BO
Why did the BBC need to put up that silly message about not voting?
Here is what NRK in Norway did:
http://a.yfrog.com/img85/2615/6oj.jpg
They didn't need to put a HUGE box reminding viewers that they cannot vote.
I see that Germany are both using phone and SMS voting:
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/135/ndr01.jpg
Is there a reason that SMS voting is not done in the UK?
Here is what NRK in Norway did:
http://a.yfrog.com/img85/2615/6oj.jpg
They didn't need to put a HUGE box reminding viewers that they cannot vote.
I see that Germany are both using phone and SMS voting:
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/135/ndr01.jpg
Is there a reason that SMS voting is not done in the UK?
Last edited by squawkBOX on 26 May 2010 12:10pm
DV
SMS voting has been declared unreliable following the voting issues events. The BBC have decided not to use it anymore.
NG
I suspect that the phone number prefix may have been printed in some listings magazines - so they felt the need to ensure that people knew that they couldn't vote in this round whenever a phone vote prompt appeared on-screen. And wasn't the BBC's strap the same size as NRK's - just with text on it and the number being masked?
Not surprising given the previous phone vote problems the UK industry has had.
SMS voting has been widely discredited in the UK (text votes went missing, didn't arrive before the lines closed etc. as they weren't handled by the normal text messaging routes to avoid network swamping) - though other countries telephony providers may have different infrastructures. Sweden continues to use it for Melodifestivalen.
Thought the on-screen graphics NRK used last night were clear and elegant. Much prefer on-screen envelopes to eggy moments with presenters juggling 10 real envelopes and then struggling to open them.
noggin
Founding member
Why did the BBC need to put up that silly message about not voting?
Here is what NRK in Norway did:
http://a.yfrog.com/img85/2615/6oj.jpg
They didn't need to put a HUGE box reminding viewers that they cannot vote.
I see that Germany are both using phone and SMS voting:
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/135/ndr01.jpg
Is there a reason that SMS voting is not done in the UK?
Here is what NRK in Norway did:
http://a.yfrog.com/img85/2615/6oj.jpg
They didn't need to put a HUGE box reminding viewers that they cannot vote.
I see that Germany are both using phone and SMS voting:
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/135/ndr01.jpg
Is there a reason that SMS voting is not done in the UK?
I suspect that the phone number prefix may have been printed in some listings magazines - so they felt the need to ensure that people knew that they couldn't vote in this round whenever a phone vote prompt appeared on-screen. And wasn't the BBC's strap the same size as NRK's - just with text on it and the number being masked?
Not surprising given the previous phone vote problems the UK industry has had.
SMS voting has been widely discredited in the UK (text votes went missing, didn't arrive before the lines closed etc. as they weren't handled by the normal text messaging routes to avoid network swamping) - though other countries telephony providers may have different infrastructures. Sweden continues to use it for Melodifestivalen.
Thought the on-screen graphics NRK used last night were clear and elegant. Much prefer on-screen envelopes to eggy moments with presenters juggling 10 real envelopes and then struggling to open them.
TT
Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Semi-Final 1
Here are the notes I made about each song during its performance yesterday evening. Please read this as if I'd posted it during the interval.
Song 1: MOLDOVA - Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira "Run Away"
Introduction somewhat reminiscent of "Money Money Money" by ABBA. A lively ABBAesque song with a bit of Tom Jones' "She's A Lady" thrown in for good measure. Difficult to decide this early whether or not it should qualify.
Song 2: RUSSIA - Peter Nalitch & Friends "Lost And Forgotten"
From a lively dance song to a ballad. Not as good as Dima Bilan's "Believe" two years ago. Lord have mercy that you'll qualify, there's not much hope in seeing you Saturday night.
Song 3: ESTONIA - Malcolm Lincoln "Siren"
A more upbeat ballad, with a bit of dancing. Marginally better than Russia, but not sure this deserves to qualify either.
Song 4: SLOVAKIA - Kristina Pelakova "Horehronie"
One I half liked on the ESC 2010 CD album, and it's much better sung live. The first song tonight that definitely deserves to qualify. A good dance routine which I'd like to copy Saturday night.
Song 5: FINLAND - Kuunkuiskaajat "Työlki Ellää"
A folk song, too dated and folksy for Eurovision? Well I wondered if "Fairytale" was too folksy, and it won last year. It wouldn't be Eurovision without an accordion would it? Great acrobatics, but remember it is a song contest, not an acrobatics contest. Työlki Ellää, I'd like to see you too Saturday.
Song 6: LATVIA - Aisha "What For?"
A female soloist performing a ballad, though there are backing singers for the chorus. Verses a tad dull, chorus livelier but a bit repetitive. I'm not sure this merits qualification.
Song 7: SERBIA - Milan Stankoviæ "Ovo Je Balkan"
Sounds more like an Indian song than a Balkan song. The song is below par, and more to be valued for the dance routine than the song.
Song 8: BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - Vukašin Brajiæ "Thunder And Lightning"
A rock song with the gimmick of flashing lights to resemble lightning. Nauseating trash really. Stick with a a ballad sung in Bosinan, such as "Laila" in 2006. I hope this doesn't go through.
Song 9: POLAND - Marcin Mroziñski "Legenda"
Powerful start, then quiet, followed by a rollercoaster ride of powerful and quiet. Became a cacophany at times. What's the significance of the apples at the start? Not one I'd particularly expect to see Saturday.
Song 10: BELGIUM - Tom Dice "Me And My Guitar"
Sort of Neil Diamond style. Nice ballad, but not sure his voice is strong enough to qualify.
Song 11: MALTA - Thea Garrett "My Dream"
A female soloist performing a ballad, typical for Malta. Better than Belgium, it ought to qualify.
Song 12: ALBANIA - Juliana Pasha "It's All About You"
A much livelier power ballad. The first song on CD 1 of the ESC 2010 album, which I wasn't overly keen on, but it's better live. A Shania Twain song, reminiscent of her "Mens' Shirts Short Skirts" song. Not one of my favourites, but ought to qualify as it's better than some.
Song 13: GREECE - Giorgos Alkaios & Friends "OPA"
A powerful lead voice and beat, with good dance routine. Definitely ought to qualify.
Song 14: PORTUGAL - Filipa Azevedo "Há Dias Assim"
Another ballad from a female soloist, with a pianist on the grand piano. In other words, the same formula as "My Time" last year, but somewhat flat by comparison. Questionable whether or not this should qualify.
Song 15: F.Y.R. MACEDONIA - Gjoko Taneski "Jas Ja Imam Silata"
What a mixed bag, a ballad which becomes a power ballad with a bit of rap in the middle eight. Not one that deserves to qualify.
Song 16: BELARUS - 3+2 "Butterflies"
A good group ballad, but not sure it's strong enough vocally. The best bit is the gimmick of the butterfly wings near the end. Questionable.
Song 17: ICELAND - Hera Björk "Je Ne Sais Quoi"
I particularly liked this in Iceland's national final (which I watched online), and one of the better songs on the ESC 2010 album. A first class performance tonight. Catchy chours with French included, extra Brownie points from French speaking countries Saturday night. See you Saturday, I'll be gutted if you don't go through.
Well what a selection of songs. A few have followed in the formulae of last year's top five:
Finland have tried to resemble Norway's song from 2009.
Portugal have tried to resemble UK's song from 2009.
Greece have stuck with their formula from last year.
My preferences: Moldova, Slovakia, Finland, Malta, Albania, Greece, Belarus, Iceland; plus two out of Estonia, Poland, Belgium and Portugal.
Had the UK been voting last night, I'd have voted for Iceland.
Here are the notes I made about each song during its performance yesterday evening. Please read this as if I'd posted it during the interval.
Song 1: MOLDOVA - Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira "Run Away"
Introduction somewhat reminiscent of "Money Money Money" by ABBA. A lively ABBAesque song with a bit of Tom Jones' "She's A Lady" thrown in for good measure. Difficult to decide this early whether or not it should qualify.
Song 2: RUSSIA - Peter Nalitch & Friends "Lost And Forgotten"
From a lively dance song to a ballad. Not as good as Dima Bilan's "Believe" two years ago. Lord have mercy that you'll qualify, there's not much hope in seeing you Saturday night.
Song 3: ESTONIA - Malcolm Lincoln "Siren"
A more upbeat ballad, with a bit of dancing. Marginally better than Russia, but not sure this deserves to qualify either.
Song 4: SLOVAKIA - Kristina Pelakova "Horehronie"
One I half liked on the ESC 2010 CD album, and it's much better sung live. The first song tonight that definitely deserves to qualify. A good dance routine which I'd like to copy Saturday night.
Song 5: FINLAND - Kuunkuiskaajat "Työlki Ellää"
A folk song, too dated and folksy for Eurovision? Well I wondered if "Fairytale" was too folksy, and it won last year. It wouldn't be Eurovision without an accordion would it? Great acrobatics, but remember it is a song contest, not an acrobatics contest. Työlki Ellää, I'd like to see you too Saturday.
Song 6: LATVIA - Aisha "What For?"
A female soloist performing a ballad, though there are backing singers for the chorus. Verses a tad dull, chorus livelier but a bit repetitive. I'm not sure this merits qualification.
Song 7: SERBIA - Milan Stankoviæ "Ovo Je Balkan"
Sounds more like an Indian song than a Balkan song. The song is below par, and more to be valued for the dance routine than the song.
Song 8: BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - Vukašin Brajiæ "Thunder And Lightning"
A rock song with the gimmick of flashing lights to resemble lightning. Nauseating trash really. Stick with a a ballad sung in Bosinan, such as "Laila" in 2006. I hope this doesn't go through.
Song 9: POLAND - Marcin Mroziñski "Legenda"
Powerful start, then quiet, followed by a rollercoaster ride of powerful and quiet. Became a cacophany at times. What's the significance of the apples at the start? Not one I'd particularly expect to see Saturday.
Song 10: BELGIUM - Tom Dice "Me And My Guitar"
Sort of Neil Diamond style. Nice ballad, but not sure his voice is strong enough to qualify.
Song 11: MALTA - Thea Garrett "My Dream"
A female soloist performing a ballad, typical for Malta. Better than Belgium, it ought to qualify.
Song 12: ALBANIA - Juliana Pasha "It's All About You"
A much livelier power ballad. The first song on CD 1 of the ESC 2010 album, which I wasn't overly keen on, but it's better live. A Shania Twain song, reminiscent of her "Mens' Shirts Short Skirts" song. Not one of my favourites, but ought to qualify as it's better than some.
Song 13: GREECE - Giorgos Alkaios & Friends "OPA"
A powerful lead voice and beat, with good dance routine. Definitely ought to qualify.
Song 14: PORTUGAL - Filipa Azevedo "Há Dias Assim"
Another ballad from a female soloist, with a pianist on the grand piano. In other words, the same formula as "My Time" last year, but somewhat flat by comparison. Questionable whether or not this should qualify.
Song 15: F.Y.R. MACEDONIA - Gjoko Taneski "Jas Ja Imam Silata"
What a mixed bag, a ballad which becomes a power ballad with a bit of rap in the middle eight. Not one that deserves to qualify.
Song 16: BELARUS - 3+2 "Butterflies"
A good group ballad, but not sure it's strong enough vocally. The best bit is the gimmick of the butterfly wings near the end. Questionable.
Song 17: ICELAND - Hera Björk "Je Ne Sais Quoi"
I particularly liked this in Iceland's national final (which I watched online), and one of the better songs on the ESC 2010 album. A first class performance tonight. Catchy chours with French included, extra Brownie points from French speaking countries Saturday night. See you Saturday, I'll be gutted if you don't go through.
Well what a selection of songs. A few have followed in the formulae of last year's top five:
Finland have tried to resemble Norway's song from 2009.
Portugal have tried to resemble UK's song from 2009.
Greece have stuck with their formula from last year.
My preferences: Moldova, Slovakia, Finland, Malta, Albania, Greece, Belarus, Iceland; plus two out of Estonia, Poland, Belgium and Portugal.
Had the UK been voting last night, I'd have voted for Iceland.
TT
ESC 2010 Semi-Final 1 Results
My preferred qualifiers: Moldova Slovakia, Finland, Malta, Albania , Greece , Belarus , Iceland ; plus two out of Estonia, Poland, Belgium and Portugal .
Actual results: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova , Russia, Greece , Portugal , Belarus , Serbia, Belgium , Albania , Iceland .
Thank heavans Iceland qualified
, I'd have been gutted if they'd not gone through as their song was the best last night. Never mind that it was last out, it's through. Likewise I'm so glad Greece went through. However I was appalled to see Bosnia & Herzegovina first out, I didn't want their nauseating trash in the final. Also I'm annoyed that Russia went through, their song wasn't up to much either. I'm gutted that Slovakia and Finland failed to qualify, both of them were catchy songs with excellent dance routines that I'd have loved to have joined in and copied on Saturday night. They deserved the places taken by Bosnia & Herzegovina and Russia. Serbia wasn't up to much either, it sounded more like an Indian song than a Balkan one. Malta should have had the place undeservedly taken by Serbia. At least five of the eight countries I most wanted to qualify made it to the final, as did two (the maximum I wanted) of my four "in reserve" choices. Of my four reserves, I think the right two went through; Belgium and Portugal were both better than Estonia and Poland.
So will Iceland win on Saturday? It depends who qualifies from tomorrow's semi-final. Those who've already heard all the songs (e.g. online, ESC 2010 CD), who are you expecting to see in tomorrow's semi? At least I'll be able to put up my comments about the songs at the start of the voting tomorrow, and my comments on the result immediately afterwards.
My preferred qualifiers: Moldova Slovakia, Finland, Malta, Albania , Greece , Belarus , Iceland ; plus two out of Estonia, Poland, Belgium and Portugal .
Actual results: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova , Russia, Greece , Portugal , Belarus , Serbia, Belgium , Albania , Iceland .
Thank heavans Iceland qualified
, I'd have been gutted if they'd not gone through as their song was the best last night. Never mind that it was last out, it's through. Likewise I'm so glad Greece went through. However I was appalled to see Bosnia & Herzegovina first out, I didn't want their nauseating trash in the final. Also I'm annoyed that Russia went through, their song wasn't up to much either. I'm gutted that Slovakia and Finland failed to qualify, both of them were catchy songs with excellent dance routines that I'd have loved to have joined in and copied on Saturday night. They deserved the places taken by Bosnia & Herzegovina and Russia. Serbia wasn't up to much either, it sounded more like an Indian song than a Balkan one. Malta should have had the place undeservedly taken by Serbia. At least five of the eight countries I most wanted to qualify made it to the final, as did two (the maximum I wanted) of my four "in reserve" choices. Of my four reserves, I think the right two went through; Belgium and Portugal were both better than Estonia and Poland.
So will Iceland win on Saturday? It depends who qualifies from tomorrow's semi-final. Those who've already heard all the songs (e.g. online, ESC 2010 CD), who are you expecting to see in tomorrow's semi? At least I'll be able to put up my comments about the songs at the start of the voting tomorrow, and my comments on the result immediately afterwards.
NG
They do that in Melodifestivalen for the final. I quite like it as you get to see a different side of the artist(s) - nervous, having fun etc. I think that keeping the post card simple allows for this - as you're staying in the arena with this style of post-card, rather than going to and from VT (which is how MF do it - though they use interviews with the artist as their "postcard" and carry on overlaying the audio over the backstage cutaway)
I think the semi-VRness of the card graphics, with a virtual screen locked to the crane worked really nicely though - and very cost-effective.
noggin
Founding member
The postcards and the way they float and form up over the audience with maps and flags is very nice. A shame they're interrupted by the cut-aways to the performer waiting on stage, I don't really get it to be honest
They do that in Melodifestivalen for the final. I quite like it as you get to see a different side of the artist(s) - nervous, having fun etc. I think that keeping the post card simple allows for this - as you're staying in the arena with this style of post-card, rather than going to and from VT (which is how MF do it - though they use interviews with the artist as their "postcard" and carry on overlaying the audio over the backstage cutaway)
I think the semi-VRness of the card graphics, with a virtual screen locked to the crane worked really nicely though - and very cost-effective.
GS
More what they "didn't do" - as the box appeared like that from the host's stream.
Although I'm sure that's what you meant.
Gavin Scott
Founding member
Why did the BBC need to put up that silly message about not voting?
Here is what NRK in Norway did:
http://a.yfrog.com/img85/2615/6oj.jpg
Here is what NRK in Norway did:
http://a.yfrog.com/img85/2615/6oj.jpg
More what they "didn't do" - as the box appeared like that from the host's stream.
Although I'm sure that's what you meant.
BR
SMS voting has been widely discredited in the UK (text votes went missing, didn't arrive before the lines closed etc. as they weren't handled by the normal text messaging routes to avoid network swamping) - though other countries telephony providers may have different infrastructures. Sweden continues to use it for Melodifestivalen.
Most countries use it without a problem, and the UK could if they hadn't rolled over and took the blame for everything back in 2007. Texts arrive late all the time in every day life, and it's the mobile companies who should have taken responsibility - not the broadcasters. You wouldn't blame them if it was a postal vote system and your vote got stuck in the post.
All they need is a simple disclaimer saying "Vote made or received after the lines close will not be counted but may still be charged." Admittedly though for shows with short voting periods it's probably best not to use them anyway - but I think for any show with a longer voting period - like The X Factor or Big Brother, they should be allowed but with text lines closing earlier (as they used too on Big Brother) - though then you have the question over whether any votes received after the text vote closes, but before the phone vote closes, should be counted.
Quote:
Is there a reason that SMS voting is not done in the UK?
SMS voting has been widely discredited in the UK (text votes went missing, didn't arrive before the lines closed etc. as they weren't handled by the normal text messaging routes to avoid network swamping) - though other countries telephony providers may have different infrastructures. Sweden continues to use it for Melodifestivalen.
Most countries use it without a problem, and the UK could if they hadn't rolled over and took the blame for everything back in 2007. Texts arrive late all the time in every day life, and it's the mobile companies who should have taken responsibility - not the broadcasters. You wouldn't blame them if it was a postal vote system and your vote got stuck in the post.
All they need is a simple disclaimer saying "Vote made or received after the lines close will not be counted but may still be charged." Admittedly though for shows with short voting periods it's probably best not to use them anyway - but I think for any show with a longer voting period - like The X Factor or Big Brother, they should be allowed but with text lines closing earlier (as they used too on Big Brother) - though then you have the question over whether any votes received after the text vote closes, but before the phone vote closes, should be counted.
BO
More what they "didn't do" - as the box appeared like that from the host's stream.
Although I'm sure that's what you meant.
Oops, you are indeed correct.
Just for giggles, had a look at Sweden's SVT and they did the following:
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7716/svt.jpg
That message says: "You can not vote from Sweden"
I'm wondering whether this is the right approach? Maybe in future years for the semi-final, to have two feeds? One with voting graphics and one without?
On a slightly different matter, I assume the BBC will cut away early from the final broadcast again due to all the sponsorship logos? This I don't quite understand, as they reference "Telenor Arena" in the broadcast themselves and in football you can see all the adverts at the side of the pitch. Why should Eurovision be any different?
EDIT: I see the BBC must have blocked out the Telenor logo on the graphics last night:
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2608/svt2.jpg
More what they "didn't do" - as the box appeared like that from the host's stream.
Although I'm sure that's what you meant.
Oops, you are indeed correct.
Just for giggles, had a look at Sweden's SVT and they did the following:
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7716/svt.jpg
That message says: "You can not vote from Sweden"
I'm wondering whether this is the right approach? Maybe in future years for the semi-final, to have two feeds? One with voting graphics and one without?
On a slightly different matter, I assume the BBC will cut away early from the final broadcast again due to all the sponsorship logos? This I don't quite understand, as they reference "Telenor Arena" in the broadcast themselves and in football you can see all the adverts at the side of the pitch. Why should Eurovision be any different?
EDIT: I see the BBC must have blocked out the Telenor logo on the graphics last night:
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2608/svt2.jpg