The release rules for Melodifestivalen entries are complex, to say the least. But throughout the years, one thing has remained constant — entries which qualify direct to the final cannot be released commercially until semi-final four is all wrapped up. Breaking this rule risks disqualification.
So, when Wiktoria’s “Not With Me” appeared on Spotify this afternoon, alarm bells began ringing. Aftonbladet reports that the song, which was one of two direct qualifiers from Saturday’s first semi, appeared on the streaming platform for just under two hours.
The breach is being blamed on a “technical fault”. Following some frantic toing and froing between Sony Music execs in Sweden and Spotify’s New York office, the track was removed within half an hour.
“That Wiktoria’s song came out on Spotify for about two hours is, of course, really unfortunate. Sony acted immediately when we found out,” says Nellie Sörman of Sony Music, “With direct help from the Spotify office in New York, which acted fast, we got the song down quite promptlyâ.
The music exec adds, “Releasing songs during Melodifestivalen is a very complex system. This means different technical solutions, some songs should be up and running while others should not be released. We do not know exactly how many people have listened, but given the short time it was up, it is very few”.
SVT has yet to comment, but Wiktoria fans can most likely rest easy. Precedent suggests that she won’t be punished. In 2016, a snippet of Molly SandĂ©n’s “Youniverse” was released prematurely. And last year songs from Dotter, Jessica Andersson and others were leaked on the VK social network. None of these acts were removed from the contest.
However, Aftonbladet’s Melfest expert Tobbe Ek argues that the “Save Me” songstress should be disqualified. He contends that to not do so could tempt others to “accidentally” leak their entries in the future.
Update at 23.30 CET: Wiktoria and “Not With Me” will not be disqualified from Melodifestivalen 2019. The contest’s project manager Anette Helenius made the announcement on Monday evening.
“After conversations with Sony Music, we believe that there was no intention to spread the song on Spotify. We do not believe that the damage is such that we need to take any action. â
Spotify and iTunes charts
While Wiktoria and fellow direct finaist Mohombi aren’t supposed to be on streaming or download platforms for now, there are no rules blocking the other five semi-one songs from dropping. Over on Spotify, Zeana and Anis don Demina lead the way. Despite being eliminated in fifth place, “Mina brĂ€nder” debuts on the daily Swedish streaming chart at #12. Andra Chansen acts Anna Bergendahl and Nano follow at #26 and #35 respectively. Eliminees High 15 and Arja Saijonmaa are at #46 and #120.
It’s a different story on the less influential iTunes chart. At the time of writing, Anna sits tight at #1, while Nano and Zeana are at #3 and #4 respectively. Arja is at #12 and High 15 are at #18.
What do you think of the rule breach? Should Wiktoria be punished for the technical hiccup? Does it give her an unfair advantage? Let us know in the comments below.
From what I’ve heard she’s not disqualified . She’s still in the final. Since it was not intentionaly done. Though some people (not me.) think she should be disqualified. What do you think?
Shouldnât this rule also apply for the Andrea Chansen songs? 4 of them will go to the final as well???
no madam. they published nano’s song and anna’s. people will listen to them for 4 weeks and if they go to final they will be competitors with mohombi whose song was just published two weeks ago. that makes anna or nano more advantaged over mohombi. is it fair?
The rule makes sense . Its to give all qualifying songs same oppurtunity. By releasing all songs people would have favourites and that would give advantage and influence the outcome. With releasing them a week before final they get the same advantage.
As for Wiktoria, there is nothing to disqualify because it wasnt intenional.
Obvious double-meaning in the headline. The song âleaksâ – get it? đ
Even Spotify doesnât understand Melfest song release embargo rules, so I suppose there is hope for all of us. Of course, anyone with an old-fashioned DVR or even video recorder could have just recorded the live performances. (Iâm only pointing out the absurdity; I donât intend to actually record them, fgs.)
https://www.svt.se/kultur/wiktorias-lat-slappt-pa-spotify-riskerar-att-diskas the article where it says that Wiktoria won’t be disqualified <3 (Use the Google Translate feature on Chrome lol)
Just release the songs as and when they air. This rule for DTF songs is unfair and slightly patronising. I agree with the other comments, to not release these two songs is ridiculous.
This rule does not make sense AT ALL in the age of the internet. I hope that they remove it ASAP.
Yes, it does. I think it’s because that it could be easier to predict who will win the contest.
It does make sense. Its to prevent favouritism. Say that all songs are released, some would be more played on the radio and more screamed. While others would not be. That could influence the outcome.
Arja is the only one not in Spotify top 50.
Justice for Queen <3
well considering most entrants heavily use playback, listening to the performances on vimeo is like listening to the studio versions on spotify… wiktalent is an exception tho, she’s just that good
SVT made a statement, she won’t be disqualified
Phew.
I like Wiktoria, but to be honest, her song entry this year is horrible. It’s sad that I really want to see her win the Melodifestivalen and represent Sweden in the Eurovision but nit with THIS SONG!!
In case she got disqualified, will Zeana & Anis replace her in the grand final? I mean, it’s also unfair for a 5th place going directly to the GF while yhe ones who got higher places are still in Andra Chansen!
I am so confused! ?
No they won’t be in the final, either they will let 3 songs in to the final from Andra chansen or they just have 9 songs in the final..
Well since a DTF act never has been disqualified after going to final here, i think that SVT might make an exception and reveal who got 3rd in deltĂ€vling 1 (probably Nano) and let the 3rd place got DTF while Zeana & Anis go to andra chansen. However since the AC acts Nano’s and Anna’s song already also are published i’m not quite sure how that’s gonna work. There might also be a chance in AC where, except the 4 winning acts in each duel, the act that gets the fifth most votes (or the “best” loser in AC) might… Read more »
wiktoria slays
In that case I think they would have 11 finalists, leaving Wiktoria un replaced. There are no clear rules around this
Disqualify her! The rules should be followed and her songs sucks anyways
SVT said she won’t be disqualified.
Mohombi’s song has been on YouTube since yesterday:
https://youtu.be/kKOE6-u2XrQ
Are u guys able to listen to the songs outside of Sweden? I only can listen to No drama by High 15, the others are not available. If I can’t listen why da heck am i paying for SPotify?
most of the songs will probably be available all over the world after semi 4
As per Anna Bergendahl’s post on Instagram, she assured that her song is going to be released worldwide soon. I think the others are the same. So be patient!
I have the same problem on Spotify :/ I didn’t have this problem previous years, all we can do now is to listen them on youtube đ
Likewise! Only the High 15 song is out on itunes. I even purchased spotify premium with the hopes (among other reasons , like the more numerous songs) that the AC and eliminated songs would be up on there asap.
Rules are rules!
She should get disqualified. Rules are rules. Besides this song is the most boring ballad in recent melfest and as usual she won’t get as much jury points and still won’t win.
As a Swede I think SVT’s rules that finalists songs before all songs have performed is outdated. I hope next year SVT will realease all the songs directly after the artist announcements like many other national finals already do.
this !!! not releasing the songs right away is a commercial suicide, wiktalent is losing FOUR weeks worth of streams and sales bc of this
I think she’ll be fine, it was just for a few hours and it was posted during the time semi can still be watched.
And my dumbass didnât notice…
All the semi-final songs should be available as they have been already listened. I don’t understand this “DON’T LET PEOPLE LISTEN TO THAT SONG!!” We can’t say semi 1 songs have an advantage. They lose surprise factor compared to semi 4 ones, so I don’t really think it matters that much. Anybody could record the song during the show and listen to it for four weeks. And of course don’t even think of disqualifying anybody for that. Imagine the depression that the artist could get after all that long-time work and final success…
Who wants to listen to this boring, out-dated song anyway? They gave her this sleeping pill and she STILL went directly to the final. Imagine what she could do with an actual song. It’s so infuriating. To me, it even feels like they gave her this piece of **** so wouldn’t outshine Nano and Anna. And yet she still did.
* so she wouldn’t
YES! I don’t know why she is so liked by us swedes, her song is absolute TRASH. I really hope she flops
reminder that wiktalent haters are ugly and sad creatures. next
I’m hating on the song, not her, you sad illiterate.
Just a future case and point, that if Wiktoria does indeed win Melfest this year (which is looking quite likely), I will refer back to your comment and conclude that either:
1. You were dead wrong, or
2. Melodifestivalen is no longer a âsong contestâ, but is a talent contest.
(The truth probably being somewhere between the two conclusions.) đ
That doesn’t make the song any better, dear. And I wouldn’t be wrong since I never doubted it could win.
So basically, people are voting for Wiktoria without listening to the song. Not wrong then, just harsh.
She’s obviously not going to get disqualified
I don’t want her to get disqualified. She’s a serious contender for the win with a simple ballad. This is beyond her control
She’s not a contender for the win but OK..
Sure. đ