The Käärijä hype in Finland is real. The past week everything has turned green and most every company and business is showing support in most imaginative ways from big companies to small businesses, private and public and I have to admit I have never ever witnessed such a support and hype for anything or anyone, not even ice-hockey world champs and that tells it all.
And it shows also in viewing figures: 1.264.000 (78%) for the first semi-final, all time record. Taking account the grand final that usually gathers a lot more viewers it's the 7th most watched Eurovision final or semi-final since 1999. The record is obviously Helsinki 2007 Eurovision final with 1.905.000 (83%). I have a feeling we will break that next Saturday.
The fever was high also in 2006 when Lordi won. 1.479.000 (75%) gathered in front of their tv-screens. But in spring 2006 there was no hype. It only started a week before the final and exploded in their home coming concert in Helsinki Market Square with 800.000 people causing a total block down of Helsinki city center.
While we are at Lordi their grand final performance has now surpassed 50 million views on Youtube. It's the 9th most watched video of all time on Eurovision's official channel. Hard rock hallelujah, cha cha cha!
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