Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Finland's Yle is once again broadcasting a lot of Eurovision related things and most remarkable we get to celebrate both Lordi's win and homecoming concert in 2006 again as well as the Eurovision song contest 2007 in Finland in Yle's channels. Is it an omen for 2026 win? Saturday May 9: Lordi's Market Square massacre aka homecoming concert (Yle tv1 15.20-16.50).  This was an Event : Helsinki city center was so crowded with over 80.000 people that they urged in tv people to stay home already hours before as they couldn't get anywhere near where they could see the stage anymore..... President Tarja Halonen was present, too. Quite a spectacle to watch if you haven't seen it yet! In Yle Areena online you can watch the before mentioned Eurovision song contests 2006 and 2007.  Sunday May 10 : Turquoise carpet live on Yle Areena (17.55-20.10) Tuesday May 12 : There's a pre-how before the semi-final (Yle tv1 21.30-22.00)  hosted by Jasmin Beloued         ...

Yle has released data on viewing figures during the Eurovision song contest final. An average of 1,7 million people watched the show with peak up to 2,6 million. The streaming platform reached over 500.000.  The first semifinal with Finnish KAJ representing Sweden got 1,5 million viewers with an average of 808.000. The second semifinal with Finland's Erika Vikman did better with 1,6 million viewers and an average of 930.000. Meanwhile Yle has announced the UMK 2026 will take place again i Tampere on February 28, 2026.

The hype was in the air for Käärijä's chances to win Eurovision song contest 2023. 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. Ladies and gentlemen: 2,8 million Finns reached out and tuned in to watch the show on television or various Yle's platforms. The average was 1,7 million while over 800.000 views were started online in Yle Areena. (And how many we will get still today for those few who didn't stay yp and watch last night? Or re-watch it today?). Last year the average was 1,07 million with total reach of 2,1 million.   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 ...

After demands from SVT and a couple of other broadcasters, and artist like Citi Zēni from Latvia Finland's Yle comes out clear and loud: If Ebu doesn't band Russia from Eurovision 2022 Yle and therefor Finland will stay home. “Russia’s attack on Ukraine is against all the values that Yle and other European broadcasters represent. Yle always defends Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity. Yle cannot take part in an event where Russia, which has blatantly attacked these values, can use one of Europe's best-known brands to advance its own interests. I hope that the EBU will live up to its values here, ”says Ville Vilén, Director of Yle's Creative Content and Media Unit. Yle is due to select the Finnish entry for Eurovision song contest 2022 tomorrow night at Logomo in Turku.  Updates: Estonia follows and joins the boycott. And so does Ukraine, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Lithuania, Iceland apparently. Add Poland. Ebu'...

Eurovision 2020 may be cancelled but the various broadcasters are filling the empty hours with Eurovision related programmes and their plans are slowly coming out. Besides the specials in the making in Germany and Sweden, and EBU's own Love shine a light show airing on May 16 that should involve all the artists of Eurovision 2020 somehow there are alternative ideas. Yle has decided to celebrate the brightest moments of Finland in recent years instead. On May 14 Krista Siegfrids and Mikko Silvennoinen will be hosting a Top-10 show (19.00-20.30 local time). Finns have an opportunity vote online before hand the Eurovision 2020 songs and they will reveal and showcase the top-10. The voting opens on May 8 and the show will feature also other performances and guests. After that Yle will broadcast again the Eurovision 2014 final , where Softengine placed 11th with their Something better .  On May 15 we will have Krista and Mikko again (19.00-20.30 local time) and this tim...

23 points and last in its semi-final, third to last or 39th/41 overal if you count all the songs. That's a big slap in face to YLE and UMK who propably hoped they were 11th in their semi. Most remarkable is Finland got only 23 points when the second to last in its semi, Montenegro, got the double: 46. Finlang got points from the juries: Greece 4, Spain 2, Australia 2 and Poland 1.  And from televoters: 12 Estonia (and we all know these are mainly from Finns staying in Estonia), and 2 from Iceland. Not really worth celebrating, is it? How Finns voted? No surprise the televoters 12 went to Iceland, followed by 10 to Norway ( Monsters scandal well forgotten then, or was it because the past few days it was told everywhere and even several times during the broadcast that a Finn Henrik Tala is in it?), Estonia 8, Sweden 7, Australia 6, the Netherlands 5, Russia 4, Italy 3, Switzerland 2 and Slovenia 1 (!!!). Finns have no right to complain and talk about neighbouring voting. Th...

YLE, we have a problem. What happens now? UMK has delivered in eight years only three Eurovision finalist (2013, 2014 and 2018) and even two of those have placed  24th and 25th in the final, the only exception being Softengine's 11th place in 2014. A lot critizied internal selection for the artist used past two years hasn't been the key to success and last night YLE was once again asking people how they would like the Finnish entry be selected next year. Before they have told us nothing has been decided yet for next year's method.  Two years ago YLE angered the Finnish musicians and songwriters by throwing all their work, time and money invested to rubbish pin by changing it all all of sudden by choosing Saara Aalto internally. This year they came out telling how difficult it was to find someone when every big artist turned the offer down from Antti Tuisku to Sunrise Avenue, Jenni Vartiainen and The Rasmus, just to name a few mentioned. This put the artists in a bit a...

Yle is going internal again in 2019 and it will be very curious to see who they choose (or get) after Saara Aalto - will they go for big international name or something big in Finland.  Or someone new and emerging? Niila (Arajuuri) is one of those very few Finnish artists who are more succesful abroad than home. In his case in Germany also thanks to collaborations with Sunrise Avenue. He's got a couple of hits also in Switzerland and Austria, and released his debut album in 2016. He would be a great wildcard to play even if most Finns wouldn't have a glue who he is... sadly. This blogger is a fan. 

Yle is going internal again in 2019 and it will be very curious to see who they choose (or get) after Saara Aalto - will they go for big international name or something big in Finland.  Or someone new and emerging? Chisu aka Christel Sundberg is one of the most succesful Finnish artists of the 2010's. She has won so far nine Emma awards (or Finnish Grammys) including Female artist, Song and album of the year awards. She also was the very first female to win the Producer award. She writes and produces not only to herself but also to other artists. Five albums (two #1s, two #2s and one #5) since 2008 but she's been rather quiet since her 2015 album Polaris , and her participation in Vain elämää season 5 in 2016.  Maybe #UMK2019 could be her big comeback? Her direct Eurovision connection is her bf and father of her child Mikki Kunttu who has been lighting director in Eurovision song contest 2007, 2013, 2016 and 2018 among others.  This blogger is a devoted fan a...

Yle is going internal again in 2019 and it will be very curious to see who they choose (or get) after Saara Aalto - will they go for big international name or something big in Finland.  Or someone new and emerging? To complete the solo/band triple after Samu/Sunrise Avenue and Johanna/Auri/Nightwish it's obvious choice: Lauri Ylönen solo or with his The Rasmus . Having success for over 20 years already and  In the Shadows in 2003 being one of the biggest hits of the year in Europe and top-10 single in 11 countries globally. It's also been several times the Finnish song that has earned most royalties globally beating also classical works by Sibelius. But it's not their only hit, they keep coming and Lauri also enjoyed success as a solo artist when The Rasmus has a short break. Definately a serious card to play if Yle only dares to ask them, and they or him dare to take the chance! Lauri is also one of the artists in this autumn's Vain elämää series so he wou...

Yle is going internal again in 2019 and it will be very curious to see who they choose (or get) after Saara Aalto - will they go for big international name or something big in Finland.  Or someone new and emerging? One of the big international names would surely be Sunrise Avenue or their front man Samu Haber solo. He has already flirted with Eurovision song contest back in 2007 when Forever yours was ment for Hanna Pakarinen. Later he ended up singing it with another Eurovision veteran Laura Voutilainen in Vain elämää series that made him known to most everyone, and kinda launched the idea of his solo career.  Sunrise Avenue is big(ger than in Finland actually) in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Their latest album topped the German album charts, as did their compilation album (and also in Switzerland). In Finland they have been regular top10 only. Their singles have charted also in Greece, Sweden and Belgium over the years.  Below are their biggest hits....

Juha Tapio, one of the most popular and succesful singer-songwriters in Finland said he "would consider the offer should Yle approach him" while being present in a summer theater premier in Hämeenlinna of Kaksi puuta that includes his songs. Juha Tapio (44) has won awards as the male artist of the year in various galas, his last seven albums have all been top-5 (including 3 #1's) and he's earned 8 gold, 3 platinum and 4 multiplatinum albums for them and he has two additonal top-5 compilation albums, one of them #1. He has 27 radio play top10 songs since 2003, 9 of them #1s.  He sings in Finnish and his music is rather traditional melodic Finnish music with great lyrics but he's equally loved by young and old. Yet he wouldn't be the first one to come to your mind when thinking about Eurovision - but then Sobral wasn't either. This blogger would be pleasantly surprised..... Check out some of his most popular songs below. Would yu like to see hi...

Let's have a look what else there is in the charts this summer, that could be of interest for YLE's internal choice for #UMK2019 and  Eurovision song contest as well... Kaija Koo is a true veteran who has re-invented herself over and over and now being over 50 is more popular than ever and gets side kicks like the most popular rapper Cheek or the very hot Reino Nordin as her featured acts. Paa mut cooleriin was released just in time for Midsummer. Her breakthrough hit was legendary Kuka keksi rakkauden back in 1993. Tinakenkätyttö is another goodie among her countless hits. Reino Nordin has had incredible past a couple of years. The actor turned singer has had already seven top-10 hits in a row including two #1's, this Kuinka paljon voi rakastaa and Ytimeen , and his Antaudun was maybe the biggest radio hit overal of 2017.  Vesta is the latest critic's sensation, up and coming singer but she has broken into radios as well. Ota varovasti is the...

Now that YLE has confirmed internal choice for the artist for #UMK2019 and Eurovision song contest let's see what's cooking in the charts while they are making decisions....   Mikko Harju is a newcomer with already a string of radio hits and lots of very devoted fans. His songs have been streamed millions of times giving him already two platinum singles ( Mä olen tässä and Taivas ei oo rajana ) and one gold ( Sinä riität ). He just released his debut album and this is the title track, Sinä olet elämä .  Antti Tuisku is propably YLE's and most fans' wet dream for Eurovision. The one and only real male pop star in Finland would certainly be a popular choice but how would he stand against European comparison? Hmmm... His latest Kumipuku is this summer's safe sex anthem. Check out also Hanuri , Mä hiihdän and Hyökyaalto .  Olavi Uusivirta is singer, actor and tv-presenter known for his energetic live performances. He celebrates his 15th anniversar...

YLE declares satisfied with the Eurovision 2018 adventures, despite the disappointing 25th place or second to last, in the final. 1,9 million viewers were registered for the final on Saturday night while 1,5 million watched the first semi-final, and in Yle Areena, the web portal Eurovision content was viewed over 800.000 times, and Yle's Eurovision website had over 1,2 million visits.  Meanwhile there has been a lot of talk about this year's selecting process, media demanding to know how much money was spent - aka tax payers money - in promoting Saara Aalto's career. Yle has refused to give any numbers saying Eurovision is an all year round project and it's not possible to give exact sums. Hmm...  People are not happy.  They are also yet undecided what to do next year; open call or internal selection of the artist. The later might be a better choice at this point when they have angered the songwriters in the country (when changing the selection process all of sud...

Yesterday's news was YLE was unable to "pay everybody" to Lisbon 2018 Eurovision song contest and thus leaving the entry's writers home, read more here . That caused quite a social media stir and for the reason. After all this is a SONG contest and without the song and who wrote it there was no entry (even if sometimes one wonders if there's a song at all in some performances...)  Today YLE announces it was all a misunderstanding and Linnea Deb, Joy Deb and Ki Fitzgerard all are travelling to Lisbon and will be in the Green room with the artists as well. One wonders who had the guts and common sense to stay away and give room to those you really deserve it....  Well done YLE, whether it was due to the negative flashback or just commom sense. Still I have to press it's more of the first as in the statement they still insist "usually YLE hasn't paid the songwriters to the spot due to the delegation limits set by EBU". So you do mean you have...

If you thought it's Eurovision SONG contest now it's clear what YLE thinks about it. The SONGwriters, who are quite much responsable for the outcome and the entry are not worth paying the ticket to Lisbon and their accomodation. All sort of managers, PR people, make up artists, hair artists, choreographers and assistants are, including of course various YLE people having not so much to do at the spot in reality. "We can't just pay everyone" comments YLE while in any sense of the world the artist and the backing group AND the SONGwriters should be the first ones in the list. But no. Not for YLE. This blogger had a bit hard swallowing they went abroad and bought the songs abroad like any Azerbaijans do (as that is what they did when especially inviting Eurovision winning team ( Heroes 2015) to write a song for Saara and Eurovision) but I softened a little when I discovered Linnea and Joy Deb actually do have some Finnish roots. And if YLE had money to bring t...

YLE has sort of apologized the mess they created late last year when they threw away the UMK2018's 300 submissions and chose internally Saara Aalto out of the blue angering the Finnish musicians and authors, and most of the public as well. Not very fair indeed. But YLE says they got fed up."Last year we had a great song, performance and artist and it failed. Like many times before." YLE promises in the future this won't happen: it will be clear from the start: internal choice or business as usual next year. "People have been asking us big names in UMK, but the big names don't want to participate. Maybe they are afraid of losing. Or then winning and failing in the main event and Finns can be cruel afterwards. We knew Saara Aalto wants to do this and she has experience of big stages so why not?" YLE's Antti Autio still believes they did nothing wrong and there's a weird case of blaming one person, Finnish Musicians association's boss Aku...

There were a lot of media fingers pointing at YLE and especially UMK as a failed production ( here , here , here  and here ). After Portugal's win the discussion has heated up again, and some are even demanding those responsable for UMK to resign, producer Anssi Autio especially. It has been noted out also that Portugal proved all the Eurovision mynths wrong:  1) You don't need a Swedish written/produced song to win,  2) You don't have to sing in English,  3) You don't need to do promotional tours and events,  4) You don't need a fancy and expensive video,  5) You don't need a voting block,  6) You don't need props and special effects on stage and  7) certainly you don't need fireworks and windmachines.  The Portuguese staging must have been the simpliest and cheapest since 1960's.  And all this right after when UMK people have been putting all their future effort in making huge stagings. IL clearly points the...

YLE has sneakingly leaked the fact #UMK17 will be on January 28, 2017 in Metro Arena (ex Barona) in Espoo so it's back to big arena with public (up to 8.500) from YLE's tv-studios. Also, there are no semifinals but one off final with 10 songs only. More information might come net Sunday when the tv-spot will be aired. The chosen ones will be revealed on November 23...