Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest are trying to add suspense to the annual songfest by shaking up the voting system.
The European Broadcasting Union said Thursday that, starting this year, votes cast by countries' professional juries and by viewers will be announced separately — the latter only at the end of the show.
Until now, each country has presented a single set of votes, meaning it was often clear long before the end of the show which nation's entry would win as a song built an unassailable lead.
Biggest change to Eurovision Song Contest voting since 1975, read more at https://t.co/hdFI32cY4W #eurovision— Eurovision (@Eurovision) February 18, 2016
The EBU says the new system won't make the 3 1/2-hour show longer. Juries and viewers from every country will now separately award up to 12 points to songs.
Some fans are unconvinced.
New system of reporting #Eurovision votes means we won't have a clue as to what country is going to win until last votes... Bloody Swedes.— Adrian Kavanagh (@AdrianKavanagh) February 18, 2016
Initial hot take on #Eurovision voting changes: terrible. What keeps me awake during results is interest in the ordinary voters' choices.— Alice BevertonPalmer (@alicebeepea) February 18, 2016
Ah come on, nul points is a Eurovision tradition! https://t.co/M4v9EQ1bCN— Lewis Pringle (@lewispringle) February 18, 2016
Others were welcoming the overhaul.
Carefully studying the new #Eurovision voting rules to see if I approve. I think I do. Let's live dangerously!— Alan Mills (@alanmplantpot) February 18, 2016
This new #Eurovision voting shake-up is amazing. There's now a guaranteed moment of jeopardy which is necessary to make exciting live tv.— Sean Bookless (@seanbookless) February 18, 2016
This year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Stockholm on May 14.
Mashable added to this report.