Melodifestivalen (The Melody Festival) is an annual music competition organised by Swedish public broadcasters Sveriges Television (SVT) and Sveriges Radio (SR). It determines the country’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been staged almost every year since 1959. The competition is the most popular television programme in Sweden.

Melodifestivalen Final in Sweden, 12th March 2016

After Australia’s successful debut at Eurovision last year in Vienna, Sweden invited Australia to participate as one of the international juries that help determine the winner. A team of industry professionals chaired by Julia Zemiro deliberated on the final performances of the 12 acts, before Australia’s Eurovision co Head Of Delegation, Stephanie Werrett, delivered the results live on Swedish television this weekend.

Australia’s Eurovision co Head of Delegation, Stephanie Werrett, delivering the Australian Jury’s votes

Stephanie Werrett said “It was a real privilege for Australia to be asked to provide an international jury, along with 10 other countries. The final had 3.5 million viewers on national TV and the city pretty much shut down whilst it was on. The winner, Frans Jeppson Wall won 12,643,275 votes which is a new record and more than the population of Sweden!”

It was Frans who ultimately won the combined public and jury vote, which confirmed his place representing Sweden at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.

Frans, the winner of Melodifestivalen 2016 will represent Sweden at Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm

The 17 year old won 12,643,275 viewer votes, which is a new record. Frans is the youngest winner of the Swedish contest since 16 year old Carola Häggkvist won with “Främling” in 1983.
”If I Were Sorry” has also set a new streaming all time best in Sweden in one day with over 679K streams!

Congratulations Frans, and see you in Stockholm!