Open letter to the EBU
Dear Mr. Sand,
For many years, the Eurovision Song Contest has entertained millions upon millions of viewers across Europe and now the world. Bringing European countries together to celebrate European music is no mean feat, but year upon year, you manage to put out a show to enthral us.
Criticism over "political" or "neighbourly" voting increased year upon year as more and more Eastern European countries joined the contest on the break up of their countries. Eurovision became synonymous with bad voting influencing the result and many countries criticised you for it. I, myself, feel that Eurovision wouldn't be the same without some of the "neighbourly" voting and have grown up to love the voting and the show.
However, to the EBU's credit, you then decided to tackle it and changed the voting system in the semi-finals and introduced 50% professional jury votes for all. These changes were welcome and people started believing in Eurovision again.
However, in a step I can only see as being a money making scheme, for the last two years, you have decided to open the voting at the start of the shows. Why? Shouldn't we not be voting for a good song and good performance? How can that happen if people are allowed to vote before all the songs have been performed?
By allowing this, you are allowing people to vote for the countries they like, regardless of their song or performance and this is WRONG!
Please turn the Eurovision Song Contest back into what it was intended to be.... A SONG CONTEST!
Thank you,
Colin Acton
For many years, the Eurovision Song Contest has entertained millions upon millions of viewers across Europe and now the world. Bringing European countries together to celebrate European music is no mean feat, but year upon year, you manage to put out a show to enthral us.
Criticism over "political" or "neighbourly" voting increased year upon year as more and more Eastern European countries joined the contest on the break up of their countries. Eurovision became synonymous with bad voting influencing the result and many countries criticised you for it. I, myself, feel that Eurovision wouldn't be the same without some of the "neighbourly" voting and have grown up to love the voting and the show.
However, to the EBU's credit, you then decided to tackle it and changed the voting system in the semi-finals and introduced 50% professional jury votes for all. These changes were welcome and people started believing in Eurovision again.
However, in a step I can only see as being a money making scheme, for the last two years, you have decided to open the voting at the start of the shows. Why? Shouldn't we not be voting for a good song and good performance? How can that happen if people are allowed to vote before all the songs have been performed?
By allowing this, you are allowing people to vote for the countries they like, regardless of their song or performance and this is WRONG!
Please turn the Eurovision Song Contest back into what it was intended to be.... A SONG CONTEST!
Thank you,
Colin Acton
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