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The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was hosted by Serbia. The semi-finals were held on 20 May and 22 May, and the final was held on 24 May 2008 in the capital, Belgrademarker. Russia was declared the winner, with Jim Beanz and Dima Bilan's song "Believe" performed by Bilan. The Belgrade Arenamarker, venue for the Contest, is among the largest indoor arenas in Europe, with a total capacity of more than 20,000 seats. Serbia gained the right to host the Contest after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinkimarker, Finlandmarker. The host broadcaster was RTS.

The 2008 contest's official website opened on 15 January 2008. For the first time ever, Eurovision.tv streamed national finals on ESCTV with broadcasters' permission. On 30 January 2008, Eurovision.tv revealed the theme of the Contest: "The Confluence of Sound", inspired by Belgrade's location at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The show was hosted by Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović. Jelena Tomašević represented Serbia with a song composed by Joksimović; this led to debate over his role in the contest.

Venue

Serbia gained the right to host the Contest after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinkimarker, Finlandmarker. Since Serbia was the winner of the preceding contest, the 2008 contest was subsequently held there. The Belgrade Arenamarker was chosen as the venue for the contest, and is among the largest indoor arenas in Europe, with a total capacity of more than 20,000 seats. On 14 September 2007, the Mayor of Helsinki handed over the "Eurovision keys" to the Deputy of Belgrade. This ceremony is meant to be a tradition from the 2008 contest and onward, and the ring contains a key from every city that has ever hosted the competition.

Due to problems and riots in Belgrade following the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovomarker on 22 February 2008, the EBU held a phone conference to decide if the contest should be moved to a different country. Ukraine was considered an option since they came second in Eurovision Song Contest 2007. YLE were another option, as they hosted the previous year's competition in Helsinkimarker, Finlandmarker. Greece's Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi (ERT) also offered the EBU to host the contest in Athensmarker, Greecemarker again. It was later decided that the contest would stay in Belgrade, with the EBU giving support. RTS would gain a guarantee of safety and security from the government of Serbia for all visitors and participants of the contest. The delegations of Albaniamarker, Croatiamarker and Israelmarker had special security.

Visual design

RTS ran a competition that led to the creation of the 2008 Contest's branding, logo and the stage. The theme of the Contest was based around the "confluence of sound". This was symbolic as Belgrade lies on the confluence of two European rivers, the Sava and Danube. The logo chosen, a treble clef, formed the graphical basis of the design created by Boris Miljković.

The postcards in the first and second semi-final were based around the creation of the flag of the nation that was to perform next. Each post card had a short story related to it regarding Belgrade and its people. During each postcard a short letter written by the musician of the upcoming performing country was displayed. All were in the national language of the artist’s country, with the exception of the Serbian postcard, which consisted of "Welcome to Belgrade" and "Welcome to Serbia" in various languages, and the Belgian postcard, which was written in the same made-up language as their entry. The postcards were brought to an end by a stamp with this year's Eurovision logo.
A "postcard" introducing Sweden.


According to RTS the stage represented native identities, history and modern themes, symbols and universally recognised messages. The confluence-themed stage also contained a large number of television and LCD display screens. The stage had settings for all new electronic possibilities including some movable parts of the stage. It was designed by Chicago-based David Cushing.

The first semi-final was created around a city theme. The contest opened with a panorama of the city of Belgrade forming in the stage's background with two waves sliding down the stage to meet in the centre - at the confluence, the overall theme of the contest.

The second semi-final was based around the theme of water, which was enhanced by the look of the stage during the interval act where the water formed the main colours of the stage.

The final was based on the theme of the confluence. Construction of the stage lasted several days and was carried out by various teams from across Europe. Pyrotechnics were heavily used for the entries from Armeniamarker, Bosnia and Herzegovinamarker, Finlandmarker, Germanymarker, Turkeymarker, the Czech Republicmarker, Bulgariamarker, Switzerlandmarker. The stage received positive feedback from the media and fans describing it as "one of the best looking stages in the history of the competition".

Format

At a press conference in Helsinki in May 2007, Svante Stockselius, executive supervisor of the Contest for the EBU, announced that the competition's format may be expanded to two semi-finals in 2008 or 2009. On 28 September 2007 it was announced that the EBU had approved the plan of hosting two semi-finals in 2008.

Based on research conducted by the EBU's tele-voting partner Digame, the semi-finalists were sorted into the two heats through the drawing of lots, which was seeded to keep countries that have a significant history of voting for each other apart. Each broadcaster had to broadcast the semi-final in which they took part, with the broadcasting of the other semi-final being optional. The draw for the semi-final allocation occurred in the Belgrade City Hall on Monday 28 January 2008 at 13:00 CET and was conducted by dancers from the National Dance Ensemble KOLO. First, two envelopes with 'Semi-Final 1' and 'Semi-Final 2' were drawn. Then, three countries from each pot were chosen randomly to take part in the first semi-final and the other three in the second one. The country left in Pot 5 took part in the first envelope that is drawn. While, the country left in Pot 6 in the second one.

The automatic finalist countries chose whether they would broadcast both semi-finals or just one, but viewers from these countries could only vote in one. From the draw conducted, it was decided which of the five finalist countries would broadcast and have voting rights in either of the events. The semi-finals were webcast live through Eurovision.tv. The top nine songs from the televoting qualified for the final, and a tenth was determined by the back-up juries. Twenty-five songs competed in the final.

Semi-final allocation

On 24 January 2008, all 38 countries in the semi-finals were separated into the following pots based on voting history and geographical location:

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3
Pot 4 Pot 5 Pot 6


Running order

The draw to decide the running order of the songs in each Semi-Final and the Final was conducted at the Heads of Delegation meeting on 17 March 2008.

Participating countries

On 21 December 2007, the EBU confirmed that 43 countries would be present in Belgrade. San Marino, as well as the newest EBU member, Azerbaijan, made its debut at the 2008 contest. Austria did not compete; its broadcaster, ORF, said "we've already seen in 2007 that it's not the quality of the song, but the country of origin that determines the decision." Italy, which has not competed since 1997, and which would have been an automatic finalist, was again absent. Slovakia was absent due to budget problems.

The following countries competed in two semi-finals which were broadcast live on Tuesday 20 May and Thursday 22 May 2008. In addition to this, automatic finalists Germanymarker and Spainmarker exercised voting rights at the first semi-final. Francemarker, the United Kingdommarker and Serbia exercised voting rights at the second semi-final. Spain and France each broadcast only the semi-final in which they participated; Germany, Serbia and the UK screened both semi-finals (but the first did it in a delay).

Results

Semi-final 1

  • The first semi-final was held on 20 May 2008.
  • Peach indicates countries which qualified for the final.
  • Flax denotes the entry chosen by the jury to go to the final.


Draw Country Language Artist Song English translation Place Points
01 Montenegrin Stefan Filipović "Zauvijek volim te" I love you forever 14 23
02 Hebrew, English Boaz Ma'uda "The Fire in Your Eyes" - 5 104
03 Serbian, German, Finnish Kreisiraadio "Leto svet" Summer light 18 8
04 English Geta Burlacu "A Century of Love" - 12 36
05 Italian Miodio "Complice" Accomplice 19 5
06 Imaginary Ishtar "O Julissi" - 17 16
07 English Elnur and Samir "Day After Day" - 6 96
08 English, Slovene Rebeka Dremelj "Vrag naj vzame" To hell with it 11 36
09 English Maria Haukaas Storeng "Hold On Be Strong" - 4 106
10 English Isis Gee "For Life" - 10 42
11 English [A] Dustin the Turkey "Irelande Douze Pointe" Ireland, twelve points 15 22
12 English, Catalan Gisela "Casanova" - 16 22
13 Bosnian Laka "Pokušaj" Try 9 72
14 English, Armenian Sirusho "Qélé, Qélé" (Քելե Քելե) Come on, come on 2 139
15 English Hind "Your Heart Belongs to Me" - 13 27
16 Finnish Teräsbetoni "Missä miehet ratsastaa" Where men ride 8 79
17 Romanian, Italian Nico and Vlad "Pe-o margine de lume" On an edge of the world 7 94
18 English Dima Bilan "Believe" - 3 135
19 English Kalomira "Secret Combination" - 1 156


Semi-final 2

  • The second semi-final was held on 22 May 2008
  • Peach indicates countries which qualified for the final
  • Flax denotes the entry chosen by the jury to go to the final


Draw Country Language Artist Song English translation Place Points
01 English Euroband "This Is My Life" - 8 68
02 English Charlotte Perrelli "Hero" - 12 54
03 Turkish Mor ve Ötesi "Deli" Crazy 7 85
04 English Ani Lorak "Shady Lady" - 1 152
05 English Jeronimas Milius "Nomads in the Night" - 16 30
06 Albanian Olta Boka "Zemrën e lamë peng" Hearts trapped in time 9 67
07 Italian Paolo Meneguzzi "Era stupendo" It was wonderful 13 47
08 English Tereza Kerndlová "Have Some Fun" - 18 9
09 English [B] Ruslan Alekhno "Hasta la Vista" See You Soon 17 27
10 English Pirates of the Sea "Wolves of the Sea" - 6 86
11 Croatian Kraljevi Ulice and 75 cents "Romanca" Romance 4 112
12 English Deep Zone and Balthazar "DJ, Take Me Away" - 11 56
13 English Simon Mathew "All Night Long" - 3 112
14 English Diana Gurtskaya "Peace Will Come" - 5 107
15 English, Hungarian Csézy "Candlelight" - 19 6
16 English [C] Morena "Vodka" - 14 38
17 Greek Evdokia Kadi "Femme Fatale" Fatal woman 15 36
18 English Tamara, Vrčak and Adrijan "Let Me Love You" - 10 64
19 Portuguese Vânia Fernandes "Senhora do mar " Lady of the sea (Dark Waters) 2 120


Final

The finalists were:
  • the big four Francemarker, Germanymarker, Spainmarker and the United Kingdommarker
  • the host country Serbiamarker
  • the top nine countries from the first semi-final plus one wildcard from the juries (marked in flax)
  • the top nine countries from the second semi-final plus one wildcard from the juries (marked in flax)


The final was held on 24 May 2008 and was won by Russia. Russia's victory was questioned later in May by officials from Ukrainemarker, whose representative was the runner-up.

Draw Country Language Artist Song English translation Place Points
01 Romanian, Italian Nico and Vlad "Pe-o margine de lume" On an edge of the world 20 45
02 English Andy Abraham "Even If" - 25 [D] 14
03 Albanian Olta Boka "Zemrën e lamë peng" Hearts trapped in time 17 55
04 English No Angels "Disappear" - 23 [D] 14
05 English, Armenian Sirusho "Qélé, Qélé" (Քելե Քելե) Come on, come on 4 199
06 Bosnian Laka "Pokušaj" Try 10 110
07 Hebrew, English Boaz Ma'uda "The Fire in Your Eyes" - 9 124
08 Finnish Teräsbetoni "Missä miehet ratsastaa" Where men ride 22 35
09 Croatian Kraljevi Ulice and 75 cents "Romanca" Romance 21 44
10 English Isis Gee "For Life" - 24 [D] 14
11 English Euroband "This is My Life" - 14 64
12 Turkish Mor ve Ötesi "Deli" Crazy 7 138
13 Portuguese Vânia Fernandes "Senhora do mar " Lady of the sea (Dark waters) 13 69
14 English Pirates of the Sea "Wolves of the Sea" - 12 83
15 English Charlotte Perrelli "Hero" - 18 47
16 English Simon Mathew "All Night Long" - 15 60
17 English Diana Gurtskaya "Peace Will Come" - 11 83
18 English Ani Lorak "Shady Lady" - 2 230
19 English, French Sébastien Tellier "Divine" - 19 47
20 English Elnur and Samir "Day After Day" - 8 132
21 English Kalomira "Secret Combination" - 3 218
22 Spanish, English Rodolfo Chikilicuatre "Baila el Chiki-chiki" Dance the Chiki-chiki 16 55
23 Serbian Jelena Tomašević "Oro" (Оро) Hora 6 160
24 English Dima Bilan "Believe" - 1 272
25 English Maria Haukaas Storeng "Hold On Be Strong" - 5 182


Voting during the final

Countries revealed their votes in the following order:







    1. Scoreboards

      Semi-final 1

      Televoting Results
      Montenegro 23 0 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Israel 104 5 0 0 2 7 10 4 10 4 0 7 5 7 6 10 6 8 5 4 4
      Estonia 8 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
      Moldova 36 0 0 0 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 0 10 5 4 0 0
      San Marino 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
      Belgium 16 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Azerbaijan 96 3 5 4 10 0 5 0 0 10 5 8 3 2 4 5 7 10 7 8 0
      Slovenia 36 10 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 10 4 0 0 1 2 2 0 0
      Norway 106 4 6 8 3 7 1 7 2 7 8 10 4 8 5 12 4 7 0 1 2
      Poland 42 0 0 0 0 10 0 3 0 2 12 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 1 5 3
      Ireland 22 1 3 7 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1
      Andorra 22 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
      Bosnia and Herzegovina 72 12 0 1 6 0 0 4 12 12 0 3 0 0 7 8 0 0 0 7 0
      Armenia 139 6 10 2 5 8 12 0 5 3 12 2 3 6 12 4 5 12 12 10 10
      Netherlands 27 0 1 0 0 3 8 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0
      Finland 79 2 0 12 8 4 2 0 3 6 5 6 12 1 0 0 0 4 6 2 6
      Romania 94 0 8 0 12 6 6 6 6 5 3 7 6 0 5 3 1 1 8 3 8
      Russia 135 8 12 10 7 0 3 8 7 8 8 4 4 7 12 2 6 8 10 6 5
      Greece 156 7 7 5 4 12 10 12 8 4 6 10 5 8 10 8 3 12 6 12 7


      Semi-final 2

      Televoting Results
      Iceland 68 10 3 1 2 5 4 0 1 2 0 0 10 0 7 5 1 0 5 8 0 4
      Sweden 54 8 2 0 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 1 7 4 0 3 1 3 6
      Turkey 85 0 6 5 0 12 7 0 3 0 0 7 8 5 4 0 0 8 0 10 0 10
      Ukraine 152 6 3 12 7 0 1 12 12 6 7 12 7 12 8 8 10 6 12 3 8 0
      Lithuania 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
      Albania 67 1 7 8 3 0 10 1 5 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2 5 0 3
      Switzerland 47 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 5 0 5 0 0 12 7 1 0 7 0 0
      Czech Republic 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0
      Belarus 27 0 0 0 10 6 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
      Latvia 86 7 8 0 2 12 0 0 5 6 6 1 6 6 0 6 0 4 10 0 2 5
      Croatia 112 4 4 5 7 5 3 6 3 7 7 6 3 8 10 0 6 10 6 2 10 0
      Bulgaria 56 5 0 6 6 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 3 2 8 7 1 6 5 0
      Denmark 112 12 12 0 4 8 4 5 10 4 8 3 2 3 12 4 5 3 8 4 0 1
      Georgia 107 2 1 10 12 10 0 0 8 10 10 0 4 0 2 10 12 2 7 0 7 0
      Hungary 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
      Malta 38 3 0 0 0 0 8 0 6 0 4 4 3 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2
      Cyprus 36 0 0 4 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 8 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 1 12
      Macedonia 64 0 2 7 0 0 7 8 4 0 0 12 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
      Portugal 120 10 5 0 8 4 6 12 7 8 3 8 5 0 7 6 3 3 0 12 6 7


      Final

      Televoting Results
      Romania 45 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 12 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
      United Kingdom 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Albania 55 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 4 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
      Germany 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 0 0
      Armenia 199 4 0 2 6 6 8 0 0 12 1 10 0 0 2 0 12 7 12 0 12 10 5 12 0 1 0 2 8 12 5 0 0 12 0 0 12 7 8 0 0 10 1
      Bosnia and Herzegovina 110 0 0 0 5 0 0 6 12 0 0 6 0 0 10 2 0 0 2 3 0 0 12 0 10 10 0 0 0 0 10 2 0 7 0 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 5
      Israel 124 6 0 4 3 6 5 8 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 6 7 1 0 7 6 3 5 0 6 10 5 3 0 0 3 3 1 0 4 2 3 0 2 0
      Finland 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 0 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Croatia 44 1 0 0 2 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
      Poland 14 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Iceland 64 0 6 0 0 0 0 4 7 0 0 0 7 2 8 12 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0
      Turkey 138 8 8 10 10 0 8 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 4 10 12 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 4 10 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 3 5 5 0 0 7
      Portugal 69 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 3 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 8 0 0 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 0 0 10 5 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Latvia 83 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 8 3 6 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 7 0 0 0 0 12 2 0 10 0 3 0 0 0 7 0 0
      Sweden 47 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 1 0
      Denmark 60 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 5 7 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 4 0 0
      Georgia 83 0 0 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 1 8 0 0 8 0 4 4 0 0 7 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 4 6 0 0 5 7 0
      Ukraine 230 3 5 8 0 5 3 10 3 7 10 5 8 12 10 0 7 10 0 10 6 7 6 8 0 4 4 7 0 1 2 6 6 0 6 0 8 10 7 6 10 6 4
      France 47 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 1 8 0 0 3 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      Azerbaijan 132 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 12 0 4 0 0 7 10 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 0 8 0 7 1 0 7 2 7 0 10 8 3 12 0 0 8
      Greece 218 12 12 12 12 8 7 5 0 5 3 0 7 0 0 1 3 4 2 3 6 3 8 3 0 6 1 4 12 8 6 4 8 6 0 5 5 2 10 8 2 12 3
      Spain 55 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 10 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 12 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
      Serbia 160 7 0 5 8 3 12 0 0 10 4 2 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 7 2 5 0 4 6 12 0 1 0 0 12 0 0 8 0 12 6 1 4 7 1 5 10
      Russia 272 10 0 6 7 12 4 12 10 6 6 0 5 6 12 0 0 8 12 1 8 7 5 10 5 8 12 10 0 3 7 5 5 1 12 0 7 12 6 10 8 8 6
      Norway 182 5 7 7 0 7 2 7 12 1 8 10 2 2 6 12 10 5 6 0 5 2 6 4 5 0 8 5 7 2 0 7 1 4 4 0 0 5 1 4 3 0 0
      The table is ordered by appearance in the final, then by appearance in the semi-finals.


      12 points

      Below is a summary of all 12 points in the final:

      N. Recipient nation Voting nation
      8 Armeniamarker Belgiummarker, Czech Republicmarker, Francemarker, Georgiamarker, Greecemarker, Netherlandsmarker, Polandmarker, Russiamarker
      7 Russiamarker Armeniamarker, Belarusmarker, Estoniamarker, Israelmarker, Latviamarker, Lithuaniamarker, Ukrainemarker
      6 Greecemarker Albaniamarker, Cyprusmarker, Germanymarker, Romaniamarker, San Marinomarker, United Kingdommarker
      4 Serbiamarker Bosnia and Herzegovinamarker, Montenegromarker, Sloveniamarker, Switzerlandmarker
      2 Azerbaijanmarker Hungarymarker, Turkeymarker
      Bosnia and Herzegovinamarker Croatiamarker, Serbiamarker
      Denmarkmarker Icelandmarker, Norwaymarker
      Norwaymarker Finlandmarker, Swedenmarker
      Romaniamarker Moldovamarker, Spainmarker
      1 Albaniamarker Macedoniamarker
      Germanymarker Bulgariamarker
      Icelandmarker Denmarkmarker
      Latviamarker Irelandmarker
      Spainmarker Andorramarker
      Swedenmarker Maltamarker
      Turkeymarker Azerbaijanmarker
      Ukrainemarker Portugalmarker


      Broadcasting

      Semi-finals broadcasts

      Belgrade Arena, the 2008 venue.
      As stated above, a country only has to broadcast the final and the semi-final when it is one of the competitors or voters. The United Kingdommarker, San Marinomarker, Greecemarker, Croatiamarker, Irelandmarker, Germanymarker, the Netherlandsmarker, Norwaymarker, Maltamarker, Serbia, Finlandmarker, Bosnia and Herzegovinamarker, Denmarkmarker, Portugalmarker, Cyprusmarker, Israelmarker, Estoniamarker, Turkeymarker, Latviamarker, Sloveniamarker, Russiamarker, Ukrainemarker, Lithuaniamarker, the Czech Republicmarker, Andorramarker, Albaniamarker, Bulgariamarker, Icelandmarker, Swedenmarker, Romaniamarker and Australia confirmed they would broadcast both semi-finals (some in delay and some live).

      International broadcasts

      : Although Australia is not eligible to enter, the contest was broadcast on SBS. The first semi-final was broadcast on Friday 23 May at 19:30 local time, with the second semi-final on Saturday 24 May 2008 at 19:30 local time, and the Final on Sunday 25 May 2008 at 19:30 local time, amongst a weekend of Eurovision-themed programming. SBS local host, Julia Zemiro, provided introductory and concluding segments with SBS otherwise broadcasting the BBC's coverage and commentary. In recent years the contest has been one of SBS's highest-rating programmes in terms of viewer numbers. The final rated well for SBS with 427,000 viewers tuning in for the final with 421,000 for the second semi-final and 272,000 for the first semi-final.


      In Austria, ORF broadcast the contest live and received extremely high TV ratings, despite its withdrawal. However, it did not broadcast the semifinals on 20 and 22 May, though Austrians were able to watch these on German television via ARD.
      No Italian broadcaster proper showed the contest, but San Marinese SMRTV, which broadcast live the full event on both TV and radio, is available in some parts of Italy
      Worldwide
      A live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest was available worldwide via satellite through European streams such as TVRi, ERT World, ARMTV, TVE Internacional, TRT International, TVP Polonia, RTP Internacional, RTS Sat and SVT Europa. The [http


      High-definition broadcasts

      RTS broadcast the event in 1080i high-definition (HD) and 5.1 Surround Sound. The new high-definition television system was in place at the Belgrade Arenamarker by April 2008. This is the second year that the event was broadcast live in HD. BBC HD broadcast the contest in High Definition in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Swedish broadcaster SVT broadcast both the semi-final and the final on their HD-channel SVT HD. Lithuanian broadcaster LRT broadcast both the semi-final and the final in 1080i high-definition (HD) on their channel LTV. The same occurred on Swiss HD channel HD suisse; on this channel viewers were able to choose the language of the commentary while viewing a semi-final or final of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, all other countries broadcast the show only in standard definition, and the event will only be available to buy on a standard-definition DVD; it will not be released on Blu-ray Disc.

      Returning artists

      Artist Country Previous year(s)
      Charlotte Perrelli Sweden 1999
      Dima Bilan Russia 2006
      Roberto Meloni (part of Pirates of the Sea) Latvia 2007 (part of Bonaparti.lv)


      Commentators



      Spokespersons



      Gallery

      Image:Albania, Olta Boka, semi-final, Eurovision 2008.jpg|Olta Boka performing "Zemrën e lamë peng" for AlbaniamarkerImage:Gisela Eurovision Andorra 2008.jpg|Gisela performing "Casanova" for AndorramarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Armenia - Sirusho, 1st semifinal.jpg|Sirusho performing "Qele Qele" for ArmeniamarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Azerbaijan - Elnur and Samir 1st semifinal.jpg|Elnur and Samir performing "Day After Day" for AzerbaijanmarkerImage:Ruslan Alekhno, Belarus, Eurovision 2008.jpg|Ruslan Alekhno performing "Hasta La Vista" for BelarusmarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Belgium - Ishtar, 1st semifinal.jpg|Ishtar performing "O Julissi" for BelgiummarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka, 1st semifinal.jpg|Laka performing "Pokušaj" for Bosnia and HerzegovinamarkerImage:Deep Zone Project - ESC 2008.jpg|Deep Zone and Balthazar performing "DJ, Take Me Away" for BulgariamarkerImage:Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.jpg|Kraljevi Ulice and 75 cents performing "Romanca" for CroatiamarkerImage:Tereza Kerndlova - ESC 2008.jpg|Tereza Kerndlová performing "Have Some Fun" for Czech RepublicmarkerImage:Evdokia Kadi - ESC 2008.jpg|Evdokia Kadi performing "Femme Fatale" for CyprusmarkerImage:Simon Mathew, Denmark, Eurovision 2008.jpg|Simon Mathew performing All Night Long for DenmarkmarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Estonia - Kreisiraadio, 1st semifinal.jpg|Kreisiraadio performing Leto Svet for EstoniamarkerImage:Sébastien Tellier - ESC 2008.jpg|Sébastien Tellier performing "Divine for FrancemarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Finland - Teräsbetoni, 1st semifinal.jpg|Teräsbetoni performing "Missä miehet ratsastaa" for FinlandmarkerImage:Diana Gurtskaya, Georgia, Eurovision 2008, 2nd semifinal.jpg|Diana Gurtskaya performing "Peace Will Come" for GeorgiamarkerImage:No Angels - ESC 2008.jpg|No Angels performing "Disappear" for GermanymarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Greece - Kalomira, 1st semifinal.jpg|Kalomira performing "Secret Combination" for GreecemarkerImage:Csézy, Hungary, Eurovision 2008, 2nd semifinal.jpg|Csézy performing "Candlelight" for HungarymarkerImage:Iceland, Eurobandið, semi-final of Eurovision 2008.jpg|Euroband performing "This Is My Life" for IcelandmarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Ireland - Dustin the Turkey, 1st semifinal.jpg|Dustin the Turkey performing "Irelande Douze Pointe" for IrelandmarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Israel - Boaz Mauda, 1st semifinal.jpg|Boaz performing "The Fire In Your Eyes" for IsraelmarkerImage:Pirates of the Sea, Latvia, Eurovision 2008.jpg|Pirates of the Sea performing "Wolves of the Sea" for LatviamarkerImage:ImageESC 2008 - Lithuania - Jeronimas Milius, 2nd semifinal.jpg|Jeronimas Milius performing "Nomads in the Night" for LithuaniamarkerImage:Tamara Todevska - ESC 2008.jpg| Tamara, Vrčak and Adrijan "Let Me Love You" for MacedoniamarkerImage:Morena-Malta-Vodka (Eurovision 2008).JPG|Morenamarker performing "Vodka" for MaltamarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Moldova - Geta Burlacu, 1st semifinal.jpg|Geta Burlacu performing "A Century Of Love" for MoldovamarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Montenegro - Stefan Filipovic, 1st semifinal.jpg|Stefan Filipović performing "Zauvijek volim te for MontenegromarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Netherlands - Hind, 1st semifinal.jpg|Hind performing "Your Heart Belongs to Me" for The NetherlandsmarkerImage:Maria Eurovision semi-final 2008.jpg|Maria Haukaas Storeng performing "Hold On Be Strong" for NorwaymarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Poland - Isis Gee, 1st semifinal.jpg|Isis Gee performing "For Life" for PolandmarkerImage:2515252933 b17e6e4e3e o.jpg|Vânia Fernandes performing "Senhora do mar " for PortugalmarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Romania - Nico & Vlad, 1st semifinal.jpg|Nico and Vlad performing "Pe-o Margine de Lume" for RomaniamarkerImage:Russia in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.jpg|Dima Bilan, the winner, performing "Believe" for RussiamarkerImage:ESC 2008 - San Marino - Miodio, 1st semifinal.jpg|Miodio performing "Complice" for San MarinomarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Slovenia - Rebeka Dremelj, 1st semifinal.jpg|Rebeka Dremelj performing "Vrag naj vzame" for SloveniamarkerImage:David Fernández Ortiz - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre - ESC 2008.jpg|Rodolfo Chikilicuatre performing "Baila el Chiki Chiki" for SpainmarkerImage:ESC 2008 - Sweden - Charlotte Perrelli, 2nd semifinal.jpg.jpg|Charlotte Perrelli performing "Hero" for SwedenmarkerImage:Paolo Meneguzzi, Switzerland, Eurovision 2008, 2nd semifinal.jpg|Paolo Meneguzzi performing "Era stupendo" for SwitzerlandmarkerImage:Mor ve Ötesi, Turkey, ESC 2008, 2nd semifinal.jpg|Mor ve Ötesi performing "Deli" for TurkeymarkerImage:Ani Lorak - ESC 2008 final-2.jpg|Ani Lorak performing "Shady Lady" for UkrainemarkerImage:Andy Abraham - ESC 2008.jpg|Andy Abraham performing "Even If" for the United Kingdommarker


      Notes

      • A ^ "Irelande Douze Pointe" is mostly in English, but includes words and phrases in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Hungarian.
      • B ^ "Hasta la Vista" is in English, but contains three words in Spanish.
      • C ^ Vodka" is in English, but also includes 2 Russian words excluding 'vodka': На здоровье/Na zdorovye (Cheers).
      • D ^ Poland, the United Kingdom and Germany all received a total of 14 points. Whilst the rules of the contest describe mechanisms to break a tie should it be for first place, it is ambiguous as to whether the procedure applies to other rankings. Should the rules apply, Germany having received more twelve points than the others would be ranked 23rd, Poland having scored more ten points than the UK would be ranked 24th, leaving the UK in 25th and last place. A table located at the contest's official website, Eurovision.tv, shows the ties as broken, however in previous years such as 2007, 2004 and 2002, the same source has shown unbroken ties.


      References

      1. Belgians create feel good factor | Belgrade 2008 news | Eurovision Song Contest - Moscow 2009
      2. Украина заявляет о фальсификации результатов "Евровидения-2008" NEWSru.com May 29, 2008.
      3. During the UK national final (Eurovision: Your Decision), Terry Wogan confirmed both semi-finals would be broadcast on BBC Three.
      4. VG Nett - TV-guiden, VG, May 22, 2008
      5. -


      External links




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