A total of five countries have not had to go through the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1996 – they were allowed to prove themselves directly in the Grand Final. These are the so-called Big Five, specifically Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Great Britain. But why is that actually the case?
On the one hand, the reason is financial: the Big Five are the ESC’s largest donors. These countries have so far paid the most into the European Broadcasting Union (and therefore the ESC). And the other reason for the direct placements: They have been proven to ensure the highest ratings on the final night.
This is how the Big Five regulation came about in 1966
The Norwegian television “NRK” called for this type of regulation in 1996 because Germany was unable to qualify for the big evening in the internal preliminary round. The sponsors recruited by Norwegian television subsequently complained about the lack of spectators at the final and so planned income could not be generated – a big hole was created in the ESC wallet. That’s exactly how it went when France, Italy, Spain and Great Britain had to withdraw from the contest earlier than expected. And this despite the fact that the countries broadcast the event on TV without their own candidates in the final.
Without the participation of the Big Five in the main show, there was such a noticeable drop in viewership that people looked at how this could be counteracted. And ultimately it turned out to be a question of money.
Finalists must now still appear in the semi-finals
This year, however, the host country Sweden has made a rule change or adjustment. The Swedish television company “SVT” announced: The Big Five and Sweden will have to appear live in the two semi-finals in full for the first time in 2024.
This means that Germany, Sweden and the British will be seen alongside the competition in the first semi-final on May 7th. In the second semi-final, on May 9th, France, Italy and Spain will be on full display. This doesn’t change the fact that the five countries have already secured their place in the final, but there is more for the audience to see.
“We believe that this change gives the Big Five and the host country more chances in the grand final, as they now have the opportunity to actually be on stage in the semi-finals,” ESC manager Ebba Adielsson explains the innovation the website of the music competition. “It is also a win for the audience in the arena and for those watching at home as they will be able to see all the artists competing this year live before the grand finale.”