On Saturday night, Denmark will hold the grand final of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix — and will select the Danish act for Eurovision 2020. But whoever wins won’t be met with an arena full of cheering. Following advice from the Danish government, broadcaster DK has confirmed that the DMGP grand final will not involve a live arena audience.

The advice comes straight from the top. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced this morning that the government was recommending that events with an audience larger than 1000 be cancelled or postponed.

This precaution has been taken following the emergence of the coronavirus in Denmark, to help prevent the virus from spreading. When announcing the decision, the Prime Minister said, “None of us should panic in this situation. But we must act. Rather sooner than later.”

Broadcaster DR moved swiftly into action, confirming that Saturday night’s Dansk Melodi Grand Prix would be held without an audience.

DR spokesperson Gustav Lützhøft explained, “We obviously had a dream of thousands of people in the auditorium as it gives a special atmosphere for such a show, but we are still going to make a big TV production, which we can gather about at home in the living rooms.”

Lützhøft also dismissed the suggestion that the show could have been held with a smaller audience of less than 1000. He said, “I’m annoyed on behalf of our audience, and I’m sorry to have to disappoint them. But our first priority is to adhere to the recommendations we get from the authorities.”

The DMGP production team will now have to reformulate the show to compensate for the empty Royal Arena. After all, a camera shot set up to capture an audience reaction isn’t going to work when there’s no audience.

It will be up to hosts Hella Joof and Rasmus Bjerg as well as the ten competing acts to provide the energy on the night.

DMGP fan club president Hanne Bjørn-Klausen was disappointed but understanding. She explained, “It is the highlight of the year for us fans, so it is very annoying. But you do it because you are asked for it and because it is necessary. You can’t have a whole population getting sick.”

Sweden in discussions

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reports that broadcaster SVT and event operator Live Nation are currently in talks regarding Saturday’s Melodifestivalen grand final. However, an SVT spokesperson has confirmed that at the moment, the broadcaster still intends to hold the show with the usual Friends Arena audience.

The news follows reports that a number of delegates will not physically attend Monday’s Heads of Delegation meeting. Broadcasters were given the option of staying in their home country and following the meeting remotely.

The Swedish and Israel delegations were previously confirmed to be staying home, while Greek broadcaster ERT has today confirmed it will also be staying home. However, Cyprus’ broadcaster CyBC still has plans to attend the HoD meeting.

What do you think? Are you sad that DMGP won’t have an audience? Will the empty arena favour different styles of music? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Denmark Eurovision 2020 news here

77 Comments
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Anita
Anita
4 years ago

Denmark is wise. This measure will help slowing everything down, a lot of specialists in Germany recommend measures like this too, but yet there are still football games with audiences (upt to 80.000) etc. going on in Germany . The specialists say it is more dangerous than the flu. It will take nearly 2 years untill we have a vaccination. The slowing down is escpecially important so that the spreading won’t lead to the place where the illness curve changes from the U to a W structure (means a lot of 35 year olds will get sick..), which can happen… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

The audience risk “losing being human” so they can’t “say yes say yes say yes” to attendance.
Might as well invite Malou Prytz to “cross the floor in the dark arena“.
But don’t worry, because “Love is Forever”.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

This is getting out of hands. It’s just like a flu. It’s worrying if you have other health issues. Other than that is safe. As it happens with the “normal” flu by the way. I don’t get all this drama of doing shows and matches on empty stadiums and arenas. And everyone in the comments is so pesimistic. Guys turn off the TV. You are just feeding the drama.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

“Getting out of hands” quite literally.
Here in the UK, Hand Sanitiser is now out of stock and is being stolen from some hospitals. But no, we are not panicking, just being dramatic.

EurovisionAviation
EurovisionAviation
4 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I wouldn’t risk people getting sick and possibly dying if I was the competition organizor. In the end, all they want is people being safe and not spreading it onto others. If one person coughed in the audience and had the coronavirus, it would spread to possibly hundreds or thousands of people.

Yordan
Yordan
4 years ago

I supposed that Eurovision will have big problems this year due to this coronavirus. Can’t wait to learn the news after the meeting of Head of Delegations. I heard it is going to be held next week.

Polliu
Polliu
4 years ago

And I got downvoted heavily the other day for saying that EBU may consider drastic measures in May due to Coronavirus ‘cuz that’s what happened here in Asia. Many big events got cancelled or postponed or turned into small events without the audience. Apparently, it’s getting serious in Europe day by day. These may happen for the safety of the people in Europe.

Eurofan
Eurofan
4 years ago

Media in my country are reporting that EBU is considering what to do if the epidemic of coronavirus in Europe continues. According to them, in that case, there is possibility for Eurovision to be held on internet. I have no clue what that means exactly, but I guess each country will present their entry from their own studio.
I guess we’ll know more after the meeting of the delegations.

InEurovisionWeTrust
InEurovisionWeTrust
4 years ago

It’s the best they can do… but i really REALLY dont want eurovision to be cancelled. I guess they could transmit it via satellite, but that would take away so much of the experience that the artists usually have. Let’s all pray and hope that the virus will be under control coming this May. But things are NOT looking that bright at the moment… :/

CRAIG
CRAIG
4 years ago

The EBU should be watching this closely. There is every chance the same thing will happen with Eurovision if the current trajectory continues

The Roop is On Fire
The Roop is On Fire
4 years ago

This is just sad.

Africavision
Africavision
4 years ago

Srbuk was able to add an empty arena into her Eurovision performance. If one of these acts are smart, they should do the opposite, and end their staging with a shot of an arena full of screaming fans. The audience at home will be shook, after seeing the silence at the end of all the other performances! Way to stand out, if you ask me! Also, since the DMGP stage is the same year in and year out, the DMGP producers could even just cut to video of the audience from last year to add some atmosphere. Alternatively, just hire… Read more »

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Africavision

Its a new stage this year, so that will not work

Oinoa
Oinoa
4 years ago

This is too far.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

I wonder if this won’t change the public’s perception about certain songs. Without an audience, fun songs may feel less entertaining and ballads may feel more impressive to viewers. But it is what it is, it’s not like Denmark can postpone it.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Indeed: “Say yes, say yes, say… (silence)”.
I suppose they could use a fake applause sound.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Just saying: if the contest is in danger of being canceled, they probably wouldn’t have bothered filming postcards, right? Well, according to her Insta, Arilena Ara is currently filming hers in Arnhem.

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Hopefully it will be contained by then. So it makes good sense.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

I also just read an article saying NPO has a series of scenarios they’ve prepared for, and the PM of the Netherlands is very much against canceling. The pre-contest parties are also proceeding as planned.

Bigger
Bigger
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Blas also arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Vincent Bueno was in Rotterdam this week btw, so some postcards probably already have been filmed. But they probably might continue just in case Eurovision won’t be canceled

Bigger
Bigger
4 years ago
Reply to  Bigger

Off topic but this is the behind the screens for the postcard of Blas

https://youtu.be/lr6qbUYHZxA

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Bigger

It would be weird if the contestants are beamed in from their own countries for the performance, but were in the Netherlands for the postcards.

Teddie
Teddie
4 years ago

Can’t wait for those Tel Aviv style wide camera shots!

LinusESCfan
LinusESCfan
4 years ago
Reply to  Teddie

that was reaarsels. so it did not happen

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
4 years ago

In fact, the coronavirus ends in April!

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
4 years ago
Reply to  Hyunwoo

It’s not fake!

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Hyunwoo

No evidence. Your argument is invalid.

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex
Patrick
Patrick
4 years ago

There are 100 of 1000 people dying of a normal effect every year and no one cares…. this corona-virus-panic-making by the media needs to stop!

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

Oh yes, it was the sensationalist media that quarantined an entire Chinese province as well.

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

What a lovely and caring person you are. Bless you.

Helene
Helene
4 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

In Sweden almost all persons with some kind of health problem that make then vulnerable and older people take the vaccin against the normal flu every year. Now they cant since there is no vaccin so their lives are in danger.

Bigger
Bigger
4 years ago

I don’t think it will be that weird for the artists and hosts. They have to do rehearsals without audience anyway, it won’t be different on the night.

I completely understand the decision. Rather prevent it on forehand, than continue and have a terrible avoidable situation where suddenly tens of people got ill at the same time, spreading it to other place in Denmark and Europe.

It will look awkward on tv, but if they try to focus the cameras mostly on the stage it will be fine

Rasmus Bording Irlind
Rasmus Bording Irlind
4 years ago

it’ll definitely a very different show, though i’m glad i didn’t buy any tickets to show, since i live in copenhagen. perhaps this mean next year they’ll make it up for, by hosting dmgp 2021 in royal arena once more, but hopefully with an audience next year.

Chinese bat soup
Chinese bat soup
4 years ago

audience’s relief

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago

They just put personal saftey over the venue. Sweden who has many more cases than Denmark are filling a stadium 3 times – 2 rehersals and 1 final – with a total og 80.000 people . One might call that for reckless.

diana
diana
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

I think SVT or live nation doesn’t wanna lose the money

Sam
Sam
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

It depends what the transmission is in Sweden. If it’s being transmitted within communities then yes there might be a risk, but if not then there is likely no risk. Entirely depends on how it is spreading within both countries tbh

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

MelFest is a huge phenomenon in Sweden that attracts all corners of Swedish society, whereas DMGP is viewed by Danes as their selection show for ESC, but not as much else. MelFest, FiK and Sanremo transcend their ESC purpose and are so much more as shows, so restricting audiences would be a far bigger issue

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

But why not ban the audience from the rehersal? This can only by about putting swedish greed above safety.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

That’s not at all relevant to the situation at hand. If they take that into consideration when making their decisions, then they’re making a big mistake.

LinusESCfan
LinusESCfan
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

If i die tomorrow after i have been there live i Will tell you. Haha your so silly

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

It is very reckless. It comes down to greed and money of course.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob

No, it doesn’t. The Danish are following their government advice, and the Swedish are following theirs. SVT are not the ones making the decisions – if the health officials told them to shut down, then that’s what they’d do.

Leo
Leo
4 years ago

Perhaps we should get used to this idea for what it comes next in Rotterdam?

Andreu
Andreu
4 years ago

I really do not understand people who are upset with this decision. Sure maybe you already spend money to be there but we should be very appreciative that the broadcaster has taken the government’s precaution seriously instead of having a possible crisis at hand. We shouldn’t be thinking selfishly about our own discomfort or inconvenience because of their decision but rather take it as a cautionary measure to ensure others are safe.

Erik
Erik
4 years ago
Reply to  Andreu

True, and they will refund the 10 000 people that bought tickets

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

That’s going to be awkward as hell for the competitors….

Citizen of Memel
Citizen of Memel
4 years ago
Reply to  Andi

They’ll probably put the curtains. There was a concert by Limp Bizkit in Kaunas this year and due his support of Putin regime, many people boycotted his show. Staff had to put on the curtains so the arena of 20K capacity would not look as empty as it was. You can look at the pictures in this article how genially it was done: https://www.delfi.lt/veidai/uzsienio-zvaigzdes/kaune-pasirodyma-surenge-limp-bizkit-didesnio-susidomejimo-nesulauke.d?id=83635371

Jack
Jack
4 years ago

Imagine the gems in the set which is the same 4 years now 😛

Chris
Chris
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

they have a new stage actually 😉

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

They all will be sorry in May when it’s warmer, the flu is gone and they realise the huge loss they did..
How fun is watching an empty arena? And how fun is it for the acts if no one is watching?

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

It may not be as fun as performing in front of the audience but it’s about people’s health and it is far more important.

Giorgio
Giorgio
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

If one spectator at the final died as a result of contracting the virus in the arena it would be a much bigger loss

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  Giorgio

First off, the mortality rate is extremely low. So people can’t just die like that. You can have the virus in you and still live. The peoplel who have it says that it¨s no more dangerous than a sever flu, at least according to a Swedish man that cached it.
And if someone already has the virus he or she is likely to be quarantined and not able to go anywhere. So the risk of catching should diminish.

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Not really. You can be a symptom free carrier for 14 days. Italy has 150 death of 4000 cases. So what do you mean people can’t just die. You might survive but you can give it to your granny who will. This forum is filled with swedes who Would live love die for the sake of a cheesy pop show. Spooky.

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Mortality rate may be low but we still want the virus to stop spreading. No one says that the people from the audience would die but they could transfer the virus to other people and get people who are more vulnerable infected. Btw, flu is very serious, too. It can be mortal and what is important it may cause some serious complications

Erik
Erik
4 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

This whole May thing is nothing. Nothing is certain about what kind of temperatures that is best for the virus. If it was to die from heat, May would not be the date for the nordics.
Iran is much hotter. It’s spreading in the Philippines with tropical climate.

And yes, many of us swedes are really selfish. We knew about the transmission in Italy. Yet 20 000 swedes went there for holidays in end of February.
That’s the origin of the 100 and counting infected swedes.

ESC Nils
ESC Nils
4 years ago

Like ‘Yes’ for example, I think without audience, which seems to love that song, this won’t be taken into account from both public and jury. More place for ‘human’ then, which I prefer by miles.

Christian Mohr Christensen
Christian Mohr Christensen
4 years ago

I had tickets for this show; so I am obsviously really disappointed right now, but I understand the situation and support DRs descision. It will be a huge anti climax to sit at home watching DMGP tomorrow, watching a TV-production in an empty hall and not the celebration so I frankly don’t know right now if I really want to watch it.

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago

Expect similar for Eurovision itself.

Kirby
Kirby
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

I do too!

LinusESCfan
LinusESCfan
4 years ago

Sweden will have audience. Im going to be SOOOOO pissed if they cancel. Im here now. Have traveled a long way. Denmark is silly. Just my opinion

Andi
Andi
4 years ago
Reply to  LinusESCfan

Don’t understand the negative ratings here, because I agree with this.

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  LinusESCfan

Doubt SVT will do it empty. There are no plans to do so. If they were to decide I think a decision would have been made already. It’s going to be to late otherwise and a lot if angry people already in Stockholm

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  LinusESCfan

Considering the virus might spread and kill all your friends and family, I think you should be thankful if they cancel.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

They could invite Sanna Nielsen, she would sing empty room haha lol

Anna
Anna
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

hahaahhahaha

Kuhkatz
Kuhkatz
4 years ago

The problem is also that they absolutely can‘t postpone it no matter if its possible or not because of the submission deadline. Yes it sucks for all the artists after all the preparations but also for the fans, but if there‘s no other way, they should go through that as professionals.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

You see? There’s always a backup plan.

diana
diana
4 years ago

Really sucks for the competing artists but i applaud the danish broadcast and the government to take the safe route

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  diana

Lets see if you will be chearing if SVT takes the same decision..

diana
diana
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

They didn’t so jokes on you

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  diana

They still might. e don¨t know..

diana
diana
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

They’re doing melfest as of now and it’s unlikely it’ll change unless the corona virus’ spreads and people with it increase drastically

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  diana

Good for me: )
I have tickets and already in Stockholm.

diana
diana
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Yeah. I work there so i’ll be there too!