SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster, have revealed a reversal of the new format of Melodifestivalen 2026 – their national selection for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna.

For heat one, SVT announced the two automatic finalists for Melodifestivalen 2026 on SVT 1, while the announcement for the act going to final qualification was made on SVT Play. This new format is to be scrapped and all announcements will be made during the SVT 1 broadcast, from Saturday 7th February. Speaking to Aftonbladet, Anders Wistbacka, Melodifestivalen 2026’s Project Manager, had the following to say:

“Viewers have experienced the shift from SVT1 to SVT Play negatively and we have taken that feedback into account. Starting with the next round, the entire Melodifestivalen will also be available to watch on SVT1. At the same time, we are very happy and satisfied with the great response we have received to the content of the first program and now we have full focus on delivering equally good entertainment for the next five weeks.”

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Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Aftonbladet