Since 2002 the Melodifestivalen, Christer Björkman has helped Sweden adopt its current format. There were six weeks of shows to chose their entry to the Eurovision Song Contest from 32 songs. There are four semi-finals of eight songs with a second chance round and a grand final.

There are many changes to the 2015 selection to keep things interesting and exciting. There will be only 28 songs competing for the ticket to Eurovision. In each of the four semi-finals there will be seven songs. The two highest scoring songs will go direct to the Finalen and the third and fourth placing songs will go to the second chance round, Andra Chansen. At least 30% of the competing songs need to be in the Swedish language and also a minimum of 50% of the songs need to have a female composer or lyrist.

The Andra Chansen has undergone the most changes this year. Björkman believes the changes will make the Andra Chansen a more exciting and dramatic show. For the first time, the second chance songs participating will be allowed to be released to the public after the end of each semi-final broadcast previously these weren’t released until after the fourth semi-final. Each second chance song will be paired into 4 duels with each winner getting a ticket to the Finalen. Only one Andra Chansen artist has succeeded in winning the Melodifestivalen Finalen, Robin Stjernberg in 2013, won with the song You. Previously there would be only two tickets for the Finalen from the Andra Chansen. So the Finalen will consist of 12 songs competing for the prize instead of 10.

Article prepared for www.esccovers by FRED MEDEIROS

Source: SVT;