When Loreen won Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool one of the biggest cheers in the Swedish delegation came from Christer Björkman, the man who turned Melodifestivalen into an international juggernaut. Now, after producing the only version of American Song Contest, Christer is returning to the Eurovision circus here in Europe to be contest producer of next year’s Eurovision in Malmö.
According to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet Björkman couldn’t say no to the opportunity: “Eurovision is the mothership, you can’t say no to that”. He will team up with former “American Idol” producer Per Blankens, who will be TV producer for Eurovision and is currently producing “Idol” on Swedish TV4.
“Idol,” of course, is the competition that first brought names including Loreen, Måns Zelmerlöw and Cornelia Jakobs to the public eye back in the day.
Björkman and Blankens produced Melodifestivalen 2006 and 2007 together, and they are looking forward to collaborating again. Björkman will also continue his work developing a South American version of Eurovision, which is still in the planning stages.
Goal is to shorten the broadcast
The EBU is holding a workshop in Berlin this week about Eurovision 2024, and Björkman and Blankens will be presented to the heads of delegations. High on the agenda is to shorten the broadcast of the Eurovision final by up to an hour, without taking any of the competitive element out of the voting sequence.
Rumours about having a “second chance” contest in the style of Melodifestivalen is being laughed off by Björkman: “We have a format that’s very good, and the big changes happened in 2013 and 2016. I don’t think we need a lot of adjustments right now, we’ll just aim to make a tight show that’s not drawn too long into the night. That is our big goal”.
Björkman, who himself competed for Sweden at Eurovision in Malmö 1992, was also contest producer on the last two Swedish editions in 2013 and 2016, and also produced the contest in Kyiv 2017 before he turned to focus on Melfest for a few years and then headed off to lead the production of American Song Contest.
Are you happy that Christer Björkman is back as contest producer? What do you hope to see in Eurovision 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
Melfest and ESC are both wonderful, each in their own way. And both should remain like they are. That’s it, SVT/EBU!
I’ve read the comments and I get the impression there is a real Sweden-fatigue amongst the fans, (not the beautiful country or lovely people), just SVT’s organisation, selection and entries and the seemingly overbearing influence it has on the contest. I’ve personally thought, for a long time, that the contest is just an international extension of the MF. It’s a real shame, because the show style and format is becoming cookie-cutter, overfamiliar and episodic – just like the MF, rather than momentous and unique, which it should be for an annual event.
You perfectly got the point. We are fed up that Sweden constantly has the support of the juries. Not only of the other nordics countries, but steadily, of the anglosphere (UK, Ireland, Australia), plus The Netherlands. Additionally, bring Loreen a second time and shamefully winning it, I guess backfired against Sweden and SVT. People would like to see more variety. Different countries to win. Less arrogance and less self confidence. Sweden has got it’s seventh victory, but, if we check, Sweden has mostly always won thanks to the biased juries. Plus, having a Swedish Executive Supervisor who sees patterns of… Read more »
At least Ronela was his fave in 2022. So having big hopes on him bringing lots of upbeat vibes next year and hopefully a second shot for Ronela. Maybe she could try Melodifestivalen! Would be amazing on home soil!
SWEDEN!
alright we know you’re from sweden and that you like sweden
now stop sharing your patriotic posts, thanks
It’s really disappointing to see that ESC has become a Swedish circlejerk
Sweden has hosted two of the best editions of later years 2013 and 2016. Amazing years, especially 2016 was spectacular.
2024 will be great
Austria is calling
The opening sequence of Vienna 2015 was much better. And that’s said by an Italian.
Non non ding dong! Monaco is *not* participating!!
I wish to be wrong, but it seems we are witnessing the fall of Eurovision, with it becoming more Melodi and less Festivalen. It breaks my heart to see Swedes destroying a legacy that lasted for nearly 70 years. Oh, were we fouls to be hyponotized by Swedish plastic in the past! However, we must admit that letting Trojan Horse into our beloved contest is partially our responsibility.
It’s not the responsibility of those really love the contest in the fandom. They provide support, give feedback, make constructive criticism and call out the unspeakable, and spread their love to many countries.
The downfall of “Eurovision” is mainly the responsibility of stupid and lazy and sub-par and underprepared b*********** with limited skills and inteligence and no vision or strategy to make their people and artists and countries proud.
It’s also the fault of the “industry” that made it become the televised *vanity fair* that is the “SVeurovision”.
Heartbreaks galore. Smithereenns are everywhere!!!! EVERYWHERE!
I fear the same, and just in 2021 it looked like the contest was finally getting better 🙁
Bjorkman, Österdahl, Zemmerlow, S. Jean-Baptiste…. every f… year! I can’t anymore, maybe they are competent but they already got the chance many times to show their skills to the world, it’s enough, it’s too much, there are other people and others countries on this planet for god sakes!
Well, next year is going to be a Sweden-hosted Swedish production. Makes sense to have them be present on the one host country that matters, which is their own.
Look, all the people I mentioned don’t need to have Sweden to host to be present, they are here every year and personally I’m fed up with that.
It’s like in the Melfest and San Remo where every year we see the same faces again and again, it’s so boring, this esc world is becoming boring and this season won’t be an exception unfortunately.
There’s loads of other nationalities who work on the contest every year. Looking at the names shown on the closing credits of every show would prove that.
Man, sometimes I wonder if those mfs have a life out of or have done something unrelated to ESC
They need it to exist, it’s the time of the year they can get a little bit of “fame”, imo it’s pathetic, but as a result they can have a hand on every aspect of the contest, and it’s disturbing and questionable moreover when we see Sweden’s results every year. Their consistent good results a coincidence? Not at all and on the opposite when I see how some others countries are treated in this contest, I’m disgusted. People open your eyes stop being naive please.
Many work on public broadcasting.
Tick-tock … tick-tock … time to find out the newcomers and the withdrawals of “SVeurovisionnn” 2014!!!
2024!!! No edit botton no more!! WARUM?
It’s long gone. Moron/s using it to dodge moderator. Sad.
Instead of removing the edit button, they should start actually moderating their comment section since is toxic af
Not the Eurovision should be shortened but Björkman’s term as Executive producer… i am fed up with all the changes Sweden wants to bring to the Contest.. this is not Swedenvision but EUROvision.. Let us enjoy our favourite contest as it is!! We wait for it whole year.. if for someone 4 hours is too long, there is no obligation to follow it. I hope Sweden understands that Europeans are tired with their „innovations”. They can do whatever they want with MF. Also their music doesnt bring nothing new to the contest, the same generic, pop, cheap tunes.. i will… Read more »
The worst part is that they feel entitled to make changes here and there and it looks like no one can oppose them
”sweden” does not decide. Its the EBU that decides
And who runs E U, you dumbass?
Fredrik, you loose each single occasion to proof you are intelligent. Shut up for God’s a sake.
I’m sure we’ll get a professional and very good contest next year, on the other side however, I’m scared of what they could change next year.
The main reason why Liverpool took as long 4:15 was that there were two host countries, so time had to be found to fit in both British and Ukrainian elements.
Lucky there were not four host countries in 1970
Still woulda been shorter, what with only 12 songs that year.
I’d say the mainer reason is that the voting window is open unneccesessarily long, and we need to suffer unfunny filler to cover the time.
Is “mainer” a word? Also I misspelled “unnecessarily” unnecessarily. My bad.
1 hour less show means cheaper tickets isn’t it dear esc producers?
But in fact no I guess and it will even be the opposite, disgusting.
Actually 3 hours is set for the show every year. All extra time is just that, extra time
Cut the stupid flag parade, the umpteenth interval act, and the private broadcaster style dramatization of the last televoting results (with each Top 10 country’s points taking up to three minutes to announce, while everyone below the Top 10 gets brushed over). And instead give us 3:30 songs or at least give us back the announcement of the 8 and 10 jury points. Also, get rid of that whole pre-recorded vocals BS and at least allow for live instruments. And last but not least: If not even 20 stagehands can manage to bring a staging requisite on stage within those… Read more »
Having a bad day? Go outside a bit and chill.
Not at all. It’s just that the EBU has been stacking up terrible decisions lately Like it was some sort of challenge.
Why are so many people acting like Sweden sending good songs and doing well is the worst thing to ever happen? Y’all need to get a life. Looking forward to another great Eurovision year!
Sweden’s songs are mid and dated, don’t lie to yourself
Like Italy…
One word.. JEALOUSY
It’s not jealousy, it’s cringe
SWEDEN!!!! The best!
For Swedes certainly but for NOBODY else!
Sweden won this year. So yeah. And before you start with the usual ”Sweden did not win the televoting” bs … Sweden placed second in the televoting with a very high score. Without it Sweden would have not won.
It’s not bs, they didn’t win the televote and everyone (but Swedes, who can’t even host the contest in a proper venue in Stockholm) was put off with Sweden winning
your mommy is ”everyone”?
My mom’s missing since 2015, vtlv
Björkman will do a great job!
A good job finishing ruining the contest
Keep crying
You’re the one here crying that Sweden isn’t well regarded by the fandom
Sweden needs to stop trying to change everything. At this point I’m disappointed when they win because I feel like unnecessary changes are coming. Millions of people watch Eurovision for what it is. It doesn’t need to be changed continuously. I’m starting to wish they wouldn’t even compete anymore
We also need to have Australia stop competing. Let’s not renew their participation. Their blatant alliance with Sweden is obnoxious.
And why? Australia sends good music and it’s cool that they participate
How old are you? 12?
Does their age matter? Why are Swedes so obnoxious and in denial when it comes to Eurovision?
Maybe Fredrik is a pedophile, would explain why he always asks for 12 year olds here so often?
No, but I heard your father is imprisoned for that exact crime Bruce-boy
Well you must have as you have been an inmate.
And how did you hear about that?
so touchy… that Sweden won Eurovision really hurt you. love it
Given that pedophilia is way more common than we’d like it to be, no doubt he might be. His fixation on 12-year-olds is unsettling
Yeah… no… things have gotten unpleasant. Not really a subject to throw around as an insult or make light of.
No I’m an adult who’s been a fan of Eurovision for many many years and feel like Sweden at the end of the day wants to turn the contest I love into a cheap international version of Melfest
It’s a very odd choice to pick the same person yet again, even after that massive ASC failure?
Because his background as a producer of the contest stood out the most.
Sure he has experience, but does that mean he is the best choice?
Someone else might be better, but how can anyone show their skills if it gets handed to the one with past experience? ASC was a lame version of Melodifestivalen, and after that failure, we’re at the point where ESC might have the same faith.
One of the worst things of all IMO is the long announcement of the jury points: clichés, the freaking block vote points, word salads, cringe jokes, broken English. Everything is predictable as f*** and possibly the worst quality segment tv show-wise of the entire production of the televised event called “SVeurovision”.
I honestly wouldn’t mind if we’d save 30 minutes by just introducing the jury points the same way we do televoting – Accumulated points from last to first, and that’s it.
Hiiiii! Happy new “SVeurovision” year!!!!
I’d say keep the spokespersons but get rid of platitudes and cringe and stuff and do what they used to do in the old days of telephone voice announcements. Accountability is necessary.
But we would miss Barbara from Germany shouting out the points live from the Reeperbahn, the Eiffel Tower in the background in case we forget who is calling. Or drunk persons asking the presenter for his phone number (2006).
Sweden should leave Eurovision and join Intervision or Our Generation because Sweden is like russia
Grow up
As much as many people here seem to enjoy it, I don’t really see the point of the flag parade. I can easily imagine artists who would prefer to skip it. From having to endure pointless green room talk, having your face zoomed in so everybody can see when you get a low score, there are a lot of things Eurovision acts have to endure. I can imagine many high profile artists deciding it’s better to avoid the hassle altogether.
The flag parade is iconic. Keep the flag parade and get rid of an interval act song if they’re so pressed about the duration of the show.
The problem remains too much filler, too long voting/counting votes with interval acts most aren’t interested in. The vast majority of people turn up for the songs and the voting sequence (which itself could be shortened by not trying to be so dramatic with the televote. “And now….. COUNTRY ….. From the public…… The televote score for COUNTRY ……. Has been received as…………….. Wait for it………… COUNTRY you have received……… ### points from the public!” followed by a long scene of them celebrating and another pause to say “Now COUNTRY is the leader…. And so we will move on to… Read more »
I found the previous contests with Swedish productions very dull, compared to the others in recent years. I would have wanted to see something fresh for once, especially as this is Sweden’s 3rd opportunity to do so recently.
The length of the show does not matter perhaps less interval acts as we have 26 songs already. Its only once a year and was always known to be a long event. No need for much change it all adds to the drama, tension and excitement.
This year the flag parade was mixed with long pauses with interval acts performing, making it last the longest ever. Could be shortened to 5 minutes max, instead of 30! Also, the interval acts are way too much and makes you tired and sleepy that late in the night. The show can be easily fixed and still be very interesting and intense for the viewers.
I couldn’t agree more. But I’m afraid they’ll instead shorten the jury vote in order to overdramatize the announcement of the televoting points even more. Also… what about the flag parade? It’s the most unneccessary thing in the world! That’s the one thing I’d get rid of immediately. And please don’t compare it to the Olympics – the one at the Olympics features athletes from ALL participating countries, so it at least makes a statement. Olympics: ‘Participating is everything’ ESC: ‘Qualifying is everything’ Like… for real? How disrespectful is that to the artists and countries that couldn’t make it? The… Read more »
I am happy he’s back. Let the the beibas cry.
To be honest, the grand final was too long this year. Not that I did not enjoy the show and the Brits did a FANTASTIC job, perhaps the best song contest ever (production-wise). Hats off to BBC and the team.
BUT…
I found it was too long. Already there are a lot of songs that compete, and the voting has been shortened (only the 12p, no televote by country, etc.). But a bit shorter would be fine with me.
I agree whole-heartedly that the production was near-perfect. No missed camera shots, confusion, missed cues, everything was absolutely seamless, down to branding, stage, presenters. One thing the Brits have going for them is the BBC, they really are the best in the business.
It was good, in a functional sorta way. Not very original.
Perhaps it wasn’t the most creative edition, but they really mastered the extra task of paying tribute and respect to Ukraine. I’d say, the BBC gave the Brits another reason to be proud of it.
BBC, but the City of Liverpool also did some of the heavy lifting there.
True. I haven’t been there, but from everything I read, Liverpool must have been the very best host city in ages. I honestly never would have expected that.
If they see an opportunity to cut an hour out of the interval (which I fully support, it’s too long), then this should be used not only to shorten the show, but also extend song length limit to 3:30 mins. That’s an extra 13 minutes in the final, so the show would still be 45 minutes shorter.
Three minutes don’t really work with the standard pop song structure.
that’s not gonna happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to shorten the songs to 2:30 arguing with being trendy and going with time (TikTok). Not this year. but maybe at some point.
I could see that happen, too. As far as artistic credibility goes, that would be the biggest mistake they could possibly make, though.
Oh god, who’s surprised? $weden will keep bringing the same formulaic cheap tackiness as usual and the same people will keep hyping the $hit out of it god knows why
The jealousy towards Sweden… omg
It’s not jealousy, it’s cringe
Sweden and Ireland now share the record. Which reminds me of the fact that Ireland once hosted five times in ten years. Every time different to the last. All with a new team and presenters, and a new “feel” every year. Not relying on the same faces. Also introducing new things, like 1988 first computer-generated scoreboard, 1994 first on-camera spokespeople, 1997 first televoting…
In short, there is more than just one person in the whole of Sweden able for this job.
From tomorrow, I will stop complaining about this subject, I promise. Just needed to get it out of my system.
Please don’t!
Good comment – none of RTÉ’s 1990s hostings felt similar to any of the others, which was pretty impressive as I imagine the desire to reuse things must have been massive, especially from a costs perspective.
That said, the EBU is far more involved nowadays with the production and the preparations, so the host broadcaster doesn’t have the flexibility it once had. I think the chances for a host broadcaster to really innovate are gone.
True, true… I was surprised that even a behemoth like BBC was afraid to break the rigid recipe. Idenitkit flag parades, scoreboards etc. Sad.
This.
I deteste how EBU got itself very involved…and guess what, due to Sweden/Swedish pressure.
ESC nowadays is like Melodifestivalen. Same recipe.
I thought the EBU got more involved after LTV fell so badly behind preparing for the 2003 contest?
No actually, the following ESC shows were having a true and very distinctive feel, up to 2011. 2011 and 2012 were copy-paste shows from start to finish due to having the same production company behind (Brainpool). Enter 2013, SVT and Swedish producers. Is all down from that point.
2002 and 2003 where having help from SVT, especially, but the ideas for those 2 particular contests were original.
But why? 3/4 of the fans say no to that.
The only thing they should do is stop making the producers say ‘remember to vote’ in 20 dofferent breaks
I don’t think it’s hard to understand. Most of the viewers are not fans who participated in the wiwibloggs voting.
Just make vote people speak fast. And if they’re wasting time, punish broadcasters. I really don’t care that XXX is doing great job with hosting and YYY loved it. 40 times. I want to know who gets 12 points from YYY, that’s all.
Remove the flag parade and some of the filler VTs and bits by hosts. 30m-45 mins would be enough to take off.
I hope SVT don’t make drastic changes like they have previously.
One more, if not THE reason to go in ESC hiatus next year! See you in 2025.
Zu Schade …
Good riddance! The less annoying cry babies we get, the better!
Please stay true to your word and avoid it!
I wish you were the one who took a hiatus instead, you’re insufferable and your unwillingness to accept that Sweden has been detrimental to the contest is outrageously mind-blowing
LOL no! And miss your weekly rants about how bad Swedes, Sweden, SVT, ESC in Sweden and Swedish acts are?
Why would anybody do that? Or be called unsuffurable for not thinking it is bad?
You’re clinically stupid, man. I pity you
Malmö, Björkman, next Måns Zelmerlöw to host? Tired of him already.
I think they could shave off 30 minutes without ruining it. They can ditch the flag parade and the third recap for a start.
Yes, please! The fandom already knows all qualified participants anyway. And the casual viewers couldn’t care less about the countries either, since the majority of them is only tuning in to ridicule the show.
Don”t get why people always think ESC must be a springboard for new talent. It has always been about the best people, both in front of and behind the camera. BBC used their best experienced producers behind the camera, as they should. This team has proven they work so why change it?
Per Blaknes is the current producer for Idol and is wellknown for always tweaking it a bit..
But hey, if you want to give it to a twenty year old with no experience of producing..
The contest is not Christer’s own personal franchise.
No, and he also said he will not change it because there is no need
But he is also a good producer as is Blankens. They are not hired to create a whole new concept, but to create a good show
*proceeds to cut an hour to the show and to God knows what else he has in mind*
Why does many people treat Sweden like Russia or Belarussia
Looks like they are becoming Russia of Eurovision? At least with Björkman to decide everything/the rest favouring Sweden?
Are you bejba
Every One with a Common Sence is me ? Thanks for Complement 😉
Sweden is not like russia
As a dictade the rules not far from it! Eg. about reducing power of the juries, will never accept with Björkman now on charge.
They think they own the contest and can do whatever the hell they want with it. Manipulate it to change the rules at will (prerecorded backing vocals, etc.) Tired of Swedish personalities in every edition of the contest that have no business being there (Måns, Cornelia, ABBA, etc.) That ABBA segment was so unnecessary, not to mention manipulative. Måns doesn’t need to be there every single time. Now they want to change the format of the contest. It’s annoying.
Yes I agree. It’s not Sweden is SVT. Sweden should drop SVT and join with Tv4 or RIKS
SVT is the only swedish member of EBU. Also EBU rules gives preference to public service broadcasters.
Then Sweden should be banned just like russia HAHA
Hello Fan Thank you for supporting me
Surely there are other producers in Sweden who deserve an opportunity to do this job rather than the same people again and again. Personally the 2013 and 2016 contests felt too over-engineered and lacking in emotion, so bit concerned about next year. What is the obsession with the run time of the final? This year’s may have been the longest but it certainly didn’t feel like it (with the exception of getting Loreen back on stage to get the trophy). Never been a fan of the flag parade (an SVT invention btw), guarantee that one of the changes will be… Read more »
To be fair, 2016 was a near perfect edition, with Petra and Måns being the very best hosts I’ve seen in 26 editions of Eurovision. The worst parts of the show were those ‘comedy’ bits by Thank-god-I-forgot-her-name and that insanely overrated, yet still enjoyable performance by Justin Timberlake. So… not much to complain about there.
Still… whenever I read Christer Björkman’s name, it’s giving me red lights. At this point, I’ve come to think he doesn’t even really care about Eurovision the slightest bit. All he cares about is his own agenda and financial wellbeing.
Oh god, not this guy again… this is why I find Swedish contests so dull and vapid – just a larger, formulaic, predictable extension of the MF, with absolutely zero character.
Well, he’s better than Osterdahl. What’s so wrong about this guy?
People hate him because he from Sweden
He just decides everything favouring Sweden! (Remember performing order?)
Exactly Sweden will “Concidencely” to draw a Good Slot . Probably preforming 23-26th
With no hoper and novelty act either side of them
He have nothing about that. It’s not he’s job. Isn’t that a man from The Netherlands
Not in 2024. In 2024 Twan will be the Dutch HOD.
I think now that Ukraine is not in the picture they can just go back to 1 interval act per night from Sweden. That will help with the length of the shows.
Indifferent to the return of Christer, hoping though Petra is back.
I know she works for another tv channel now, but Alesha Dixon works for ITV not BBC
Same how Chantal Janzen doesn’t work for AVOTROS but for RTL4 in the Netherlands, yet she hosted ESC 2021 anyway
There are some odd awkward filler moments, that actually are planned, like Alesha Dixon’s rap, that was 2 minutes of nothing.
But I don’t see how that all adds up to an hour. Few less intervals would be good. Used to be 1 interval act, now there’s several.
They added that because Dixon is an actual rapper and it would be a waste of a presenter. If you ask me, only two presenters are really needed.
Also, I assume that Alesha’s rap was during the commercials in some countries.
So the green room filler moments will still be there next year, which is one of the few moments that could indeed be removed without missing much.
This is positive news, like him or not 2013, 2016, 2017 were all solid years with good hosts and some impeccable interval acts (Petra 2013, Petra + Måns 2016, Onuka 2017 etc.) As long as they leave the flag parade alone we’ll have a decent show in Malmö
I’m all for the flag parade to stay, but the opening sequence, plus this, has gone up to 15 to 20 minutes. It could definitely be shortened without taking it out.
I dunno, but his smile looks really unsettling on that cover photo
Get rid of in vision spokespeople Krister, they add nothing and waste time building their parts.
Absolutely disgraceful This guy should never be allowed at eurovision He’s more correct Absolutely disgraceful