Eurovision. A job interview, and only Sweden knows.
162 million people watched Eurovision on Saturday. Sweden almost always wins, because it knows the contest is a job interview.
THE GIST ON EUROVISION: "Audition"
What is Eurovision, really?
A singing contest between a load of European countries, and a bunch of others. It was originally set up to test live satellite broadcasting. Seventy years later it's the world's biggest annual live music event: three hours of camp and key changes, and Australia competes. Don't ask me why.
What does Sweden do differently?
It built a system. Sweden is the biggest pop music exporter behind only the US and the UK. Max Martin has written more number one singles than anyone alive apart from Paul McCartney, and he came from that system.
It hosts a six-week national selection event called Melodifestivalen, so by the time a song reaches Eurovision it's been tested by professional songwriters and 40% of the population. Sweden treats Eurovision like a commercial pop launch.
What about Britain?
Saturday was the 70th Eurovision final. 35 countries competed, and the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy fund most of it. Britain has been finishing near the bottom for 50 years, because we've spent the whole time getting really good at the wrong job. Sweden has been getting good at the right one.
Where else does this happen?
Talent shows, award seasons, sports drafts, university rankings: marketing dressed as contests. The Voice is a scouting event. The Oscars is a marketing budget. The NFL Draft is a player development programme. The visible prize is almost never the real prize, and every leaderboard has an economy underneath it. What contest are you in?
Should the UK take Eurovision more seriously?
Your take. One tap, then see how everyone else voted.
Quick answers
Why does Sweden do so well at Eurovision?
It runs a six-week national selection, Melodifestivalen, so songs are tested by professional songwriters and 40% of the population, and treats the contest as a commercial pop launch.
How many people watched?
162 million, according to Huw.
What was Eurovision originally for?
To test live satellite broadcasting.
See you on the next one.
What should the next one be? Suggest a topic for Huw to explain
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