Melodifestivalen – the competition that selects Sweden’s Eurovision Song Contest entry – is to be broadcasted with English commentary for the first time this year.
The contest, which frequently racks up the highest annual ratings in its native country, will be broadcast on SVT 1 at 8 pm GMT on March 13. It will also be available on SVT Play.
“Words cannot describe just how excited we are to be bringing Melodifestivalen to the many non-Swedish speaking fans out there,” gushed Bella Qvist and Olivia Le Poidevin, the journalists in charge of the English commentary, in a statement on Twitter.
“It will be an absolute dream come true to welcome and guide our big international Eurovision family to Melodifestivalen, this beacon of love and light in the darkest of times.
“This is exactly what we all need after the year that we have had.”
The 12 acts competing in Melodifestivalen 2021 for a spot at Eurovision are:
- Danny Saucedo – Dandi dansa
- Klara Hammarström – Beat of Broken Hearts
- Anton Ewald – New Religion
- The Mamas – In The Middle
- Paul Rey – The Missing Piece
- Charlotte Perrelli – Still Young
- Tusse – Voices
- Alvaro Estrella – Baila Baila
- Clara Klingenström – Behöver inte dig idag
- Eric Saade – Every Minute
- Dotter – Little Tot
- Arvingarna – Tänker inte alls gå hem
Sweden has won Eurovision six times in total, with acts including ABBA and most recent victor, Måns Zelmerlöw, who triumphed in 2015 with his song Heroes.
The country’s track record puts them only one win behind Ireland, which has seven in total – the most for any region in Eurovision history.
Semi-finals for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest will air from May 18, 2021, with the grand final expected to take place in Rotterdam on May 22.
