12-06-2022, 10:22 PM
Personally, I do think a "UK Melodifestivalen" spin-off would struggle quite a bit.
Melodifestivalen in Sweden is effectively part of their music culture right now - there are still multiple songs from the show on Sweden's Sverigetopplistan (their charts), which is a testament to how popular the festival is in the country. What backs this up (as with most other Nordic national finals and even Sanremo) is a long history of this format, which everyone knows is linked to Eurovision, but people see it as its own distinct thing. Here, no national selection has been able to establish itself in the UK, thanks to the BBC frequently changing its name. X Factor and the other slew of mostly unnamed unremarkable talent shows has also firmly established within British audiences the idea that we look for a good vocalist. Breaking that mindset is a struggle, which the BBC faced themselves with Eurovision: You Decide. Even if ITV try and commission an show focusing on original songs by songwriters, people will inevitably focus on the vocals and it'll be the format's undoing.
Melodifestivalen in Sweden is effectively part of their music culture right now - there are still multiple songs from the show on Sweden's Sverigetopplistan (their charts), which is a testament to how popular the festival is in the country. What backs this up (as with most other Nordic national finals and even Sanremo) is a long history of this format, which everyone knows is linked to Eurovision, but people see it as its own distinct thing. Here, no national selection has been able to establish itself in the UK, thanks to the BBC frequently changing its name. X Factor and the other slew of mostly unnamed unremarkable talent shows has also firmly established within British audiences the idea that we look for a good vocalist. Breaking that mindset is a struggle, which the BBC faced themselves with Eurovision: You Decide. Even if ITV try and commission an show focusing on original songs by songwriters, people will inevitably focus on the vocals and it'll be the format's undoing.