufficiali dell’EBU). Dal 2010 si può votare fin dalla prima canzone fino allo stop. Nella finale tutti i paesi partecipanti hanno diritto di voto, compresi quelli che sono stati eliminati nelle semifinali. L’ordine di presentazione dei voti è attualmente sorteggiato: dopo l’esibizione di tutti i cantanti e scaduto il tempo per la votazione i presentatori della manifestazione si collegano ad uno ad uno con tutti i paesi partecipanti, che dichiarano il risultato delle votazioni nel proprio paese. Inizialmente il collegamento era telefonico, attualmente è in video. Anche la dichiarazione dei voti ha subito delle modifiche dovute all’alto numero di paesi partecipanti. Inizialmente ogni paese dichiarava tutti i punteggi partendo dal basso e ogni punteggio doveva essere ripetuto per regolamento dal presentatore in inglese e francese. Nel 2005 c’è stata la ripetizione solo di una lingua, ma dal 2006 i primi sette voti vengono mostrati in video e solo i tre punteggi massimi (8, 10 e 12) vengono dichiarati. Il presentatore deve ripetere i punteggi un’unica volta nella lingua non usata dal paese collegato in quel momento.

Il paese che ottiene più punti vince l’Eurofestival e acquisisce l’invito a organizzare l’edizione successiva. In alcune edizioni il paese vincitore ha rinunciato all’organizzazione.

Il regolamento inizialmente non prevedeva il caso di parità. A causa del pareggio nell’edizione del 1969 e le critiche successive (alcuni paesi non parteciparono per protesta all’edizione successiva) il regolamento fu modificato e fu deciso che in caso di parità il paese con il maggior numero di 12 punti ricevuti sarebbe stato il vincitore. In caso di ulteriore parità si sarebbe deciso in base al numero di 10 punti ricevuti, eventualmente 8, 7 e così via fino a dichiarare il paese vincitore. Questa regola fu applicata nel 1991 in Italia assegnando la vittoria alla Svezia, che si trovava a pari punteggio con la Francia. Il regolamento fu successivamente modificato e la vittoria viene assegnata al paese che ha ricevuto punti dal maggior numero di paesi. Solo in caso di parità si procede al conteggio dei 12 punti, eventualmente dei 10 punti e così via. Con l’attuale regolamento la vittoria del 1991 sarebbe stata assegnata alla Francia.

How it works. New to the Eurovision Song Contest, or feel the need to refresh your memory? Here we explain to you how it works. In a nutshell.

Each participating broadcaster that represents their country chooses their performer (maximum 6 people) and song (maximum 3 minutes, not released before) through a national televised selection, or through an internal selection. Each country is free to decide if they send their number-1 star or the best new talent they could find. They have to do so before mid-March, the official deadline to send in entries.

The winner of the Eurovision Song Contest will be chosen through 2 Semi-Finals and a Grand Final.

Traditionally, 6 countries are automatically pre-qualified for the Grand Final. The so-called ‘Big 5’ — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom — and the host country.

The remaining countries will take part in one of the two Semi-Finals. From each Semi-Final, the best 10 will proceed to the Grand Final. This brings the total number of Grand Final participants to 26.

Each act must sing live, while no live instruments are allowed.

After all songs have been performed, each country will give two sets of 1 to 8, 10 and 12 points; one set given by a jury of five music industry professionals, and one set given by viewers at home. Viewers can vote by telephone, SMS and through the official app.

Out of fairness, you cannot vote for your own country.

Only those countries who take part in the respective Semi-Final vote, along with 3 of the 6 pre-qualified countries. Which countries take part and vote in which Semi-Final is determined by the so-called Semi-Final Allocation Draw in late January.

In the Grand Final, juries and viewers from all participating countries can vote again, after the 26 finalists have performed.

Once the voting window has closed, the presenters will call upon spokespersons in all participating countries and ask them to reveal their jury points live on air.

Next, viewers’ points from all participating countries will be added up, and revealed from the lowest to the highest, culminating into a climax that will eventually reveal the winner of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest.

The winner will perform once again, and take home the iconic glass microphone trophy. The winning country will traditionally be given the honour of hosting the next Eurovision Song Contest.

Trophy. Since 2008, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest takes home the iconic glass microphone. This trophy is a custom design, especially created for Eurovision.

The unique hand-made piece of art in the shape of a classic microphone is made of solid transparent glass with sand-blasted and painted detailing.

About the designer. Designer Kjell Engman (1946) of Kosta Boda has worked as a glass artist for thirty years. Recently, he has focused on art glass and his creations can be found in exhibitions around the world.

Did you know…

  • The song writers and composers of the winning entry receive smaller versions of the trophy;
  • There is one ‘mother trophy‘ with a generic Eurovision Song Contest logo. Most of the time, it is displayed in the reception area at the European Broadcasting Union’s headquarters;
  • In 2009, Alexander Rybak arrived at his Winner’s Press Conference with a broken trophy. Ever since, the trophy has two metal rings connecting the top and bottom parts;

In-depth: Everything you always wanted to know about the inner workings of the Eurovision Song Contest.

National selections. Each Participating Broadcaster has the freedom to decide how they choose their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Through the years, they have come up with some pretty impressive formats to pick their act. 

How do the national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest work?Each country is de facto represented by its respective public broadcaster. It is at easch broadcaster’s sole discretion to determine who will represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest.

There are three common ways to select a participant for the Eurovision Song Contest:

  • Through a televised national selection: Through one or more television shows, the public can take part in the selection of the country’s representative. The most successfull televised national selection format is Melodifestivalen in Sweden, which features four live shows in different cities across the country, a second-chance show and a spectacular final;
  • Through a full internal selection: Artist and song are being selected internally by a committee appointed by the broadcaster;
  • Through a mixed format: Often, an artist is appointed by the broadcaster, while the public can help choose their song during a live television show;

The EBU strongly encourages participating broadcasters to engage the public with the selection of a participant for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Host City Insignia Exchange. During the Host City Insignia Exchange, which traditionally takes place in January, the mayor of the previous Host City hands over the Eurovision Song Contest insignia to the mayor of the upcoming Host City. 

Every year in May, one city finds itself in the global spotlight for several weeks; the Host City of the Eurovision Song Contest. To celebrate the contest coming to town, every year starts with the Host City Insignia Exchange around the end of January.

The Host City Insignia Exchange usually takes place in conjunction with the Semi-Final Allocation Draw, which determines which country takes part in which of the two Semi-Finals.

Each Host City adds an iconic insignia to the key chain, before handing over the entire collection of insignia to the next Host City.

After the hand-over, the insignia are traditionally being put on display in a public place, such as the City Hall or another venue of local significance, until they embarque on their next journey.

Semi-Final Allocation Draw. During the Semi-Final Allocation Draw it is determined which country participates in which Semi-Final, and whether they take part in its first or second half. 

The Semi-Final Allocation Draw, which takes place every year in late January, determines which country takes part in which of the two Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The participating countries, except for the Host Country and the so-called ‘Big 5’ countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) that automatically qualify for the Grand Final, will be divided across the 2 Semi-Finals. From each Semi-Final, only 10 countries will qualify for the Grand Final, bringing the total number of Grand Final participants to 26.

During the Semi-Final Allocation Draw, the countries that will take part in the Semi-Finals are divided into pots, based on historic voting patterns. In this way, countries that traditionally award each other points are less likely to end up in the same Semi-Final, adding excitement to the shows. The pots are approved by the contest’s Executive Supervisor on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Chairman of the Reference Group, the contest’s governing body on behalf of all Participating Broadcasters.

The Semi-Final Allocation Draw is being broadcast live via Eurovision.tv.

The event weeks. Some two weeks before the Grand Final, the first delegations, journalists and fans travel to the Host City, to attend rehearsals, press conferences and parties in the Host City.

While most TV viewers are focused on the three live shows, the broadcasts are in fact the climax of two exciting weeks in the Host City. What happens during the so-called event weeks of the Eurovision Song Contest?

The event weeks in the Host City usually last about 15 days. A lot happens during the event weeks:

  • All participants rehearse individually on stage twice. After each individual rehearsal, the participants meet with press and fans at the Press Centre;
  • For most of the event weeks, all accredited delegates, press and fans can come together at the so-called EuroClub, the Eurovision Song Contest’s official party venue. Often, participants also throw their own parties, sometimes at the EuroClub, sometimes at other venues. Often, embassies give official receptions to welcome their representative in town;
  • At the Eurovision Village, participants perform during the weeks on an outdoor stage. The Eurovision Village hosts sponsor activities, as well as public viewings during the live shows;
  • Each show is preceded by three so-called Dress Rehearsals. The first Dress Rehearsal is open to the press, while tickets are being sold for the second and third one. The second Dress Rehearsal also features as recorded back-up, and is the show based on which the juries make up their mind;
  • Traditionally, a Welcome Reception and Red Carpet Ceremony are being held on the Sunday preceding the live shows;
  • On Tuesday, the first Semi-Final takes place, followed by a press conference featuring the ten qualifiers;
  • On Thursday, the second Semi-Final takes place, followed by a press conference featuring the ten qualifiers;
  • On Saturday, the Grand Final takes place, followed by a press conference featuring the winner and a grand after-party.

Usually, thousands or even tens of thousands of people travel to the Host City to celebrate the event weeks.

EuroClub: The EuroClub is the official party venue for accredited Eurovision Song Contest delegates, press and fans. It is the place to be to have fun and unwind after a long working day.

Note that EuroClub access is restricted to accreditated individuals only, in the categories D, P and F and is not open to the public. It is obligatory to carry your accreditation badge when visiting the EuroClub.

Eurovision Village: The Eurovision Village is the central Eurovision Song Contest hub in the contest’s Host City, open to the public.

The Eurovision Village is the official fan zone of the Eurovision Song Contest, access is free of charge and offers fans the opportunity to see their favourite acts perform live ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest.

During the live shows, fans are invited to watch the shows on big screens at the Eurovision Village.

Marcel Bezençon Awards. Apart from the glass trophy for the winner, press, commentators and composers also award prizes; the Marcel Bezençon Awards.

Apart from the viewers at home and music industry professionals who decide upon the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, press, commentators and composers also award additional prizes; the Marcel Bezençon Awards.

The award, named after the founder of the Eurovision Song Contest, was first handed out in 2002, at the initiative of Christer Björkman (Sweden’s representative in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest) and Richard Herrey (member of the Herreys, 1984 Eurovision Song Contest winner from Sweden).

The awards are divided into three categories: the Press Award (given to the best entry voted for by the accredited media), the Artistic Award (presented to the best artist voted for by the commentators) and the Composer Award (a jury consisting of the participating composers who vote for the most original composition).

The awards are traditionally handed out backstage, shortly before the Grand Final.

Former winners:

Tel Aviv 2019: 

  • Press Award: Arcade, Duncan Laurence, the Netherlands
  • Artistic Award: Zero Gravity, Kate Miller-Heidke, Australia
  • Composer’s Award: Soldi, Mahmood, Dardust, Charlie Charles, Italy

Lisbon 2018: 

  • Press Award: Mercy, Madame Monsieur, France
  • Artistic Award: Fuego, Eleni Foureira, Cyprus
  • Composers Award: Bones, Borislav Milanov, Joacim Persson, Brandon Treyshun Campbell, Dag Lundberg, Bulgaria

Kyiv 2017: 

  • Press Award: ”Occidentali’s Karma”, Francesco Gabbani, Italy
  • Artistic Award: ”Amar Pelos Dois”, Salvador Sobral, Portugal
  • Composers Award: ”Amar Pelos Dois”, Luisa Sobral, Portugal

Stockholm 2016: 

  • Press Award: ”You Are The Only One”, Sergey Lazarev, Russia
  • Artistic Award: Jamala, ”1944”, Ukraine
  • Composers Award: ”Sound Of Silence”, DNA (David Musumeci & Anthony Egizii), Australia

Vienna 2015: 

  • Press Award: ”Grande Amore”, Il Volo, Italy
  • Artistic Award: Måns Zelmerlöw, ”Heroes”, Sweden
  • Composers Award: ”A Monster Like Me”, Kjetil Mørland, Norway

Copenhagen 2014: 

  • Press Award: ”Rise Like A Phoenix”, Conchita Wurst, Austria
  • Artistic Award: The Common Linnets, ”Calm After The Storm”,
    the Netherlands
  • Composers Award: ”Calm After The Storm”, Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Rob Crosby, Matthew Crosby, Jake Etheridge, the Netherlands

Malmö 2013: 

  • Artistic Award: Farid Mammadov, “Hold me”, Azerbaijan
  • Press Award: Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani, “Waterfall”, Georgia
  • Composers Award: “You”, Robin Stjernberg, Linnea Deb, Joy Deb, Joakim Harestad Haukaas, Sweden

Baku 2012: 

  • Artistic Award: Loreen, “Euphoria”, Sweden
  • Press Award: Sabine Babayeva, “When the Music Dies”, Azerbaijan
  • Composers Award: “Euphoria”, Thomas G:son, Peter Boström, Sweden

Düsseldorf 2011: 

  • Artistic Award: Jedward, “Lipstick”, Ireland
  • Press Award: Paradise Oskar, “Da Da Dam”, Finland
  • Composers Award: “Sognu”, Daniel Moyne, Quentin Bachelet, Jean Pierre Marcallesi, Julie Miller, France

Oslo 2010: 

  • Artistic Award: Harel Skaat, “Milim”, Israel
  • Press Award: Harel Skaat “Milim”, Israel
  • Composers Award: “Milim”, Itomer Adaddi and Noam Horev, Israel

Moscow 2009: 

  • Artistic Award: Patricia Kaas, “Et s’il fallait le faire”, France
  • Press Award: Alexander Ryback “Fairytale”, Norway
  • Composers Award: “Bistra Voda”, Aleksandar Čović, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Belgrade 2008: 

  • Artistic Award: Ani Lorak “Shady lady”, Ukraine
  • Press Award: Vânia Fernandes “Senhora do mar”, Portugal
  • Composers Award: “Pe-o margine de lume”, Nico & Vlad, Romania 
  • Fan Award: Sirusho Harutyunyan, “Qele, qele”, Armenia

Helsinki 2007: 

  • Artistic Award: Marija Šerifović, “Molitva”, Serbia
  • Press Award: Verka Serduchka “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”, Ukraine
  • Composers Award: “Unsubstantial Blues”, Magdi Rúsza, Hungary

Athens 2006: 

  • Artistic Award: Carola “Invincible”, Sweden
  • Press Award: Lordi “Hard Rock Hallelujah”, Finland
  • Composer Award: “Lejla”, Zeljko Joksimovic (Hari Mata Hari), Bosnia & Herzegovina

Kyiv 2005: 

  • Artistic Award: Helena Paparizou “My Number One”, Greece
  • Press Award: Chiara “Angel”, Malta
  • Composer Award: “Zauvijek Moja”, Slaven Knezovic & Milan Peric (No Name), Serbia & Montenegro

Istanbul 2004: 

  • Artistic Award: Ruslana “Wild Dancers”, Ukraine
  • Press Award: Zeljko Joksimovic “Lane Moje”, Serbia Montenegro
  • Composer Award: “Stronger Every Minute”, Mike Connaris (Lisa Andreas), Cyprus

Riga 2003: 

  • Artistic Award: Esther Hart “One More Night”, Netherlands
  • Press Award: Sertab Erener “Everyway That I Can”, Turkey
  • Fan Award: Beth “Dime”, Spain

Tallinn 2002: 

  • Artistic Award: Afro-Dite “Never Let It Go”, Sweden
  • Press Award: Sandrine Francois “Il faut de temps” , France
  • Fan Award: med Laura (Finland) “Addicted To You”, Finland

Keeping the contest fair. Every year, the organisers take extensive measures to keep the Eurovision Song Contest fair. How do make sure we present a valid result at the end of the Grand Final?

Fairness: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is strongly committed to secure the fairness of the Eurovision Song Contest. In order to assure Participating Broadcasters, contestants and the public a fair and valid result the EBU implemented a wide range of measures.

Governance. Participation in the contest is governed by the Eurovision Song Contest Rules. These Rules are established and enforced by the contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, on behalf of all Participating Broadcasters. Embedded within the Rules is a wealth of legacy, some of which dating back several decades. The EBU and the Reference Group are committed to continuously improving the Rules.

Significant changes that touch upon the basics of the contest will have to be approved by the EBU’s Television Committee, a higher governing body on behalf of the EBU’s Member Broadcasters.

The Executive Supervisor on behalf of the EBU, who is a permanent member of the Reference Group, ensures that the Rules are being followed on a day-to-day basis and reports any breach of the Rules to the Reference Group.

In particular, the Executive Supervisor oversees the voting procedure that determines the outcome of the Eurovision Song Contest.

A breach of the Rules may result in a formal warning, a financial penalty or a sanction. The highest possible sanction is an exclusion from participation in the contest for a maximum of three consecutive years.

Voting validation and observation. The outcome of the Eurovision Song Contest is determined by a jury of music industry professionals and viewers, each making a 50 percent contribution to the result.

Each jury, as well as each individual jury member, must meet a strict set of criteria regarding professional background, as well as diversity in gender and age. Additionally, judges pledge in writing they will evaluate the entries based on a set of criteria and state that they are not connected to any of the contestants in any way that could affect their ability to vote independently. Judges can only take seat in the jury once every three years.

The juries vote on the basis of the second Dress Rehearsal of each show, which takes place the night before each live show. Each judge should vote independently and no discussion about their vote is permitted. An independent notary oversees the jury gathering, to assure all regulatory procedures are being followed.

Each jury submits their result to the EBU and its official voting partner Digame via a highly secured system, as well as by fax.

Viewers can submit their vote by phone call, SMS or via the official app. They can vote up to 20 times. Voting tariffs are set by each Participating Broadcaster and will be presented on screen during the shows. Exceptions may apply due to differences in national legislation.

All televotes are being processed by the Pan-European Response Platform (PERP), which was developed by the EBU’s official voting partner Digame to assure all votes are counted in accordance with the Rules. The entire televoting process is monitored live by some 70 trained professionals from the Voting Control Centre in Cologne, Germany. The setup assures that any attempts to unfairly influence the voting, e.g. via bulk voting are detected and mitigated. The exact methods to prevent and/or detect malicious voting is classified and only known to the EBU Executive Supervisor, the Chairman of the Reference Group, PwC and Digame.

The entire procedure – both jury voting as well as televoting – is overlooked by independent observers of PwC and by the EBU’s Executive Supervisor, to assure that all results are being interpreted in accordance with the Rules.