For the first time during this season of Melodifestivalen, viewing figures have marginally improved over the previous weeks show.
A total of 2,877,000 viewers watched on SVT 1 and SVT 24 on Saturday night as the last of the semi-finals took place in Örnsköldsvik. Overall 2,855,000 viewers watched on SVT 1, while a further 19,000 viewers watched the sign-language coverage on SVT 24. The number of viewers increased by 19,000 viewers over last week.
The number of viewers who watched the show on Saturday is the lowest since 2011. And represents a decline of 530,000 viewers over last year. This years edition of Melodifestivalen has struggled since the second semi-final, which the show posting between 100,000 and 500,000 viewers less per show than last year. SVT has explained some of the drop as a result of the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Seven artists took to the stage in Örnsköldsvik on Saturday in the hopes of qualifying directly to the final of Melodifestivalen 2018 or going to Andra Chansen, the second chance round to be held on March 3rd. The results of show were as follows:
- Emmi Christensson – Icarus – 6th place
- Elias Abbas – Mitt Paradis – 5th place
- Felicia Olsson – Break That Chain – 7th place
- Rolandz – Fuldans (Qualified to the Final)
- Oliva Eliasson – Never Learn (Qualified to Andra Chansen)
- Felix Sandman – Every Single Day (Qualified to Andra Chansen)
- Mariette – For You (Qualified to the Final)
Mariette and Rolandz joined the following artists, who have already booked a place in the final:
- Benjamin Ingrosso
- John Lundvik
- LIAMOO
- Samir & Viktor
- Martin Almgren
- Jessica Andersson
Olivia Eliasson and Felix Sandman will be competing against the following artists in the second chance round Andra Chansen:
- Sigrid Bernsson
- Renaida
- Margaret
- Mimi Werner
- Moncho
- Mendez
The 2018 edition of Melodifestivalen is being hosted by former participant David Lindgren. He returns this year after hosting the 2017 edition of the contest with Clara Henry and Hasse Andersson. David is the third presenter to return as a host for a second consecutive year, the others being Kristian Luuk (2007 and 2008), and Gina Dirawi (2012 and 2013).
Melodifestivalen has been used for many years to select the Swedish Eurovision entry. A total of 2772 entries were submitted to Melodifestivalen 2018. Twenty-three artists are making their debut at the contest next year, with fourteen returning artists. The remaining dates of Melodifestivalen 2018 are:
- 03/03/2018 (Second Chance Round): Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad
- 10/03/2018 (Grand Final): Friends Arena, Stockholm
Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest
Sweden debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contest’s most successful countries. The country has won the contest six times, the most recent being in 2015. Sweden’s first victory came in 1974 when ABBA won the contest in Brighton with “Waterloo”. Since missing out on the final in 2010, Sweden has gone on to finish 3rd twice and has won the contest twice, only in 2013 did the country place outside of the top 10 in the final.
