Sweden: “Melodifestivalen 2023” Semi-Final Will Feature Format Changes

Swedish broadcaster SVT has changed the format of the semi-final round for the 2nd year in a row.
By 2021, the semi-final was called “Andra Chansen” (or the second chance round).
Last year, this round was named the semi-final while the first 4 shows were called heats.

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The 3rd and 4th places from each heat will qualify for the semi-final (as the first 2 places will get a direct path to the final). The main change is regarding the qualifying method from this round:

• “Melodifestivalen 2023” – 8 acts will compete in the semi-final and the top 4 will qualify for the final
• “Melodifestivalen 2022” – The 8 semi-finalists were assigned to 2 groups of 4 candidates. The top 2 from each group qualified for the final.
• Melodifestivalen 2015-2021 – The 8 candidates were assigned into 4 duels, in which the winner of each battle qualified for the final.

Semi-Final Format – Details

1. As mentioned before, the top 4 semi-finalists will qualify for the final.
2. The results will be determined by the viewers only.
3. Halfway into the vote, viewers will get to know who the 4 leading artists are (in random order).
4. After presenting the 4 leading artists at a specific point, viewers will get additional votes in the app.
5. The votes will be disturbed by the different age groups alongside the televoters:
   •  3-9 years
   • 10-15 years
   • 16-29 years
   • 30-44 years
   • 45-59 years
   • 60-74 years
   • 75+ years
   • Televoters
6. Each age group of voters will grant points to their top 4 only: 12, 10,8, and 5 points accordingly.
7. The points will be presented based on age aggregation, so the viewers will be able to follow which entry is most popular within each age group.

“Melodifestivalen 2023” – Recap

1. “Melodifestivalen 2023” dates and locations are:
   • Heat 1 – 4th of February 2023, will be held in Gothenburg.
   • Heat 2 – 11th of February 2023, will be held in Linköping.
   • Heat 3 – 18th of February 2023, will be held in Lidköping.
   • Heat 4 – 25th of February 2023, will be held in Malmö.
   • Semi-Final (Second Chance) – 4th of March 2023, will be held in Örnsköldsvik.
   • The Grand Final – 11th of March 2023, will be held in Stockholm
2. 28 songs will be part of the line-up, and 7 songs will be performed in each heat.
3. 2 artists will qualify directly from each heat for the final
4. The 8 artists who will end up in 3rd and 4th place in the heats will compete in the semi-final. 4 of them will qualify for the final.
5. Therefore, 12 artists will compete in the final.
6. The results in the grand final will be determined by a combination of 50% public vote and 50% international jury

Cornelia Jakobs represented Sweden at Eurovision 2022, with the song “Hold Me Closer“.
She finished in 4th place in the final:

Who will represent Sweden at Eurovision 2023?
Do you support the new format change?