Eurovision 2024 sees massive ratings drop compared with last year
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest grand finale saw a big ratings drop compared to last year.
BBC One screened the annual get-together live from Sweden on Saturday (May 11) night, but nearly a quarter of UK viewers were lost when compared to the 2023 finale, which was held in Liverpool.
According to agency Digital i, an average of 7.64 million people in the UK watched the finale this year, with a peak of 8.46 million. Last year's finale had a 9.98 million average and an 11 million peak.
Related: Olly Alexander speaks out after his disappointing Eurovision result
This year's contest, which saw Switzerland win and the UK place 18th with 'nul points' from the public votes, has been controversial due to both the last-minute disqualification of the Netherlands and the inclusion of Israel.
The long-running conflict between Israel and Palestine reignited following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, which has led to recurring attacks by Israel. Ongoing calls for a ceasefire continue including from the UK, which voted for a ceasefire at the UN Security Council in March.
Some have called for the expulsion of Israel from Eurovision 2024, and some fans boycotted the event entirely.
Related: Eurovision winner Nemo breaks trophy minutes after being crowned
Eurovision competitors including UK's Olly Alexander made a statement calling for a ceasefire, and other celebrities have made similar calls, including Mean Girls’ Reńee Rapp, Euphoria star Hunter Schafer, and Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo. In February, Ruffalo told Deadline: "We've come to understand this bombing isn't working, we're not going to bomb our way to peace, and all we're saying is, what's wrong with giving a ceasefire a chance?"
Writer/director Jonathan Glazer also spoke out at the Oscars in March during his acceptance speech for Best International Feature for The Zone of Interest, which depicts a family living next door to a concentration camp in Auschwitz.
In his speech, he spoke about the dehumanisation of the time presented in the film, and how it is similar to ongoing situation today.
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