114.5 million watched Eurovision Song Contest

Geneva, 3 June 2011 – 70 million people tuned in for the final of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest on May 14 in Düsseldorf, Germany, while the two semi-finals were watched by 24.8 and 19.7 million viewers respectively, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) can reveal.

The figures mean the cumulative number of viewers for the three live shows was 114.5 million, nearly nine million more than last year.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest was televised in all 43 participating countries, plus Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Australia and New Zealand. It was also diffused worldwide on the internet, and 15 national radio stations aired audio of the competition.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, says: "The Eurovision Song Contest is not just 7.5 hours of top quality live entertainment, it is also a European ratings triumph. Several broadcasters saw audience records smashed, due to massive viewer interest."

Sand adds: "There is something magical about so many people across Europe and around the world sharing the same experience at the same time."

Live online streams of Europe's favourite TV spectacle generated 804,000 viewing sessions, and in the lead-up to the 2011 contest, the official www.eurovision.tv website generated 87 million page views - 8% more than last year.

Eurovision Song Contest Event Supervisor and head of new media Sietse Bakker says: "We saw a big increase in social media activity this year, with almost 400,000 registered fans on Facebook and many global trending topics on Twitter during the live shows. This means a lot to us, since we are eager to reach a new generation of dedicated viewers with the Eurovision Song Contest."

The 2011 Eurovision Song Contest took place on May 10, 12 and 14 in Düsseldorf, Germany, hosted by broadcaster NDR, a member of the ARD network. The live final at the Düsseldorf Arena was attended by 36,000 fans, and more than 2,000 journalists covered the event. After a tense vote, Azerbaijan won the contest. Italy, returning after a 14-year absence, finished second.

For more information, visit www.eurovision.tv.

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Note to editors:

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition for active Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), represented by the public broadcasters in their respective countries. The first contest was held in Lugano Switzerland in 1956. Since then, the contest has become a true European tradition. In 2011, the 56th contest will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany. News and information about the Eurovision Song Contest is available on: www.eurovision.tv . Click here for the 2011 Media Handbook. European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

For further information about the Eurovision Song Contest, please contact:
Sietse Bakker
Event Supervisor Eurovision Song Contest
Tel. +372 712 0020
E-mail: press@eurovision.tv

The EBU serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe. It promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. It brings news, sports, events and music to your home through the Eurovision and Euroradio networks. The EBU develops and shares best practices, media expertise and innovation. It produces and exchanges rich and diverse programmes across all media. www.ebu.ch

For further information about the EBU, please contact:
Ben Steward
EBU Communications Officer
Tel. +41 22 717 22 13
steward@ebu.ch
Twitter: @EBU_Eurovision