The European Broadcasting Union confirmed significant voting changes for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
Semi-Final Televote Only
The semi-final results will be determined solely by the public vote. Viewers in the participant countries can vote, as well as viewers in non-participating countries who will be able to vote online. The last time there was a televote only system was back in 2007.
Online International Voting
For the first time ever, fans from across the world will be able to vote for their favourites in the contest. Fans will be able to vote through a secure online platform using a credit card from their country. The votes from non-participating countries will be the equivalent of one country’s votes.
Jury Remains for the Final
Professional juries will remain for the Grand Final, working alongside public votes to determine the winner.
Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor said:
“Throughout its 67-year history the Eurovision Song Contest has constantly evolved to remain relevant and exciting. These changes acknowledge the immense popularity of the show by giving more power to the audience of the world’s largest live music event.
In 2023 only Eurovision Song Contest viewers will decide which countries make it to the Grand Final and, reflecting the global impact of the event, everyone watching the show, wherever they live in the world, can cast their votes for their favourite songs.
By also involving juries of music professionals in deciding the final result, all the songs in the Grand Final can be assessed on the broadest possible criteria. We can also maintain the tradition of travelling around Europe and Australia to collect points and ensure a thrilling voting sequence with the winner only revealed at the very end of the show.”
The changes are a result of voting irregularities within the 2022 contest. The EBU created a working group to establish ways to protect the integrity of the event, and the changes were approved by the Reference Group and the Executive Board of the EBU.