Broadcasters from thirty-nine countries took part in the contest, withGeorgia returning after a one-year absence. Meanwhile,Andorra, theCzech Republic,Hungary, andMontenegro ceased their participation, mainly due to the2008 financial crisis.Lithuania originally announced its non-participation, but was later confirmed as among the participants by the EBU.[4][5]
The winner wasGermany with the song "Satellite", performed byLena and written byJulie Frost and John Gordon. The song won both the jury vote and televote and was Germany's second victory in the contest, following1982. It was also its first win asa unified country, and the first win for one of the "Big Four" countries since the rule's introduction in2000.Turkey,Romania,Denmark, andAzerbaijan rounded out the top five. Romania, finishing third, equalled its best result from2005, while further down the table, Georgia achieved its best result to date, finishing ninth. For the first time since the introduction of semi-finals in2004, Sweden failed to qualify for the final.
Prior to the contest, the EBU announced that the voting system used in the semi-finals would change from previous years to balancejury voting withtelevoting. A return ofaccompaniment byorchestra was also proposed, but ultimately did not occur. The 2008 financial crisis affected how the contest was run, with NRK being forced to sell its broadcasting rights for the2010 FIFA World Cup toTV 2 andViasat in order to finance the event.[6]
At a press conference inOslo on 27 May 2009, it was announced that the show was to be held in theOslo metropolitan area. NRK argued that Oslo was the only city with the required capacity, venues, and infrastructure to hold the show. On 3 July 2009, it was decided that the venue would be the newly constructedTelenor Arena, in the municipality ofBærum neighbouring Oslo.[9] TheOslo Spektrum (host venue in1996) was ruled out to host the contest due to its smaller size and capacity,[1] as wasVallhall Arena in Oslo and theVikingskipet inHamar. NRK had decided they wanted to take the contest back to the basics and after the contest in 2009, where LEDs were widely used, they used none. The 2010 was also produced on a considerably lower budget than the year before.[10]
A total of 39 countries confirmed their participation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, includingGeorgia, which returned to the contest after its absence in2009.[11]
TheLithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) initially announced its non-participation after failing to achieve the necessary funds of 300,000litas (€90,000) for participation.[5] The EBU later confirmed thatLithuania would indeed participate in Oslo.[4] Funding was eventually given by Lithuanian companyTeo LT, which allowed LRT to participate.[12]
Thirty-four countries participated in the semi-finals of the contest. The semi-final allocation draw took place on 7 February 2010, while the draw for the running order was held on 23 March 2010. To keep tension high, the qualifiers were announced in random order in the semi-finals, and scores were published online only after the final took place.[13]
The EBU announced that they would work harder to bring backAustria,Italy, andMonaco to the 2010 contest.[16] In September 2009 the EBU's director Bjørn Erichsen stated during an EBU press conference that "Austria [would] be back", and that the EBU "[had] reasons to believe that Luxembourg and Monaco" were also to participate; "now we are only missing Italy".[17][18][19] In late October 2009, the 2010 contest project managerJon Ola Sand stated that "countries such as Monaco and Luxembourg [had] indicated that they [wished] to participate in next year's competition in Norway".[17][20]However, the representatives of the broadcasters of Austria, Monaco, and Luxembourg denied participation in the 2010 contest. Wolfgang Lorenz, the programme director of the Austrian broadcasterÖsterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), informed that they would not take part stating that the contest had been "ruined by the regulations".[21]Télé Monte Carlo (TMC) also declared that they would not be returning for the 2010 edition, mainly due to a lack of finances to send a Monegasque entry.[22] TheRTL Group announced that they were having serious discussions regarding a possible comeback forLuxembourg for the first time since1993, but later confirmed that they would not be present for the 2010 contest either.[23]Radiotelevisione della Repubblica di San Marino (SMRTV) also considered returning in 2010 forSan Marino; however, after deliberations with Italian artists, including Italian sister duoPaola & Chiara, they informed to withhold returning after failing to receive funding from the Sammarinnese parliament or sponsors.[24]
EBU had talks to Liechtenstein's only broadcaster1 FL TV for them to join the EBU, and become a part of the Eurovision Song Contest. 1 FL TV's programme director Peter Kölbel had confirmed interest in their participation as soon as full EBU membership is granted, which may have happened in December 2009. Thus they were getting ready to debut in 2010, considering a national final concept similar to the German version of theIdol series –Deutschland sucht den Superstar (DSDS).[17][25] In November 1FLTV decided against applying for EBU membership in December for financial reasons, ruling out a debut at the 2010 contest.[26][27]
Screenshot from the rehearsals where the design can be seen
NRK announced the theme art, slogan and design for the contest on 4 December 2009, during the Host City Insignia Exchange between the Mayors of Moscow, Oslo and Bærum, marking the official kick-off of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 season.[37] The theme art, a series of intersecting circles, was selected to "represent gathering people and the diversity of emotions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest."[38] In addition to the base colour of white, the logo was created in black, gold, and pink.[39] A preview of the stage design was released on 6 May 2010, featuring no LED screens, opting instead for various other lighting techniques.[40]
Unlike the2009 and the2008 postcards, the 2010 postcards were based in simplicity but also included an innovative idea, they are shown like they could be seen right in the venue, over the crowd's heads.
The basic synopsis of the postcards is a numerous group of little golden balls (the theme of the ESC 2010) forms the shape of each country. Then, they move and form a screen where we can see a pre-recorded video of a little crowd from in a city of the country (usually the capital) about to perform supporting and cheering their act. After that, a few seconds of the performer of the country getting ready in the stage are shown; and then, the balls form the flag of the country supported.
In the part of the shape of the country, there were little discrepancies: some countries' shapes, such as those for Serbia, Israel, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, were not completely shown, due to territorial or border disputes in those areas.
NRK announced the hosts of the contest on 10 March 2010. Those chosen wereErik Solbakken,Haddy Jatou N'jie, andNadia Hasnaoui. Solbakken and N'jie opened the three shows, introduced the artists, and reported from the green room during the voting, with Hasnaoui presenting the voting section and scoreboard announcements.[2][41] This was the second Eurovision event that Hasnaoui had co-hosted, after doing so at theJunior Eurovision Song Contest 2004, inLillehammer. The trio guided the audience and viewers through the night in English, French, and Norwegian.[42] This was the second time that more than two hosts were presenting the shows, after the1999 contest.
On 11 October 2009, the EBU announced that the format of the semi-finals was to be changed so that the results would be determined by a combination of 50% nationaljury and 50%televoting, making it more consistent with the final. Each country's votes were determined by combining the jury votes and the televoting results; the countries with the top ten highest points in each semi-final then qualify to participate in the final of the contest.[43] This replaces the semi-final format used in the2008 and2009 contests in which the countries with the top nine highest points from the televoting results in each semi-final qualified for the final. The tenth semi-final place was then given to the country with the highest number of points from the jury's votes which had not already qualified for the final from the televoting results.[44] On 26 October 2009, the EBU announced that the voting would be open throughout the competition and would conclude 15 minutes after the end of the very last song.[45]
A number of fans began a campaign on social networking siteFacebook for the return of anorchestra to the contest in Oslo, for the first time since1998. An orchestra, which had been used since the first contest in 1956, was dropped after the 1998 contest due to rapid developments in music technology, which madebacking tracks more useful.[46][47] Jan Fredrik Heyerdahl of theNorwegian Radio Orchestra said that they were interested in participating in the 2010 contest if the EBU and NRK approved the return of an orchestra.[46][47] However, no such change to the contest had been approved.
Pre-qualified for the final but also voting in the first semi-final
Participating countries in the second semi-final
Pre-qualified for the final but also voting in the second semi-final
On Sunday 7 February 2010, the draw to decide which countries were to appear in either the first or second semi-final took place. The participating countries excluding the automatic finalists (France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom) were split into six pots, based upon how those countries had been voting. From these pots, half (or as close to half as is possible) competed in the first Semi Final on 25 May 2010. The other half in that particular pot will compete in the second Semi Final on 27 May 2010. This draw also doubled up as an approximate running order, in order for the delegations from the countries to know when their rehearsals commenced. The draw also determined in which Semi Final the automatic finalists voted in.[48][49] The draw for the running order of the semi-finals, finals, and the order of voting, took place on 23 March 2010.[4]
The first semi-final took place on 25 May 2010 at 21:00CEST. The ten countries in this semi-final with the highest scoring points, according to a combination of televotes and jury votes from each voting country, qualified for the final. France, Germany, and Spain voted in this semi-final.[50][51][52][53]
Qualifiers
Results of the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010[54]
The second semi-final took place on 27 May 2010 21:00CEST. The ten countries in this semi-final with the highest scoring points, according to a combination of televotes and jury votes from each voting country, qualified for the final. Norway and the United Kingdom voted in this semi-final.[52][53]
Qualifiers
Results of the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010[55]
Lena performing the winning entry, "Satellite," for Germany.
The final took place on 29 May 2010 at 21:00CEST and was won by Germany. The "Big Four" and the host country, Norway, qualified directly for the final. From the two semi-finals on 25 and 27 May 2010, twenty countries qualified for the final. A total of twenty-five countries competed in the final. The voting system used was similar to that used in the2009 contest (with a combination of televotes and jury votes), but viewers were able to vote during the performances; the voting window ended 15 minutes after the conclusion of the songs.
The interval act involved a number of live public outdoor dance events from across Europe, which were planned for promotional purposes, but done in the style of a series of spontaneousflashmobs. The outdoor footage was intercut with webcam footage from individual private households. Peter Svaar, Head of Press for the contest on behalf of broadcaster NRK, said: "We want to share the Eurovision Song Contest, rather than just broadcast it."[56] The seven and a half minute long song "Glow", was produced and co-written by theElement team and performed and co-written byMadcon.[57][better source needed]
The performance of "Algo pequeñito" byDaniel Diges, representingSpain, was disrupted byCatalanpitch invaderJaume Marquet, also known as Jimmy Jump. The performance continued as Marquet, wearing abarretina, joined in with the choreographed routine, but he ran off when security personnel appeared on the stage. Spain was subsequently allowed to perform their song a second time after Denmark's entry – the 25th and final song – had been performed.[58][59][60][61]
Germany won with 246 points, winning both the jury vote and the televote. Turkey came second with 170 points, with Romania, Denmark, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Armenia, Greece, Georgia and Ukraine completing the top ten. Cyprus, Moldova, Ireland, Belarus and the United Kingdom occupied the bottom five positions.
Winner
Results of the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010[62]
Each participating broadcaster appointed a spokesperson responsible for announcing the votes for its respective country. They revealed their votes in the following order:[63]
The split jury/televoting results were announced by the EBU in June 2010. Only the split totals received by each country were given, not the full breakdown.[74]
Most broadcasters sent commentators to Oslo or commentated from their own country, in order to add insight to the participants and, if necessary, provide voting information.
Broadcasters and commentators in participating countries
Australia – Even though Australia was not eligible to enter, the contest was broadcast onSpecial Broadcasting Service (SBS), a free-to-air television station, as in previous years.[126] As in 2009, the coverage featured local commentary and segments from Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang.[124]
The first semi-final was broadcast on 28 May 2010, the second semi-final on 29 May 2010, and the final on 30 May 2010, with all shows broadcast at 19:30AEST (09:30UTC). The first semi final rated a respectable 316,000 viewers, the second semi-final rated 415,000 viewers and the final rated 366,000, a solid result considering Sunday night offers tough competition on the commercial networks.[127][128] The final was also simulcast on a special digital radio station, set-up by the network, which aired classic Eurovision songs in the lead-up to the event. SBS also aired the EBU-producedCountdown To Eurovision specials on 14 May and 21 May at4 pm.[129]
For the 2010 contest, SBS broadcast a special TV programmeThe A to Z of Eurovision one week before the contest. This 90-minute programme was a 20 to 1 style show that played the craziest, campest and most controversial moments from Eurovision history with guests and performers. It also featured as a form guide to find out who was hot that year, and what to look out for the following weekend. Eurovision performers includingJohnny Logan andDima Bilan as well as Australian celebrities appeared as guests during the show which was hosted by Zemiro and Pang.[130]
New Zealand – Although New Zealand is not eligible to enter the contest, the contest was broadcast onTriangle TV's satellite channel STRATOS. It broadcast both the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 semi finals as well as the final as a delayed broadcast.[126]
Hungary – It was announced at the Reference Group meeting on 22 March 2010 that Hungary would be broadcasting the contest.[131]Duna TV, currently an approved member of the EBU, has been confirmed as broadcasting the contest in Hungary afterMagyar Televízió, the current Hungarian broadcaster, pulled out. They have also announced that they will attempt to send a Hungarian entry to the 2011 contest.[132]
Kazakhstan – It was announced at the Reference Group meeting on 22 March 2010 that Kazakhstan would be broadcasting the contest.[131]
Kosovo – It was announced at the Reference Group meeting on 22 March 2010 that Kosovo would be broadcasting the contest.[131]
Montenegro – Despite not participating in 2010's Eurovision Song Contest due to financial trouble, the national broadcaster of Montenegro, RTCG, aired both semi finals and the final live on its main channelRTCG1.[133]
In addition to the main winner's trophy, theMarcel Bezençon Awards and theBarbara Dex Award were contested during the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. TheOGAE, "General Organisation of Eurovision Fans" voting poll also took place before the contest.
TheMarcel Bezençon Awards, organised since 2002 by Sweden's then-Head of Delegation and 1992 representativeChrister Björkman, and 1984 winnerRichard Herrey, honours songs in the contest's final.[144] The awards are divided into three categories: Artistic Award, Composers Award, and Press Award.[145] This is the first and to date the only occasion in which an entry managed to win in all categories.
OGAE, an organisation of over forty Eurovision Song Contest fan clubs across Europe and beyond, conducts an annual voting poll first held in 2002 as the Marcel Bezençon Fan Award. After all votes were cast, the top-ranked entry in the 2010 poll was Denmark's "In a Moment like This" performed byChanée andN'evergreen; the top five results are shown below.[146][147][148]
TheBarbara Dex Award is a humorous fan award given to the worst dressed artist each year. Named afterBelgium's representative who came last in the 1993 contest, wearing her self-designed dress, the award was handed by the fansite House of Eurovision from 1997 to 2016 and is being carried out by the fansite songfestival.be since 2017.
Eurovision Song Contest: Oslo 2010 was the official compilation album of the 2010 contest, put together by the European Broadcasting Union and released byEMI Records andCMC International on 17 May 2010.The album featured all 39 songs that entered in the 2010 contest, including the semi-finalists that failed to qualify into the grand final.[149]
^On behalf of the German public broadcasting consortiumARD[15]
^abPerformance contains uncredited live vocals fromBilly Zver
^abDespite finishing with the same number of points as Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina is deemed to have finished in eighth place due to receiving a greater individual score from one country, as both countries received points from the same number of national juries.
^abDespite finishing with the same number of points as Cyprus, Ireland is deemed to have finished in ninth place due to receiving points from a greater number of countries.
^Granger, Anthony (4 May 2017)."Iceland: Bo Halldórsson To Announce Jury Votes". Eurovoix.Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved8 April 2022.Bo is the first former participant from Iceland to reveal the results of the Icelandic vote since Yohanna who announce the Icelandic points in 2010.
^Grunzweig, Emily (21 September 2010)."סופית: האירוויזיון ישודר בערוץ 1" [Final: Eurovision will be broadcast on Channel 1].Walla!.Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved9 June 2023.
^"Klubi-info: Mikä ihmeen OGAE?" [The club info: What on Earth is OGAE?]. Club History (in Finnish). OGAE Finland. 5 June 2012. Archived fromthe original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved17 June 2012.
