2000s
More and more countries, 43 by 2009, joined the Eurovision Song Contest family in the new millenium. The first former eastern European country succeeding winning the contest was Estonia with Tanel Padar and Dave Benton's Everybody in 2001 which was called a surprise victory, like the winning song from the year before - the Olsen Brothers' Fly On The Wings Of Love - and many winners to come.
Due to more participants every year the organizers had to come up with changes. The
European Broadcasting Union introduced a new rule in 2001: only the top 15 countries
and the so called 'Big Four' (Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and France) could
take part in the 2002 contest - alongside the the countries that had to stay at home for
the 2001 event.
In 2003, it was decided that a Semi-Final would be held in 2004 with only the so-called 'Big Four' (Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom) plus the ten most successful countries from the 2003 ranking having a guaranteed spot in the Final. All the other countries had to go through a Semi-Final, which was held on the Wednesday prior to the Eurovision Song Contest Final night on Saturday.
In 2008 two Semi-Finals were introduced. Only the 'Big Four' countries did not have to go through Semi-Finals, all other participating countries had to take part in one of the Semi-Finals, held on Tuesday and Thursday before the Final. Ten countries from every Semi-Final were awarded the chance to take part in the Final which still takes place on Saturday.
For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, an official CD and DVD were realeased this decade. Also, a new logo - hearts including the flag of all participating countries - was introduced in 2004 in Istanbul and replaced all the existing logos which were used before.
The contest in 2005 marked the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, which later in 2005 would see a gala Congratulations in Copenhagen to celebrate the birthday of this middle-aged but young/hearted lady, better known as the Eurovision Song Contest to millions of European television viewers.
Due to more participants every year the organizers had to come up with changes. The
European Broadcasting Union introduced a new rule in 2001: only the top 15 countries
and the so called 'Big Four' (Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and France) could
take part in the 2002 contest - alongside the the countries that had to stay at home for
the 2001 event.
In 2003, it was decided that a Semi-Final would be held in 2004 with only the so-called 'Big Four' (Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom) plus the ten most successful countries from the 2003 ranking having a guaranteed spot in the Final. All the other countries had to go through a Semi-Final, which was held on the Wednesday prior to the Eurovision Song Contest Final night on Saturday.
In 2008 two Semi-Finals were introduced. Only the 'Big Four' countries did not have to go through Semi-Finals, all other participating countries had to take part in one of the Semi-Finals, held on Tuesday and Thursday before the Final. Ten countries from every Semi-Final were awarded the chance to take part in the Final which still takes place on Saturday.
For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, an official CD and DVD were realeased this decade. Also, a new logo - hearts including the flag of all participating countries - was introduced in 2004 in Istanbul and replaced all the existing logos which were used before.
The contest in 2005 marked the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, which later in 2005 would see a gala Congratulations in Copenhagen to celebrate the birthday of this middle-aged but young/hearted lady, better known as the Eurovision Song Contest to millions of European television viewers.