Eurovision 2018

Do international broadcasters usually geo-block the Contest being streamed on their own respective websites? Trying to watch it via SBS but it's blocked due to 'Publishing Rights'. Yet, Een from Belgium and NPO from The Netherlands have no such geo-block.

France.tv is also geoblocking their stream on France 4.

I'm currently enjoying the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 Second Semi-Final on BBC Four. All 18 songs have been performed, and the voting lines have just closed. Here are my preferences based solely on all of tonight's performances:

Definitely want to qualify: Norway, Denmark, Australia, Poland, Malta, Montenegro
Wouldn't mind qualifying: Romania, Serbia, Russia, The Netherlands, Georgia, Latvia, Ukraine
Prefer not to qualify: San Marino, Moldova, Sweden
Definitely don't want to qualify: Hungary, Slovenia

So these are the ones I want to see Saturday night: Norway, Denmark, Australia, Poland, Malta, Montenegro, plus four of Romania, Serbia, Russia, The Netherlands, Georgia, Latvia, Ukraine.

Had the UK been voting in this semi-final, I would have voted for Norway, Denmark, Australia, Poland and Montenegro.

My opinions on the songs are available here:
http://nemesis-nick.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/eurovision-song-contest-2018-second.html

A Chinese broadcaster is now banned by the EBU from broadcasting The Eurovision Song Contest. They're banned because they censored gay themes from broadcast platforms while Eurovision was showing Ireland's & Albania's entries on Tuesday night. Chinese Broadcasting authorities have restrictive rules on same-sex relationships, incest, sexual assault, abuse & perversion in their broadcasts.

https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/irelands-eurovision-dancers-grab-headlines-as-china-censors-performance-36892827.html

https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/eurovision-terminates-contract-with-chinese-broadcaster-after-failure-to-broadcast-gay-irish-performance-36895120.html

The lucky ten from tonight:

Serbia
Moldova
Hungary
Ukraine
Sweden
Australia
Norway
Denmark
Slovenia
Netherlands

Shock horror, but Russia are out!

I wonder if this will have any impact on their ability or willingness to take part in Eurovision Asia.

Also enjoyed the the video on the link.

I think the rules are different for non full EBU members.

Not too bad I thought; I'm shocked that Sweden got in with that Bieber entry. The lucky feckers. I thought it would have been dumped.

Rybak in for Norway is no surprise there.

Although Russia being out is a big shock considering their own Eurovision status.

I'm happy that Hungary & Australia got through for Saturday though.

I only heard about China being banned from Eurovision Song Contest earlier tonight. Very good decision there from the EBU.

Presentation wise, Rylan is a great presenter when he calms down. Professional on the live interview inserts, linking from and to the previous and next item perfectly. Flow better than Scott, Mel, and all who have presented the semis previously

Eurovision Song Contest 2018 Second Semi-Final Results
Here are the results, which were announced in a random order at 22:06 BST.

My desired qualifiers: Norway , Denmark , Australia , Poland, Malta, Montenegro, plus four of Romania, Serbia , Russia, The Netherlands , Georgia, Latvia, Ukraine .

Actual qualifiers (in order of announcement): Serbia , Moldova, Hungary, Ukraine , Sweden, Australia , Norway , Denmark , Slovenia, The Netherlands .

Bold entries represent the actual qualifiers that match my preferences.

OUT: Romania, San Marino, Russia, Georgia, Poland, Malta, Latvia, Montenegro.

My points of view about the countries that qualified to Saturday's Grand Final, and those which were eliminated, are available here:
http://nemesis-nick.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/eurovision-song-contest-2018-second.html#ESC2018_SF2_results

Grand final running order:



Pretty good placing for the U.K.

And the legendary Song 9 to boot.