Eurovision: More People Watched The Semi-Finals Than The Finals
The illustrious European song contest, which includes more glitter, sequins and strobe lighting effects than a primary school disco, has crowned Sweden its winner for 2015.
It was the first time Australia had been allowed to compete, with Guy Sebastian rocking it out on stage in the final. However the semi-finals broadcast on SBS – which didn’t include Sebastian’s performance as he was performing in the finals – grabbed more viewers than the finale on Sunday.
Preliminary results from OzTam, the second night of semi-finals on Saturday evening was the most watched out of the three nights, nabbing 639,000 viewers. Perhaps that was because of the boy band dance routine from Israel.
The finals of Eurovision were shown in the wee hours of Sunday morning due to the time difference, and also later Sunday evening for those who hadn’t roused themselves out from the depths of their doona-clad bed.
The evening broadcast on Sunday evening brought in 592,000 viewers, while the first night of semi-finals on Friday night saw 500,000 viewers. The final this year, however, was far up from last year’s, where the 2014 finale pulled in 476,000 viewers. It was the most successful year for Eurovision in Australia, said the broadcaster.
“SBS has been broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest for over 30 years and during the last few years we’ve worked hard towards increasing our involvement in the event,” said SBS CEO Michael Ebeid. “Our invitation to compete as a wild card entry this year has been an honour and we are absolutely delighted that our artist Guy Sebastian has represented Australia and SBS so exceptionally on the world’s biggest stage, showcasing our country’s creative talents.
“Eurovision for SBS is the perfect example of the SBS charter in action with its celebration of diversity, culture, and inclusion. Guy’s performance was outstanding and against such strong competition we’re so proud that his talent was supported, and acknowledged by the Eurovision community.”
The Eurovision-filled weekend helped SBS pull higher daily shares than usual, with Friday night seeing 10.7 per cent, Saturday night 14.8 per cent and Sunday night 12.1 per cent.
Besides the official voting in the competition, SBS enabled Aussie viewers to have their say on who the nation preferred. The company behind the tech, Buzzdial, reported more than 35,000 people used the service during the contest, delivering more than one million audience attention minutes.
And unsurprisingly, social media went bananas. According to social media agency, Thinktank Social, Australia contributed 12 per cent of the conversation around the hashtag #Eurovision2015. Sam Snowden, account director at the agency, believed social media was one reason Aussies got behind the competition.
“Ultimately Eurovision hysteria overtook the nation because there was an Australian wildcard competing in the competition,” he told B&T.
“However, this national pride wasn’t the only reason Eurovision 2015 fever swept the nation. The other main contributor to the show’s impact was our social and mobile news feeds. The status updates, social commentary and communal ‘Eurovision’ viewings shared by our peers inspired intrigue. From this intrigue, people experienced the competition for themselves adding to the growing social conversation.
“This momentum of social mentions surrounding Eurovision 2015 lead to brands creating content about the ‘trend-worthy’ competition and venues commercialising the ‘#Eurovision’ social dollar in the form of viewing parties at their premises.”
The media has been all over Eurovision this year too, however Dominic Knight, in an opinion piece for the ABC, argued this year’s contest was far too tame and asks where all the “freaks” were.
“As I watched this year’s Eurovision, I found myself not really minding most of the songs, until I got up to Guy Sebastian and looked back to realise that very few of the staples of Eurovision, those tried and tested elements that have kept fans coming back for decades, were in place this year,” he wrote.
Image via SBS.
Please login with linkedin to comment
2015 NSW Creative Achievements Awards Advertising Standards Bureau Enlighten Festival Free Targeted Media Google Play Modern Family SportLatest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.