Eurovision Evenings

[Aston]

Just noticed this on BBC News Online.

Public votes were miscalculated at the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on Wednesday after technical hitches in Monaco and Croatia.
The European Broadcasting Union, which runs the event, said there had been "a problem with the calculation software".

But the result was unaffected, and the 10 semi-final winners will continue to take part in the final.

For the first time in its 49-year history, the winner of Saturday's final is due to be decided by public vote.


I don't get the last paragraph though? Hasn't the winner of the final always been decided by public vote...

Nope, traditionally it's been decided by a panel of judges from each country. The phone thing is only a relativly recent addition to proceedings.

Smaller and poorer countries have been those least likely to have a phone vote in the past.

[Martin]

This year is the first to use a central televote system, in years gone by it would be left to the state broadcaster and telephone company to organise for their country.
As mentioned, smaller and poorer countries couldn't afford to establish a televote where as others didnt meet the EBU standards - for example Bosnia & Herzegovina's telephone system didnt meet the reliability threshold so they had to use a jury.

[rts]

Does that mean we wont have the lovely hopping around different countries getting in the results?

[Martin]

No no, that stays, wouldn't be complete without it!

The votes will be centrally collated and then the details sent back to each country who will still announce the votes by satellite link.

[rts]

No no, that stays, wouldn't be complete without it!

The votes will be centrally collated and then the details sent back to each country who will still announce the votes by satellite link.

Few!

[Pete]

Few!

<em>"Phew"</em> Rodderick.

[rts]

Few!

<em>"Phew"</em> Rodderick.

Super stuff.

[dvboy]

I think I'm gonna borrow a projector from uni.

[Martin]

Well although its not linked to anywhere, the chatroom is still on the server:
http://www.metropol247.co.uk/chat
If you want to use it on the big night.

[James Martin]

Aah, love thy neighbour.

[Cheese Head]

I like Wogans Commentary, but I wish he would shutup somoetimes as he talks over everything.

I voted for Cyprus because it was the best from the lot. Does anyone remember the one with the guy that looked, sounded, dressed like a girl? Ouch...

It was really shit this year, englands entry was really good and got like 27 points.

I liked Ukraine though, I dont mind that they won. I liked the opening song too...