Sweden – Criticism of Melodifestivalen 2015. Photo soultravelmultimedia

Sweden : Criticism in the Swedish Press regarding the new rule changes to Melodifestivalen.

Only minutes after the announced changes to the ‘Andra Chansen’ song semi-final were announced,  the Swedish media is criticising the decision made by SVT (Swedish National Broadcaster)

The new rules allow for the songs that qualify for the ‘Andra Chansen’ contest to be played on Radio immediately after their respective heats. Unlike the winners of the heats who will have to wait until the 4th heat is completed before they can be heard on Swedish Airwaves.

According to Aftondladet in Sweden the new rules “can derail a preliminary favorites in favor of the underdog candidates”

The paper goes on to say “Songs in the first and second heats can really benefit by going to the Second Chance show instead of directly to the final. It would mean that they can be played on radio stations for up to three weeks before everyone else gets to be heard on radio”

Nöjesbladet music critic Markus Larsson spoke of the new rule changes saying “An incomprehensible rule change that opens only for long debates about the pros and cons. SVT has obviously too little to do. Or so they listen too much to what the record companies want”

So tell us what you think of the new rule changes to Melodifestivalen? Do you think they offer an unfair advantage now to the songs that pass to Andra Chansen? Are the instant sounding songs that qualify directly to the final now at a disadvantage?

Let us know your thoughts as this debate is sure to rumble on for some time now.

Author/Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : Aftonbladet and Nöjesbladet