The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 has set new benchmarks in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences across the globe through television and digital platforms. This year’s event, hosted by Sveriges Television (SVT) in Malmö, Sweden, witnessed unparalleled engagement, with 163 million viewers tuning in via public service media channels. The record-breaking viewership, combined with substantial digital interactions, highlights the Contest’s universal appeal and growing popularity.
Unprecedented Global Reach
The Eurovision Song Contest has always been a spectacle of immense global interest, and 2024 was no exception. Viewers from 156 countries participated by casting their votes, reflecting the Contest’s extensive international reach. This global enthusiasm was particularly evident in the youth demographic, which recorded the highest audience share to date.
The Grand Final’s viewing share soared to 46.7%, the highest since 2006, nearly tripling the average for broadcast channels. Among viewers aged 15-24, the viewing share was an impressive 58.6%, underscoring Eurovision’s strong resonance with younger audiences.
Dominance on Digital Platforms
The digital footprint of Eurovision 2024 was nothing short of spectacular. TikTok, the official entertainment partner, played a crucial role in amplifying the Contest’s reach. The hashtag #Eurovision2024 amassed an extraordinary 6.5 billion views, a 1.7 billion increase from the previous year. Nearly 500 million accounts were engaged on TikTok, marking a fourfold increase from 2023.
On Spotify, the official Eurovision Song Contest 2024 playlist emerged as the most-streamed globally, while also securing a spot in the Top 10 Apple Music playlists worldwide. This surge in music streaming is a testament to the Contest’s significant impact on global music consumption trends.
Remarkable Television Viewership
In Sweden, the host nation, the Grand Final attracted 2.3 million viewers, with a viewing share of 87.3%, the highest for Eurovision since 2000. Switzerland, the victorious nation this year, saw a 40% increase in viewership, with an average audience of 723,000 across its three linguistic regions.
Germany recorded the highest viewership for the Grand Final, with 8.1 million viewers, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 7.7 million. France also saw a significant rise, with 5.4 million viewers, an increase of 1.9 million from the previous year.
Record-Breaking Online Engagement
Eurovision 2024’s online presence was marked by exceptional engagement. The Contest reached 486 million unique accounts on TikTok and recorded 538 million video views on its official account, up 71% year-on-year. Instagram also saw a substantial increase, with 69 million unique accounts reached and videos viewed 479 million times.
The official Eurovision YouTube channel attracted 42 million unique viewers from 231 countries and territories during the week of the live shows. The Grand Final saw concurrent YouTube views peak at 1.6 million, a 17.8% increase from 2023.
Widespread Voting Participation
This year, public voting was open to non-participating countries before the three live shows, resulting in votes from 156 countries, 12 more than the previous year. Notably, the USA, Canada, Romania, Mexico, UAE, Turkey, South Africa, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria were among the top voting countries outside the participating nations.
Social Media and App Interaction
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 saw impressive activity across various digital platforms. The Reddit community for Eurovision experienced a 71.8% increase in screen views and a 27.8% rise in engagement. The newly launched Eurovision Song Contest app attracted 2.5 million users, further highlighting the Contest’s broad appeal.
Musical Impact
Eurovision continues to influence the global music scene significantly. In the week following the Grand Final, nine entries were featured in the ESNS Radar Radio Airplay Chart Top 100. The winning song, “The Code” by Nemo, reached the Daily Top 100 on Apple Music in 44 countries, including 13 where it secured the No. 1 spot. The song also garnered extensive radio play and was the most-Shazamed song during the live Grand Final.
Malmö’s Success as Host City
Malmö saw a significant influx of visitors, with 82,000 attending the Eurovision Village. Fans from 92 countries purchased tickets for the nine shows, which included dress rehearsals and live broadcasts. Over 1,100 journalists from 54 countries were accredited to cover the event on-site, showcasing the global media interest in Eurovision 2024.
Conclusion
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 has not only broken numerous records but also reinforced its position as a global cultural phenomenon. With millions of viewers, extensive online engagement, and a profound impact on the music industry, Eurovision continues to unite people worldwide through the power of music. The success of this year’s Contest in Malmö sets a high bar for future editions, promising even greater engagement and entertainment in the years to come.
Source: EBU
