So this year voting is once again only opening after the final song. I'm not sure why really as the setup of 2011 looked to have balanced out some of the bias towards the late starters. Also, there's 26 songs in the final this year, one more that last year. So both of those changes will once again shift the bias back towards the songs in the final 5 slots. Any song drawn 2-15ish will have to be significantly clear of the rest in order to win. So.....early pointers would be to tread carefully in the outright market before the draw - big prices should get the attention as they will plunge given a strong draw, and vice versa avoid any v short outright prices as the value is entirely dependent on the draw. Bit worried about the potential for.....I wont use the word corruption....but for the playing field to be slightly uneven this year ;)
I only half agree with you though. I didn't think the early televoting affected the final to be honest. It'll be the semi-finals that become more predictable. And since the 50/50 vote split, I recon the corruption element has dissipated quite considerably. http://www.escbet.com/2011/11/23/top-10-geographical-make-up-analysis/
It's not a huge change, the jury vote dilutes it a little and the the majority of voters vote at the end but it certainly gave the early slots a fighting chance - with lines opening at the end it's almost too big a disadvantage to overcome in terms of winning. My corruption point is purely in relation to this year - the Azeris havent always covered themselves in glory with their conduct in ESC. Dont worry about putting something on the site - I'll just ramble in here. If I ever say something coherent we can stick that on.
Well it'd just be good to get a different face posting... I agree about the Azeris, but aren't they always up to it? I kinda get what you're saying now, you're thinking that being the host country, they'll pull a new strings and scratch a few backs. Well Russia 'sorted' a few sound issues for some acts didn't they. You may have a slight point, Beanie. Interestingly, the same production company that ran the Dusseldorf show is running the one in Baku. Personally, I think they made a mess of the semi finals in Germany - so quality can't be guaranteed.
Yeah -I just think the environment might be a little more conducive to a few more fun and games. If I've got time tonight I'll write a 'pre-preview' article - something with a few notes and ideas prior to the songs being released.
I cant't seem to remember - which of the recent years were open to in-performance voting, and which were not?
