I often get asked why the UK doesn\u2019t have to go through the process of qualifying each year. Automatic qualification is given to the members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) who are known as the “big four\u201d. You see it\u2019s these countries \u2013 France, Germany, Spain and the UK – who put the most money into the operations and innovations that the EBU develop for broadcasting around Europe. I do quite a lot of work with my students in relation to what the EBU do for us \u2013 and most of it is the invisible technological and telecommunication frameworks that have shaped our everyday experience of television, for well over 50 years. Without starting to actually sound like a media lecturer here, that is part of what is fascinating about the operations of the EBU and the importance of this media event to Europe.<\/p>\n
I know some will roll their eyes when they think of some of the dreadful songs and laughable entries that go to Eurovision each year (and the semi-final last night) but that, for me, is the charm of the Eurovision. The invisible innovation that the EBU introduce each year largely goes unnoticed (see previous point).<\/p>\n
If nothing else, participating European broadcasters demonstrate their strengths as public service broadcasters by throwing their hats into the ring each year. For many countries it would be too expensive without the financial investment in the technological infrastructure that the \u201cbig four\u201d provide \u2013 and it is for this reason that they are given a by into the final.<\/p>\n
There have been grumblings for sometime that this is unfair, but each year the EBU steering group recognize the investment that they provide, for all our enjoyment.<\/p>\n
That’s the science bit over. Simple pimple.<\/p>\n
So, with that in mind, here are the automatic finalists, whom we shall see perform on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
FRANCE: Et S’il Fallait Le Faire – Patricia Kaas<\/strong><\/p>\n