Eurovision Song Contest

Oslo 1996

1996 · 1 episode · 3h 9m in all · 5.0/10

The 1996 Eurovision Song Contest moved to a new destination, after it had been in Ireland for the three preceding years. Norway's capital Oslo had the honour of hosting the contest for the first time.

Episodes

1. 

   1. Eurovision Song Contest 1996

   18 May 1996 · 189 min · 5.0/10

   In 1996, the EBU replaced its relegation system with an audio pre-selection. Juries listened to recordings from 29 countries to choose 22 finalists to join host Norway. Germany, Russia, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Romania, and FYR Macedonia all failed to qualify for the final in Oslo. The contest was groundbreaking, with host broadcaster NRK using virtual reality in the voting and digital filters during some performances. Each participant also received a televised good luck message from a political figure from their country, ranging from junior ministers to presidents. The show was briefly threatened by a conductor's strike after NRK planned to cut their on-screen appearances to save time, though the dispute was settled amicably. The hosts were Morten Harket, lead singer of A-ha, and journalist Ingvild Bryn.