More Changes For Sweden's Melodifestivalen

It has been revealed today that the most popular national final in the Eurovision calendar 'Melodifestivalen", will under go a slight change ahead of its first semi final in February. The national broadcaster for Sweden SVT have confirmed that there will be changes to the voting procedure, that will give the viewing public more of a say on who they want to win the popular show.

Last year the Nordic nation decided to send Robin Bentsson to Kyiv. This was through a combination of jury and public vote. However, there was slight controversy as the public had voted him third, and the artist Nano first. The jury vote over ruled the publics decision by 20 points, with many seeing this as being unfair.

As a result of this, the team behind the Melodifestivalen has sought to introduce this change. Mr Melodifestivalen himself Christer Björkman told the Swedish paper Aftonbladet, "Changes are healthy and should be there".

1997 saw the professional juries award 1,2,4,6,8,10 and 12 points to only 7 artists. However, starting this year the votes will resemble that of Eurovision, meaning 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 10 and 12 will be awarded, allowing more artists to receive points, whilst spreading the vote out.

This new system will enable both professional juries and the televoters to have a more equal say in choosing a winner, and from 2018 it will appear fairer.

No doubt, with the start of Melodifestivalen on the 3rd February, fan favourites will crash out of the competition, maybe prompting more changes in the future. Only time will tell.

Stay tuned to Eurovoxx for more information on Europe's favourite national final. Have you got a favourite? Tell us in the comments below.

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