Across Europe, various broadcasters have revealed their viewing figures for the first semi final of Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam.
Norway (NRK)
In Norway, 70% of the viewing audience tuned into semi final 1, where we saw TIX bringing Norway to the grand final. The Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported an audience of 898,000 viewers for the show. This means around 20% of Norway’s population was watching Eurovision.
Viewing figures are up from 2019, when 678,000 people tuned in to see KEiiNO qualifying to the grand final in Tel Aviv. Stig Karlsen, Head of Delegation, has said of this: “This is the first time we leave with Norway’s biggest pop star at the top of his career. There is probably a lot of interest in Tix as an artist and the story and journey he has had in the last year.”
Czech Republic (ČT2)
106,000 viewers tuned in to the first semi final of Eurovision 2021, despite not competing in this particular semi. This is the highest audience share that the Czech Republic has reported for a semi final in which they’re not competing in. In 2019, 93,550 people watched semi final 2, on which the Czech Republic were not taking part.
Sweden (SVT)
A total of 1,562,000 tuned in to semi final 1, where Tusse brought Sweden in to the Eurovision final for a tenth consecutive year. The show became the most watched show in Sweden yesterday, May 18th, and the most watched Eurovision semi final since 2015.
The Netherlands (NPO1)
2.78 million people watched the first semi final of Eurovision 2021, giving the broadcaster a market share of 48.7%. A total of 5,403,000 watched at least one minute of the show, and it has become the most watched Eurovision semi final since 2016.
Germany (ONE)
Eurovision 2021 semi final 1 was the most watched semi final in Germany since 2016, with 700,000 people tuning in and an audience share of 4.1%. This years semi final sees an increase of 300,000 compared with semi final 1 in 2019.
Italy (RAI 4)
Eurofestival News have reported that Eurovision 2021 semi final 1 saw a 29% increase in viewers when compared to semi final 1 2019. 535,000 tuned in to the show, making it the most watched semi final since 2017 with a market share of 2.2%.
United Kingdom (BBC Four)
Overnights.tv have reported that 617,017 people watched the first semi final of Eurovision 2021 on BBC Four. This is the largest viewing figures since 2016 when 628,000 tuned in to semi final 2. This also shows us an increase of 17,000 from the semi final in 2019.
Are you surprised by any of these viewing figures? Do you think semi final 2 will be just as popular? Let us know in the comments below!
