Eurovision 2012 - 22/24/26 May 2012

Our entry is 1st ?

Has a song that went 1st ever won ? It will be long forgotten by the end.

Yes...the UK has in fact. In 1976, Brotherhood of Man were first in the running order and won...in fact that's the most sold Eurovision winner ever - shifting 6 million copies. I think it also broke the record for the most amount of 12's, a record which remained in tact for a long time (all those records have been smashed since 2004 when all participating nations, not just performing nations, started voting).

A year before, the Netherlands won after performing first as well.

I think 1984 was the last time a song placed first won. It is a different contest now of course, but it's not an unachievable task.

What makes a win even more unlikely is the fact that it's a ballad in amongst all the other ballads that have been entered this year.

I think I'm quoted in this forum, and on the BBC's Facebook page, that we needed to enter an upbeat song this year! When a slow love song wins, countries tend to pile in similar songs the following year. So far, that has happened in 2012. I wouldn't be surprised if an upbeat song wins in Baku.

UK first to perform in the final? Well someone has to be the first to perform. That could be lucky, the UK won the 1976 Contest by being first to perform "Save Your Kisses For Me" - Brotherhood of Man

Just over a month to go and the hosts have been announced- looks like they're sticking with the 3 host format of the past 3 years.

The male host is Eldar Gasimov- half of the winning duo from last year and he's accompanied by Nargiz and Leyla, who we've seen earlier this year hosting the running order draws.

http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=51763&_t=eldar_nargiz_leyla_to_host_eurovision_2012

They told me (back in 19th March) that there would be one this year, but now, according to this site:
http://esc2012.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/14147219-upd-no-blu-ray-of-eurovision-2012-coming
the Eurovision shop has said "Hereby we can inform you that we have been informed that there will not be produced a Blu-Ray this year of the contest of 2012."

For those interested - SVT do a 4 part panel show on Eurovision called 'Inför Eurovision'. It's available at svt.se/play outside of Sweden. It's in Swedish obviously - but good to see them do a preview show with panel discussion - and a good panel at that. (Reminded me of the good old days of Liquid Eurovision and Eurovision... A Little Bit More on BBC Three)

Hmm - wonder if, although it sold out, it cost too much to produce? (I've noticed a number of European TV series that previously were available on Blu-ray aren't doing newer series on the format. Borgen 1 was on Blu-ray, but 2 isn't for instance. )

Was always dubious it would be viable economically (though very grateful to have last year's).

Have to make sure I get a decent off-air recording from as many European HD broadcasters as possible!

** EDIT : So Sietse confirms it wasn't a healthy commercial success. Maybe it only sold out in the UK and retailers were left with stock elsewhere? Blu-ray isn't that huge in some European countries **

Can confirm no BR ... Have it from Sietse Bakker - Event Supervisor at Eurovision Song Contest

from ……..

SIETSE BAKKER ON TWITTER
02-May-2012 @ 18:53

The Crystal Hall is finished, the stage is set, ready for rehearses tomorrow.
And as I said, the 'green room' is infront of the stage.

http://www.eurovision.tv/page/multimedia/photos?gal=54753

Am I the only one who instantly thought of London 2012 when seeing the set design? It looks lovely, much better than the previous stage layouts.

.... NO HD Semifinals in the UK this year.