As recently reported, 2016 host broadcaster SVT is proposing that the start time of Eurovision be moved from 21:00 to 20:00 CET. The reasoning – as it is, the broadcast can end up running past midnight in most time zones, which makes viewing Eurovision difficult for children.

“Time, time, don’t let me down,” sang Izabo in 2012. But is the current 21:00 CET time slot of Eurovision letting down viewers in eastern countries?

As more nations have joined Eurovision over the decades, more time zones have been added to the mix. This means that when the broadcast is finishing at 23:00 in Manchester, Porto and Belfast, it’s midnight in Brussels, Milan and Oslo, and 1:00 in Athens, Tel Aviv, and Helsinki. Many Eurovision fans from the UK and Ireland have fond memories of watching the show as children, so why not make this easier for the kids of Central and Eastern Europe?

But what about tradition? People throwing Eurovision parties would have an hour of pre-show partying taken away. And what about busy commuters who’d be rushing home to see the semi-finals at 19:00 in Dublin and Lisbon? Let’s also consider that in some countries staying up late is a normal part of the culture – just look at the very Italian, very late-running Sanremo Music Festival that goes well into the midnight hours.

How do you feel about the proposed change?

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72 Comments
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Erin
Erin
8 years ago

I have no problem with moving the final one hour earlier, but I really think this is a distraction from the real issue: The length of the final. In Vienna we witnessed a show lasting over 3 hours and 30 minutes and that’s really stretching the limits of how much one can sit in front of the tube. The only way to make the program more concise and exciting is this: -Reduce the number of finalists from 26 to 24 and reduce the number of qualifying countries to 9 instead of 10 from each semi-final. Under this system, 6 countries… Read more »

bavarson
bavarson
8 years ago

Here are fair results for ESC 2011:
1. Sweden 278, 2. Azerbaijan 244, 3. Greece 227, 4. Bosnia and Herzegovina 223, 5. United Kingdom 202, 6. Russia 186, 7. Ukraine 177, 8. Ireland 151, 9. Germany 143, 10. Georgia 141, 11. Italy 141, 12. Moldova 131, 13. Denmark 130, 14. Hungary 127, 15. Finland 122, 16. France 121, 17. Lithuania 121, 18. Romania 106, 19. Serbia 95, 20. Estonia 86, 21. Spain 85, 22. Iceland 75, 23. Slovenia 57, 24. Austria 49, 25. Switzerland 41

esc1234
esc1234
8 years ago

The thing is, if sweden didnt AGAIN try to change something no one would ever complain about that. I never heard azerbaijan or russia complain and actually NOBODY CARES. its once a year,shut up and focus on music and on making eurovision fair again.

Alison
Alison
8 years ago

@Uros Haha, very diplomatic, I like it!

Max
Max
8 years ago

And don’t forget Russia. It would be 4am somewhere in the east of Russia 😀

Uros
Uros
8 years ago

Would you like to Eurovision start in 20:30. Well, results of voting are similar and we could use average. What do you think about this? 😀

europa
europa
8 years ago

it wouldn’t go past midnight if it had a more brief opening and less stretched out interval stuff.

LULU
8 years ago

Wasn’t it Sweden who changed the standing in front of the stage , that was a stupid idea, but that still happened, We should change other things like . the length of song from 3 min to 4min, , Bring back orchestra.

Deniz
Deniz
8 years ago

No thanks! It will cross tv programmes that are watched normally, so people will miss it.

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
8 years ago

No, thanks.

I’m SICK of SWEDEN changing the rules as soon as they can.

Michael
Michael
8 years ago

People let’s face it, Sweden is A-Esc country.They have money and they’ll do whatever they want!Will EBU give a chance for countries like Greece,Albania,Romania or Turkey to express their opinion?I like esc a lot but i think it’s starting to look fixed!!First Azerbaijan’s (not) deserved victory in 2011,then all the voting scandals in 2013.Then Conchita’s win in 2014?I mean ok it was a good song and i understand why people voted for it but the juries liked it that much???And this year ALL juries vote for Sweden and Latvia?? God what will happen next year…..

Juan
Juan
8 years ago

Don’t forger Reikjavik, in Iceland: it will start at 6 PM!!!!!!!!!!!!

FrancESCa
FrancESCa
8 years ago

I dont understand who Sweden think it is to change everything

Melissa Kutcher
Melissa Kutcher
8 years ago

What about those of us that watch the live stream? I live in the United States and that would put me watching the live stream at 1300 hours(Chicago time).

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

@Alex: Eurovision is already too crowded and loud … do we really need more than 6 people on stage? To do what? Nobody is playing live! Is this was really a honest live played music show then maybe but that is not the case… unless you want either a big choir to sing in the back of some gospel-soul-big ballad …or as I am sure this must be it – twenty dancers on stage surrounding the main singer the same way every single Britney Spears’ Las Vegas happens … Nobody wants to look at singers sing … everybody wants to… Read more »

Mark
8 years ago

I am against. 21:00 has always been the best time. I know that in Eastern Europe it might be thougher, but a huge number of participanting countries is in CET so 21:00 needs to stay. 20:30 maybe. 20:00 is too early, most people are not home yet or just have come home. So, DO NOT change the time, but DO CHANGE the juries (increase the number per country and let people chose them) and add voting sequence to the semis!!!!!! I expect so much from Swedn!!!!!!

Alex
Alex
8 years ago

I honestly don’t care if the show starts at 8 or 9… an hour earlier wouldn’t make that much of an impact I think.
However, one thing that FINALLY needs to be changed is to increase the number of persons allowed on stage! Six is way too less when you compare Eurovision performances with other professional live acts. The stages get bigger and the technical capabilities are better every year, so why not make a change? Melodifestivalen shows how well it works!

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

I like everything they have at the moment I like how I have to stay up late because the good songs wake me up 😀

bavarson
bavarson
8 years ago

Eurovision needs a few changes:
1) increase the length limit from 3 minutes to 3,5 minutes
2) increase the number of persons permitted on stage from 6 to 10
3) reduce the number of participants advancing to the final from semi-finals from 10 to 8

mawnck
mawnck
8 years ago

I think it should be TWO hours earlier, TBH. Show it when it’s convenient for the maximum number of EBU members. I know … wacky concept, right?

PP
PP
8 years ago

I don t like that idea, but because if strong nordic loby in Eurovision that change wili be from 2016 like change in runing order from 2013…
Cut the long opening in final with parade of nation, this year was to long from start of final to first country to perform like as in 1989 almost 25 minutes , and start in 21 CET

Ian
Ian
8 years ago

You will never find a time that pleases everybody. No matter what time is chose, the will be someone dissatisfied with it.

John
John
8 years ago

I’d like it but it wouldn’t be for my benefit in the UK, rather those staying up until silly o’clock in Eastern countries. I would leave the semis the way they were though, they don’t run on for too long.

Blah
Blah
8 years ago

Whatever, really… change it and it’s going to annoy some people. Leave it like that and you’re not going to please others.
My two cents: just leave it like that. I haven’t read a lot of complaints about it before SVT came up with that idea. So how about the EBU doesn’t let people go on a drama that we can avoid and keep it as it is?

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

Starting one or half an hour earlier is not a relevant thing IMO … if the EBU really wants to focus on that, then maybe they should reconsider shaping the whole thing focusing on what really matters – the songs taking part … and less green-room/conchita/host-comedy-bs … choose the god damn winning song and stop making this into a MTV show award for no reason … imagine the amount of time, this would save … it’s a TV show not a night out at the club. Set some proper rules, EBU, instead of trying to please every single spoiled-brat wish… Read more »

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

Maybe half an hour earlier, since half the people are saying yes and the other half are saying no.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

I just don’t get why people always want to change major things. Yes, change and evolution is necessary, but you shouldn’t change every little detail imo. It has never been a real problem, not even really for the eastern countries. And it’s just once a year.
And I honestly don’t think that we need to “respect” the Aussies in this issue, I’m sorry.

PhysalisFranchetti
8 years ago

What I would vote for is not changing the voting time on the night, but moving the voting to the night after the actual performances. There are a couple of problems that would benefit from this practice:- 1. The jurors would then be able to vote on the actual performance on the night, not on the final dress rehearsal. In 2014, there was at least one act that must have been in tune at the dress rehearsal, but out of tune on the night because it was not reflected in the marks, and this country did well on the scoreboard.… Read more »

Michael
Michael
8 years ago

Is it only me or does everybody else think that Sweden is acting like the own the contest?Cause apparently they’re doing whatever they want.Ok they really can throw a great show but somebody should stop their attitude.It’s Saturday,who sleeps at 10 pm?What will happen if children in Sweden stay awake for an hour?Sweden get over your self!!!!!!

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

Surprise surprise, Sweden can’t change anything and they don’t own the contest. Only the reference group can approve any change to the contest. Sweden or any other country can come up with suggestions but they alone can’t change the contest. And no, Christer Björkman isn’t part of the reference group any more. He wasn’t re-elected or didn’t want to to be re-elected cause he didn’t have time for it. he had to focus on Melodifestival. So no more “SVT thinks they own everything”- nonsense. How about you do research before you open your mouth And change of time isn’t even… Read more »

DJ Tiggeh
DJ Tiggeh
8 years ago

Cut out the 20 min intro, the flag waving, the multiple visits to the green room, the multiple interval acts and hey presto….the show can run like it used to.

esc1234
esc1234
8 years ago

of course NO. It makes me furious that they think they own eurovision and they can do whatever cross their minds. WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU CANT! we are talking about the biggest tv show on earth and u want to do it like your national selection! well why dont they add a new part to the show, enabling audience to sing allong with the artists like this stupid show that they do on a countryside. The swedish people are going to watch it. BUT NO ONE ELSE.

Peccafly
Peccafly
8 years ago

a big NO! from Japan.
That would mean i will have to wake up at 3:00am

>Zac
>no because I don’t want to wake up early
That’s right

Franco
Franco
8 years ago

SVT, STOP MESSING WITH ESC EVERY TIME YOU HOST!

Paul D
Paul D
8 years ago

If they change to an hour earlier it will be bad for countries like UK, Ireland and Portugal because their viewing figures will decline and we already now that these countries struggle to gather attention from the audience because of bad results in the contest. It will be worse and worse…

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
8 years ago

P.S. Totally hating all the negative Aussie-phobic comments … do you REALLY think we have a problem watching competitive activities at anti-social hours? HULLO! We were RAISED on the Ashes series!!!! (ask a cricketer)

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
8 years ago

The simple answer is to make the final shorter – 20 songs MAXIMUM. Whether this means regional qualifications (Scandi bloc, Mediterranean islands bloc, Former Soviet bloc, one rep each, whatever) or only 5 from each semi going on to the final, it’s currently a Test Match that wants to be an ODI … an opera that’s crying out to be a musical … a 13-part mini series that wants to be a TV movie … a US Presidential race that wants to be coup … A marathon crying out to be a 400 metres final … (oh if you’re so… Read more »

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
8 years ago

I can’t understand why someone would disagree. I mean, who cares when it starts, as long as I can see Eurovision, I’m happy. Every May I had to do a sacrifice because I ended up going to bed at midnight, but now I can go to sleep earlier. And even if they would broadcast it one hour later making it end at 1 am, I wouldn’t care. It’s Eurovision, it’s what we wait for an entire year, if for 3 nights we have to do a little sacrifice, it’s ok.

Ali Nella Houd
Ali Nella Houd
8 years ago

I voted yes: it may allow more children in (northern-hemisphere) participant countries to see the end of the voting.
For those of us in Melbourne time, a 4 a.m start (as opposed to 5 a.m.) is not really much of a difference. (It may even make it a bit easier to “chuck-an-all-nighter”…)

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

@Robyn – the orchestra was absent in 1999 because the venue was very small…it had a 2,000 seat capacity which was unthinkable in 1990’s standards. The EBU stipulated that an orchestra would only be ‘optional’ as of 1999 and Israel’s state broadcaster took advantage of this and dropped the orchestra as a way to conserve money for the show. The fact that no other broadcaster has since opted for an orchestra eventually led the way to shifting emphasis on staging and technological prowess. BTW, This was the EBU’s rational behind dropping the orchestra back in 1999: “With an orchestra, the… Read more »

#MarioVision
#MarioVision
8 years ago

@ But this is an issue 4 other millions people that live in eastern Europe when the Final starts there 1 or even 2 hours later than it does in Greece..
So we have to find the proper ideal scenario that will do good not only to us but to ALL..
It won’t really have negative impact if they move the Grand Final an hour earlier..
So I really do not justify all this fuzz..

#MarioVision
#MarioVision
8 years ago

Well guys we try to find the better possible scenario of the general…Like the fact its too late 4 millions of europeans to get tuned & watch the EuroVision.. 23.00 – 3.00 & 24.00 – 4.00 are way too late time periods 4 the euro fans viewers.. If there are just few-some viewers that do not agree with this change because of their own personal time conflicts schedule then ok.. But these people are just fewer than all these millions people living in these eastern countries that will gain benefit by this change.. So we will choose the option that… Read more »

valiapavl
valiapavl
8 years ago

Noo..why to change that.I believe that if someone wants to watch it he will do that even in midnight.Here in Grecce it starts 22.00 and it finishes(the grand final) in 1.00-1.30 but we dont have problem.We are used to staying late in the night.But even if it was later I would stay to watch it as i am mad about it and I dont think that the hour can stop me…

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

This would be a lot of hassle for the Australian audience lol.

sarmi1995
sarmi1995
8 years ago

Also to mention this is a special event not very common just like New Years is so prople would stay up late for it 1 night where it finishes at 3:45 in azerbaijan wont kill anyone

sarmi1995
sarmi1995
8 years ago

Well 190 million viewers are over the 3 shows socthe final must be watxhed by like 70 million and the higher viewing figures come from the centreal western countires cause they have higher populations. Sweden if it aint broken dont fix it

Steven
Steven
8 years ago

Leave it thx bye

Lanti
8 years ago

I wouldn’t mind as it would start at 14:00 instead of 15:00 (but then again I can’t vote)

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

If they start even an hour earlier American students (including me) won’t be able to watch the semifinals at all
As for the final it would just be a nuisance to have to visit the Swedish Embassy right in the early morning

Scott
Scott
8 years ago

Yes, please. The contest has evolved over time. Lets not forget the first contest was less than 90 mins long and until the mid 2000’s it used to be delivered within 3 hours, now its 4 hours long! Some viewer in Azerbaijan would be up to 4am, if they had enough energy to stay up. In 1956 there was no voting sequence, even when the voting was brought in it took until 1975 for the current format to be introduced. Freedom of language although experimented in the 70’s only really kicked in from 1999. The contest itself didn’t have semi-finals… Read more »