Eurovision Song Contest 2008: Difference between revisions

[[Radio Television of Serbia]] (RTS) gained the right to host the contest after "{{lang|sr-latn|[[Marija ŠerifovićMolitva]]|i=unset}}" wonperformed theby [[EurovisionMarija SongŠerifović]] Contestwon the {{escyr|2007||2007 contest]]}} in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]. SinceOn Serbia15 wasMay 2007, one day following the winnerfinal of the preceding2007 contest, RTS reported that it would host the 2008 contest wasin subsequently[[Belgrade]].<ref>{{cite heldnews there|title=Marija na evropskoj turneji |trans-title=Marija on a European tour |url=https://istorijskenovine.unilib.rs/view/index.html#panel:pp&#124;issue:UB_00064_20070515{{!}}page:12{{!}}query:evrosong%20evrosonga%20evroson |access-date=30 June 2024 |work=[[Borba (newspaper)|Borba]] |date=15 May 2007 |location=[[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]] |page=12 |language=Serbian |via=Pretraživa digitalna biblioteka}}</ref> The broadcaster chose the [[Štark Arena|Belgrade Arena]] in [[Belgrade]] was chosen as the venue for the contest,<ref name="Beogradska Arena">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=899&Itemid=239 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123211906/http://www.eurovision.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=899&Itemid=239 |archive-date=2007-11-23 |title=Welcome to Belgrade Arena. |publisher=Eurovision.tv |date=2007-05-13 |access-date=2007-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> andone is amongof the largest indoor arenas in Europe, with a total capacity of 25,000 seats.

Following the unilateral [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|Kosovo declaration of independence]] from Serbia on 17 February 2008, which has resulted in [[2008 protests against Kosovo declaration of independence|protests]] and unrest across the country, the locationhost of the event was considered to be changed.<ref name=change>{{cite web |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/the-end-of-a-decade-belgrade-2008|title=The end of a decade: Belgrade 2008|publisher=eurovision.tv|date=2009-12-31 |access-date=2020-04-06|archive-date=2 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802041632/https://eurovision.tv/story/the-end-of-a-decade-belgrade-2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Television Company of Ukraine]] (NTU) was considered an option since they came second in [[Eurovision Song Contest 2007]]. [[YLEYle]]isradio (YLE) were another option, as they hosted the previous year's competition in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10597 |title=Helsinki could host Eurovision again |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2008-02-22 |access-date=2008-02-22 |archive-date=25 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225151846/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10597 |url-status=live }}</ref> Greece's [[Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi]] (ERT) also offered the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU) to host the contest in [[Athens]], [[Greece]] again. It was later decided that the contest would stay in Belgrade, with the EBU giving support. RTS would gain a guarantee of safety and security from the government of Serbia for all visitors and participants of the contest.<ref name=change /> The delegations of [[{{esccnty|Albania]]|y=2008}}, [[{{esccnty|Croatia]]|y=2008}}, and [[{{esccnty|Israel]]|y=2008}} had special security.<ref name=ESC_Serbia>{{cite web |url=https://evrovizija.rs/2008-beograd/|title=2008. Beograd|publisher=evrovizija.rs |access-date=2020-04-06|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527072204/https://evrovizija.rs/2008-beograd/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the end, the contest was held without any incidents.<ref name=change /><ref name=ESC_Serbia />

== Participating countriesParticipants ==

On 21 December 2007, the EBU confirmed that 43 countries would be present in Belgrade.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9947 |title=43 Countries for Eurovision 2008 |publisher=ESCToday.com |access-date=2007-12-23 |archive-date=22 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222122516/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9947 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest{{esccnty|San Marino]]}}, as well as the newest [[European Broadcasting Union#Members|EBU]] member, [[Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest{{esccnty|Azerbaijan]]}}, made its debut at the 2008 contest. [[Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest{{esccnty|Austria]]}} did not compete; its broadcaster, {{lang|de|[[ORF (broadcaster)|ORFÖsterreichischer Rundfunk]]|i=no}} (ORF), said "we've already seen in 2007 that it's not the quality of the song, but the country of origin that determines the decision."<ref name="austria">{{cite news|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9678 |title=Austria will not go to Belgrade |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2007-11-20 |access-date=2007-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121003524/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9678 |archive-date=2007-11-21 }}</ref>

|+ Participants of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 participants<ref>{{cite web |title=Participants of Belgrade 2008 – Participants |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/participants |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323041720/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/participants |archive-date=23 March 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref><ref name="Participants" /><ref>{{cite web |title=2008 – 53rd edition |url=http://www.diggiloo.net/?2008 |website=diggiloo.net |access-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322042102/http://www.diggiloo.net/?2008 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Albania|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Andorra|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Armenia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Azerbaijan|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Belarus|1995|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Belgium|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Bulgaria|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Croatia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Cyprus|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Czech Republic|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Denmark|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Estonia|y=2008}}

| "{{lang|sr-latn|Leto svet|i=unset}}" <small>({{lang|sr-cyrl|Лето свет|i=unset}})</small>

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Finland|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|France|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Georgia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Germany|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Greece|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Hungary|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Iceland|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Ireland|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Israel|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Latvia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Lithuania|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Macedonia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Malta|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Moldova|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Montenegro|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Netherlands|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Norway|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Poland|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Portugal|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Romania|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Russia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|San Marino|1862|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Serbia|2004|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Slovenia|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Spain|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Sweden|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Switzerland|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Turkey|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|Ukraine|y=2008}}

! scope="row" | {{Esc|United Kingdom|y=2008}}

Active EBU member broadcasters in {{Esccnty|Austria}}, {{Esccnty|Monaco}}, {{Esccnty|Slovakia}}, and {{Esccnty|Tunisia}} confirmed non-participation prior to the announcement of the participants list by the EBU.<ref name="austria"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/9801/monaco_will_not_return_in_2008/ |title=Monaco will not return in 2008 |publisher=ESCToday |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=2007-12-06 |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417193234/https://esctoday.com/9801/monaco_will_not_return_in_2008/ |archive-date=2023-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9603 |title=Slovakia: No participation in Belgrade! |last=Kasapoglou |first=Yiorgos |date=2007-11-12 |publisher=ESCToday |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114003339/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9603 |archive-date=2007-11-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ESCToday Tunisia">{{cite web |url=http://esctoday.com/8864/tunisia_will_not_participate_in_the_forseeable_future/ |title=Tunisia will not participate "in the forseeable future" |first=Michael |last=Kuipers |date=2007-06-20 |website=ESCToday |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-date=2017-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015100205/http://esctoday.com/8864/tunisia_will_not_participate_in_the_forseeable_future/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Radio Television of Serbia|RTS]] ran a competition that led to the creation of the 2008 contest's branding, logo and the stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww1.rts.co.rs/euro/kategorija_vesti.asp?IDCategory=5 |title=Serbia 2008: THE WINNER OF THE LOCAL OPEN COMPETITION FOR THE SUBLOGO – CODE MAMA 2008 |publisher=RTS.co.yu |date=2007-07-05 |access-date=2007-07-05 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On 1 October 2007, the logo titled "Mama 2008" was announced as the winner among 455 submissions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://esctoday.com/9351/eurovision_2008_the_sublogo_competition_winner/ |title=Eurovision 2008: The sublogo competition winner |first=Stella |last=Floras |publisher=ESC Today |date=2007-10-01 |access-date=2023-07-06 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707164224/https://esctoday.com/9351/eurovision_2008_the_sublogo_competition_winner/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The stage design, titled "Confluence" was also declared as the winner among 70 submissions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eurovisionnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/eurovision-2008-stage-design-and.html |title=Eurovision 2008: The stage design and the sublogo |date=2007-10-06 |access-date=2023-07-06 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162331/http://eurovisionnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/eurovision-2008-stage-design-and.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, due to the negative responses to the design, the logo was subsequently changed, and the new logo was presented in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://esctoday.com/10305/eurovision_2008_new_logo_and_theme/ |title=Eurovision 2008: New logo and theme |first=Stella |last=Floras |publisher=ESC Today |date=2008-01-30 |access-date=2023-07-06 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706145728/https://esctoday.com/10305/eurovision_2008_new_logo_and_theme/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The stage design was also eventually changed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eurovisionnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/datalied-stage-image-of-2008-eurovision.html |title=Datalied stage image of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest |date=2007-10-10 |access-date=2023-07-06 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706145726/http://eurovisionnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/datalied-stage-image-of-2008-eurovision.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eurovisionary.com/eurovision-news/first-graphic-video-stage-published |title=First graphic video of the stage published |date=2008-03-26 |access-date=2023-07-06 |quote=This seems to be the final design of the stage and most of you will notice that it differs considerably from the first draft of the design. |archive-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706145910/https://eurovisionary.com/eurovision-news/first-graphic-video-stage-published |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to RTS the stage represented native identities, history and modern themes, symbols and universally recognised messages. The ''confluence''-themed stage also contained a large number of television and [[Liquid crystal display|LCD display screens]]. The stage had settings for all new electronic possibilities including some movable parts of the stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9410 |title=Eurovision 2008: Full stage image – The Sava, the Danube & Kalemegdan |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2007-10-10 |access-date=2007-10-10 |archive-date=12 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012013257/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9410 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was designed by Chicago-based David Cushing.

The grand final was based on the theme of the confluence. Construction of the stage lasted several days and was carried out by various teams from across Europe. [[Pyrotechnics]] were heavily used for the entries from [[{{esccnty|Armenia]]|y=2008}}, [[{{esccnty|Azerbaijan]]|y=2008}}, [[{{esccnty|Finland]]|y=2008}}, [[{{esccnty|Germany]]|y=2008}}, [[{{esccnty|Turkey]]|y=2008}}, the [[{{esccnty|Czech Republic]]|y=2008}}, [[{{esccnty|Bulgaria]]|y=2008}}, and [[{{esccnty|Switzerland]]|y=2008}}. The stage received positive feedback from the media and fans describing it as "one of the best looking stages in the history of the competition".{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}

The automatic grand finalist countries chose whether they would broadcast both semi-finals or just one, but viewers from these countries could only vote in one. From the draw conducted, it was decided which of the five grand finalist countries would broadcast and have voting rights in either of the events. The semi-finals were webcast live through Eurovision.tv. The top nine songs from the televoting qualified for the grand final, and a tenth was determined by the back-up juries. Twenty-five songs competed in the grand final.<ref name="Eurovision2008format">{{cite news |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9690 |title=Eurovision 2008 – format confirmed! |publisher=ESCToday.com |access-date=2007-11-24 |archive-date=23 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123121210/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9690 |url-status=live }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:1716.66%;"| Pot 1

! scope="col" style="width:16.66%;"| Pot 2

! scope="col" style="width:1716.66%;"| Pot 3

! scope="col" style="width:1716.66%;"| Pot 4

! scope="col" style="width:16.66%;"| Pot 5

! scope="col" style="width:1716.66%;"| Pot 6

The draw to decide the running order of the songs in each semi-final and the grand final was conducted at the Heads of Delegation meeting on 17 March 2008.<ref name="RunningOrderDraw">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=590 |title=Belgrade 2008: The running order! |author=Sietse Bakker |publisher=Eurovision.tv |date=2008-03-17 |access-date=2008-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318111354/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=590 |archive-date=2008-03-18 }}</ref>

|+ Results of the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=Belgrade 2008 – First Semi-Final of– Belgrade 2008Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172215/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

|+ Results of the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=Belgrade 2008 – Second Semi-Final of– Belgrade 2008Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172208/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

* the "[[Big Four (Eurovision)|Big Four]]" countries ({{Esccnty|France|y=2008}}, {{Esccnty|Germany|y=2008}}, {{Esccnty|Spain|y=2008}}, and the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom|y=2008}});

* the host country ({{Esccnty|Serbia|y=2008}});

|+ Results of the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=Belgrade 2008 – Grand Final of– Belgrade 2008Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172152/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Each participating broadcaster appointed a spokesperson who was responsible for announcing the votes for its respective country. The voting order and spokespersons during the grand final were as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/11990|title=Tonight's voting order|last=Floras|first=Stella|date=2009-11-24|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=29 November 2009|archive-date=20 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020004652/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/11990|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|United Kingdom}}{{snd}}[[Carrie Grant]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7403021.stm|title=Talking Shop: Carrie Grant|work=BBC News|access-date=2008-05-21 | date=2008-05-21|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928161942/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7403021.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|Germany}}{{snd}}[[Thomas Hermanns]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quotenmeter.de/index.php?newsid=27417|title=Schräg und schrill: Das Grand Prix-Fieber kehrt zurück|date=23 May 2008|publisher=quotenmeter.de|access-date=2008-05-23|archive-date=24 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524212556/http://www.quotenmeter.de/index.php?newsid=27417|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|Slovenia}}{{snd}}[[Peter Poles]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/zabava/modload.php?&c_mod=rnews&op=sections&func=read&c_menu=19&c_id=34339|title=Slovenia: Rebeka danes na poti v Beograd (Rebeka will today go to Belgrade)|publisher=RTVSLO.SI|access-date=2008-05-10|archive-date=22 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922041925/http://www.rtvslo.si/zabava/modload.php?&c_mod=rnews&op=sections&func=read&c_menu=19&c_id=34339|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|Netherlands}}{{snd}}[[Esther Hart (singer)|Esther Hart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10999|title=Esther Hart, the new Dutch spokeswoman|publisher=esctoday.com|access-date=2008-04-03|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828224730/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10999|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|Turkey}}{{snd}}Meltem Ersan Yazgan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/magazin/anasayfa/8990473.asp?top=1|title=Ötesi final|date=22 May 2008 |publisher=[[Hürriyet]]|access-date=2008-05-24|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141112/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/magazin/anasayfa/8990473.asp?top=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|Azerbaijan}}{{snd}}[[Leyla Aliyeva (presenter)|Leyla Aliyeva]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/?p=11297| title= Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan: Elnur, Samir & Ruslana in Istanbul |publisher="ESCToday.com|last=Floras|first=Stella |date=7 May 2008 |access-date=22 June 2012|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828164718/http://www.esctoday.com/?p=11297|url-status=live}}</ref>

# {{flagu|Finland}}{{snd}}[[Mikko Leppilampi]]<ref>{{cite web | title =Mikko and Jaana are back!| |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=753 | access-date = 2008-05-07 |archive-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823050458/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=753 |url-status=live}}</ref>

|+ Detailed voting results of semi-final 1<ref>{{cite web |title=ResultsBelgrade of2008 the– First Semi-Final of– BelgradeDetailed 2008voting results |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final/results |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423180356/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final/results |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Semi-Final (1) – Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1468#Scoreboard |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040358/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1468#Scoreboard |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

|+ Detailed voting results of semi-final 2<ref>{{cite web |title=ResultsBelgrade of2008 the– Second Semi-Final of– BelgradeDetailed 2008voting results |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final/results |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423180414/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final/results |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Semi-Final (2) – Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1470#Scoreboard |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040405/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1470#Scoreboard |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

|+ Detailed voting results of the final<ref>{{cite web |title=ResultsBelgrade of2008 the– Grand Final of– BelgradeDetailed 2008voting results |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final/results |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423180406/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final/results |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Final – Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1469#Scoreboard |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040401/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1469#Scoreboard |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Verbist |first1=Audrey |title=Aucune chance Belge à l'Eurovision? |url=https://www.lavenir.net/culture/musique/2008/05/20/aucune-chance-belge-a-leurovision-HEDQGUFEXBAULDQSXY6AQ6R654/ |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[L'Avenir (Belgian newspaper)|L'Avenir]] |date=20 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216145411/https://www.lavenir.net/culture/musique/2008/05/20/aucune-chance-belge-a-leurovision-HEDQGUFEXBAULDQSXY6AQ6R654/ |archive-date=16 February 2023 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Televisie buitenland – zaterdag 24 mei 2008 |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-24/edition/null/page/171 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant]] |date=24 May 2008 |language=nl |page=61 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216150355/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-24/edition/null/page/171 |url-status=live }}</ref>

| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite news |title=Televizija – utorak 20.5.2008 |url=https://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/pvpages/pvpages/viewPage/?pv_page_id=324649 |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=[[Slobodna Dalmacija]] |date=20 May 2008 |page=62 |language=hr |location=[[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Croatia]] |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215174749/https://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/pvpages/pvpages/viewPage/?pv_page_id=324649 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Televizija – četvrtak 22.5.2008 |url=https://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/pvpages/pvpages/viewPage/?pv_page_id=324883 |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=[[Slobodna Dalmacija]] |date=22 May 2008 |page=54 |language=hr |location=[[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Croatia]] |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215174727/https://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/pvpages/pvpages/viewPage/?pv_page_id=324883 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Televizija – subota 24.5.2008 |url=https://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/pvpages/pvpages/viewPage/?pv_page_id=325176 |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=[[Slobodna Dalmacija]] |date=24 May 2008 |page=62 |language=hr |location=[[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Croatia]] |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215174738/https://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/pvpages/pvpages/viewPage/?pv_page_id=325176 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[ČT2]]{{efn|Deferred broadcast of semi-final 1 on 21 May at 01:30 ([[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] (20 May, 23:30 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])<ref name="Czech" />}}

| [[DR1]]{{efn|Deferred broadcast of semi-final 1 on 21 May at 22:00 ([[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] (20:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])<ref name="Denmark" />}}

| NikolaiNicolai Molbech

| <ref>{{cite news |title=Raadiokava |url=https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=koit20080517.1.20&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7ctxTI%7ctxAU%7ctxTA------------- |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=Koit Nädal |date=17 May 2008 |location=[[Põlva]], Estonia |page=12 |language=et |via=DIGAR Eesti artiklid |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418212126/https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=koit20080517.1.20&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7CtxTI%7CtxAU%7CtxTA------------- |url-status=live }}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite news |title=TV2 – 20.5.2008 |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004570890.html |access-date=4 January 2023 |work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |date=20 May 2008 |language=fi}} {{|archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104114720/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004570890.html |url-access=subscription required|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TV2 – 22.5.2008 |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004571397.html |access-date=4 January 2023 |work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |date=22 May 2008 |language=fi}} {{|archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104114714/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004571397.html |url-access=subscription required|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TV2 – 24.5.2008 |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004571954.html |access-date=4 January 2023 |work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |date=24 May 2008 |language=fi}} {{|archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104114712/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004571954.html |url-access=subscription required|url-status=live}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite news |title=FST5TV-programmet – tisdag 20.5.2008 maj |trans-title=TV programmes – Tuesday 20 May |url=httpshttp://wwwepaper.hsnyan.fiax/kotimaaearkiv/art2008/05-200000457089320/full.htmlpdf |access-date=418 JanuaryNovember 20232024 |work=[[HelsinginNya SanomatÅland]] |location=[[Mariehamn]], Åland |date=20 May 2008 |language=fi}}sv {{subscription required|page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=FST5TV-programmet – torsdag 22.5.2008 maj |trans-title=TV programmes – Thursday 22 May |url=httpshttp://wwwepaper.hsnyan.fiax/kotimaaearkiv/art2008/05-200000457140022/full.htmlpdf |access-date=418 JanuaryNovember 20232024 |work=[[HelsinginNya SanomatÅland]] |location=[[Mariehamn]], Åland |date=22 May 2008 |language=fi}}sv {{subscription required|page=25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=FST5TV-programmet – lördag 24.5.2008 maj |trans-title=TV programmes – Saturday 24 May |url=httpshttp://wwwepaper.hsnyan.fiax/kotimaaearkiv/art2008/05-200000457195724/full.htmlpdf |access-date=418 JanuaryNovember 20232024 |work=[[HelsinginNya SanomatÅland]] |location=[[Mariehamn]], Åland |date=24 May 2008 |language=fi}}sv {{subscription required|page=25}}</ref>

| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite news |title=YLE Radio – 20.5.2008 |url=https://www.hs.fi/radiotelevisio/art-2000004570902.html |access-date=4 January 2023 |work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |date=20 May 2008 |language=fi}} {{|archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104114724/https://www.hs.fi/radiotelevisio/art-2000004570902.html |url-access=subscription required|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=YLE Radio – 22.5.2008 |url=https://www.hs.fi/radiotelevisio/art-2000004571410.html |access-date=4 January 2023 |work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |date=22 May 2008 |language=fi}} {{|archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104114717/https://www.hs.fi/radiotelevisio/art-2000004571410.html |url-access=subscription required|url-status=live}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite webnews |last1=Hatzinopoulos |first1=Gabriel |title=Καπουτζίδης- Κοζάκου επιστρέφουν στον σχολιασμό της Eurovision |work=Thestival |url=https://www.thestival.gr/eidiseis/vouleutikes-ekloges/436020-kapoutzidis-kozakoy-epistrefoyn-ston-sxoliasmo-tis-eurovision/ |publisher=Thestival |access-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221161711/https://www.thestival.gr/eidiseis/vouleutikes-ekloges/436020-kapoutzidis-kozakoy-epistrefoyn-ston-sxoliasmo-tis-eurovision/ |archive-date=21 February 2023 |language=el |date=15 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

| {{ill|[[Sigmar Guðmundsson|is}}]]

| <ref>{{cite news |title=Eurovision 2008 – Röð keppenda |trans-title=Eurovision 2008 – List of contestants |url=https://timarit.is/page/4190427#page/n0/mode/2up |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=20 May 2008 |location=[[Reykjavík]], Iceland |language=is |via=[[Timarit.is]]}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-20&kanal=tvcg2|title=Utorak, 20. maj 2008.|trans-title=Tuesday, 20 May 2008|publisher=TVCG 2|access-date=2023-06-27|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175700/https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-20&kanal=tvcg2|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-22&kanal=tvcg2|title=Četvrtak. 22 maj 2008.|trans-title=Thursday, 22 May 2008|publisher=TVCG 2|access-date=2023-06-27|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175700/https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-22&kanal=tvcg2|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-24&kanal=tvcg1|title=Subota, 24. maj 2008.|trans-title=Saturday, 24 May 2008|publisher=TVCG 1|access-date=2023-06-27|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175700/https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-24&kanal=tvcg1|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-20&kanal=tvcg-sat|title=Utorak, 20. maj 2008.|trans-title=Tuesday, 20 May 2008|publisher=TVCG MNE|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-20&kanal=tvcg-sat|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-22&kanal=tvcg-sat|title=Četvrtak, 22. maj 2008.|trans-title=Thursday, 22 May 2008|publisher=TVCG MNE|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-22&kanal=tvcg-sat|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-24&kanal=tvcg-sat|title=Subota, 24. maj 2008.|trans-title=Saturday, 24 May 2008|publisher=TVCG MNE|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-24&kanal=tvcg-sat|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite news |last=Breure |first=Bernice |title='Songfestival meer kermis dan ooit' |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-17/edition/null/page/170 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant]] |date=17 May 2008 |language=nl |page=50 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216150349/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-17/edition/null/page/170 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Televisie – dinsdag 20 mei 2008 |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-20/edition/null/page/40 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant]] |date=20 May 2008 |language=nl |page=38 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216150346/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-20/edition/null/page/40 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Televisie – donderdag 22 mei 2008 |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-22/edition/null/page/48 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant]] |date=22 May 2008 |language=nl |page=46 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216150344/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-22/edition/null/page/48 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Televisie – donderdag 24 mei 2008 |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-24/edition/null/page/170 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant]] |date=24 May 2008 |language=nl |page=60 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216150352/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2008-05-24/edition/null/page/170 |url-status=live }}</ref>

| rowspan="2" | <ref name="Scandi">{{cite news |title=På TV – lørdag 24. mai |url=https://www.nb.no/items/d3e065baa3810b595760c0ee980082fb?page=59 |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=[[Rogalands Avis]] |date=24 May 2008 |language=no |location=[[Stavanger]], Norway |pages=60–61 |via=[[National Library of Norway]] |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418212122/https://www.nb.no/items/d3e065baa3810b595760c0ee980082fb?page=59 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Scandi semi1">{{cite news |title=På TV – tirsdag 20. mai |url=https://www.nb.no/items/dcc04f42c07543734b4b70ebaaa6e191?page=45 |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=[[Rogalands Avis]] |date=20 May 2008 |language=no |location=[[Stavanger]], Norway |pages=46–47 |via=[[National Library of Norway]] |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418213637/https://www.nb.no/items/dcc04f42c07543734b4b70ebaaa6e191?page=45 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Scandi semi2">{{cite news |title=Radio & TV – torsdag 22. mai 2008 |url=https://www.nb.no/items/f5a3c982535c5ecaa1d51040b7ace95d?page=49 |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=[[Dagsavisen]] |date=22 May 2008 |language=no |location=[[Oslo]], Norway |pages=48–50 |via=[[National Library of Norway]] |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418213633/https://www.nb.no/items/f5a3c982535c5ecaa1d51040b7ace95d?page=49 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Evensen |first1=Geir |title=Hanne Hoftun blir MGP-kommentator |url=https://www.nrk.no/mgp/hanne-hoftun-blir-mgp-kommentator-1.5331909 |publisher=[[NRK]] |access-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120132059/http://www.nrk.no/mgp/hanne-hoftun-blir-mgp-kommentator-1.5331909 |archive-date=20 January 2016 |date=8 April 2008 |language=no |url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[Russia-1|Telekanal Rossiya]], {{lang|ru-latn|[[RTR Planeta]]|i=unset}}

| <ref>{{cite web |title='Евровидение-2008'. Международный конкурс исполнителей |url=http://www.rutv.ru/tvpreg.html?id=119388&d=0 |publisher=[[Russia-1]] |access-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517102353/http://www.rutv.ru/tvpreg.html?id=119388&d=0 |archive-date=17 May 2008 |language=ru |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vene kavad |url=https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=koit20080517.1.19&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7ctxTI%7ctxAU%7ctxTA------------- |access-date=15 February 2023 |work=Koit Nädal |date=17 May 2008 |location=[[Põlva]], Estonia |page=11 |language=et |via=DIGAR Eesti artiklid |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418212127/https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=koit20080517.1.19&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7CtxTI%7CtxAU%7CtxTA------------- |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Всероссийская пруха |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/896918 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=[[Kommersant]] |date=28 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725185905/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/896918 |archive-date=25 July 2014 |language=ru |url-status=live}}</ref>

| <ref>{{cite web |title=Одржано прво полуфинале |url=https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/ci/Pesma+Evrovizije/eurosong2008/story/48/vesti/687/odrzano-prvo-polufinale.html |publisher=[[Radio Television of Serbia|RTS]] |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220163527/https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/ci/Pesma%2BEvrovizije/eurosong2008/story/48/vesti/687/odrzano-prvo-polufinale.html |archive-date=20 February 2023 |language=sr |date=20 May 2008 |url-status=livedead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Песма Евровизије 2008 – Финале |url=https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/ci/Pesma+Evrovizije/eurosong2008/story/48/vesti/693/pesma-evrovizije-2008--finale.html |publisher=[[Radio Television of Serbia|RTS]] |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220163527/https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/ci/Pesma%2BEvrovizije/eurosong2008/story/48/vesti/693/pesma-evrovizije-2008--finale.html |archive-date=20 February 2023 |language=sr |date=24 May 2008 |url-status=livedead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-24&kanal=rts-sat|title=Subota, 24. maj 2008.|trans-title=Saturday, 24 May 2008|publisher=RTS Sat|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2008-5-24&kanal=rts-sat|url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>[https://www.evropesma.org/2014/12/preminuo-mladen-popovic/ Preminuo Mladen Popović]</ref>

| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite AV media | date = 20 May 2008 | title = Semifinal Festival Eurovisión 2008 | type = Television programme | language = en, es | url = https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/eurovision/festival-eurovision-2008/86977/ | access-date = 17 February 2023 | publisher = [[RTVE]] | archive-date = 17 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217110100/https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/eurovision/festival-eurovision-2008/86977/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Guía para no perderse nada de Eurovisión |url=http://www.eurovision2008.rtve.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=224&Itemid=41 |publisher=[[RTVE]] |access-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526085427/http://www.eurovision2008.rtve.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=224&Itemid=41 |archive-date=26 May 2008 |language=es |date=24 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Uribarri vuelve a ser la voz de Eurovisión cuatro años después |url=https://vertele.eldiario.es/videos/actualidad/uribarri-vuelve-eurovision-anos-despues_1_7776347.html |publisher=verTele! |access-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217102414/https://vertele.eldiario.es/videos/actualidad/uribarri-vuelve-eurovision-anos-despues_1_7776347.html |archive-date=17 February 2023 |language=es |date=24 May 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

| {{NSF2/A|}}Final

| <ref>{{cite news |title=TV&Radio |work=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |date=22 May 2002 |location=[[Stockholm]], Sweden |page=25 |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TV&Radio |work=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |date=24 May 2002 |location=[[Stockholm]], Sweden |page=37 |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Swedes stay at home with Eurovision fever |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20090516/19492/ |publisher=[[The Local|The Local Sweden]] |access-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103063059/http://www.thelocal.se/20090516/19492 |archive-date=3 November 2013 |date=16 May 2009 |url-statusaccess=live}} {{subscription required|url-status=live}}</ref>

| <ref name="TV8 démi2">{{cite news |title=Jeudi 22 mai |url=https://www.scriptorium.bcu-lausanne.ch/zoom/323247/view?page=33&p=verso&tool=info&view=0,0,5170,3623 |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=TV8 |publisher=[[Ringier]] |date=15 May 2008 |location=[[Zofingen]], Switzerland |pages=64–70 |language=fr |via=[[Scriptorium Digital Library(website)|Scriptorium]]}}</ref><ref name="TV8">{{cite news |title=Samedi 24 mai |url=https://www.scriptorium.bcu-lausanne.ch/zoom/323226/view?page=13&p=verso&tool=info&view=606,1857,2626,1014 |access-date=5 February 2023 |work=TV8 |publisher=[[Ringier]] |date=22 May 2008 |location=[[Zofingen]], Switzerland |pages=24–30 |language=fr |via=[[Scriptorium Digital Library(website)|Scriptorium]]}}</ref>

| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite news |title=Télévision / jeudi 22 mai 2008 |url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=IMP20080522-01 |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=[[L'Impartial]] |date=22 May 2008 |location=[[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], Switzerland |page=38 |language=fr |via=[[e-newspaperarchives.ch]] |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524160640/https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=IMP20080522-01 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Télévision / samedi 24 mai 2008 |url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=IMP20080524-01 |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=[[L'Impartial]] |date=24 May 2008 |location=[[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], Switzerland |page=38 |language=fr |via=[[e-newspaperarchives.ch]] |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524160547/https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=IMP20080524-01 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 |url=http://www2.rtsi.ch/eurovision/ |publisher=[[Radiotelevisione svizzera|RTSI]] |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216073206/http://www2.rtsi.ch/eurovision/ |archive-date=16 February 2009 |language=it |url-status=dead}}</ref>

| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{cite press release |date=2 May 2008 |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 – BBC coverage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/05_may/02/eurovision_coverage.shtml |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518114901/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/05_may/02/eurovision_coverage.shtml |archive-date=18 May 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBCHD">{{cite news |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 – BBC HD |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/dc05fb9994b940f49b11ed16f7736c18 |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=24 May 2008 |via=[[BBC Genome Project]] |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209142525/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/dc05fb9994b940f49b11ed16f7736c18 |url-status=live }}</ref>

| [[Sir Terry Wogan]]

| rowspan="2" | <ref name="Australia">{{cite news |title=Torres News TV Guide |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/28123002 |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=[[Torres News]] |date=21 May 2008 |location=[[Thursday Island]], [[Queensland]], Australia |page=6 |via=[[Trove]] |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209110010/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/28123002 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TVtonight" />

* {{flagflagu|Australia}} – Although Australia was not eligible to enter, the contest was broadcast on [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]. The first semi-final was broadcast on Friday 23 May at 19:30 local time, with the second semi-final on Saturday 24 May 2008 at 19:30 local time, and the Final on Sunday 25 May 2008 at 19:30 local time,<ref name="Australia" /><ref name="TVtonight">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/04/eurovision-one-month-and-counting.html |title=Australia: SBS to air both Eurovision semi finals |publisher=TVtonight.com.au |date=2008-04-26 |access-date=2008-04-26 |archive-date=1 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501083555/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/04/eurovision-one-month-and-counting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> amongst a weekend of Eurovision-themed programming.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Simone |title=Eurovision 2008 |work=The Vine |publisher=Fairfax Digital |date=2008-05-23 |url=http://www.thevine.com.au/entertainment/photos/eurovision-2008.aspx |access-date=2008-05-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080812073539/http://www.thevine.com.au/entertainment/photos/eurovision-2008.aspx |archive-date=2008-08-12 }}</ref> SBS local host [[Julia Zemiro]] provided introductory and concluding segments with SBS otherwise broadcasting the BBC's coverage and commentary.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Sarah |title=Top of the Euro pops |work=Courier Mail |publisher=news.com.au |date=2008-05-21 |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23729009-5003422,00.html |access-date=2008-05-26 |archive-date=29 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529065901/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23729009-5003422,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In recent years the contest has been one of [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS's]] highest-rating programmes in terms of viewer numbers. The grand final rated well for SBS with 427,000 viewers tuning in for the grand final with 421,000 for the second semi-final and 272,000 for the first semi-final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/05/ |title=The Who We Are update: week 24 |publisher=smh.com.au |date=2008-05-26 |access-date=2008-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712215904/http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/05/ |archive-date=2011-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

*{{flagflagu|Austria}} – In Austria, [[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]] broadcast the contest live and received high TV ratings. However, it did not broadcast the semi-finals on 20 and 22 May.

* {{flagflagu|Gibraltar}} – Gibraltar screened only the final on [[Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation|GBC]].<ref name="Gibraltar" />

* {{flagflagu|Italy}} – No Italian broadcaster proper showed the contest, but San Marinese [[San Marino RTV|SMRTV]], which broadcast live the full event on both TV and radio, is available in some parts of Italy: [[Romagna]] (and a small part of [[Emilia (region of Italy)|Emilia]], including [[Bologna]]), northern [[Marche]], and southern [[Veneto]], including [[Venice]].<ref name="Eurofestival2008" />

The [[Marcel Bezençon Awards]], organised since 2002 by Sweden's then-Head of Delegation and 1992 representative [[Christer Björkman]], and 1984 winner [[Herreys|Richard Herrey]], honours songs in the contest's final.<ref name="Bezençon">{{cite web|url=http://poplight.zitiz.se/marcelbezenconaward/en |title=Marcel Bezençon Award – an introduction |publisher=Poplight |access-date=2009-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017033001/http://poplight.zitiz.se/marcelbezenconaward/en |archive-date=2013-10-17 }}</ref> For the only time, the awards were divided into four categories: Artistic Award which was voted by [[List of Eurovision Song Contest winners|previous winners]] of the contest, Composers Award, Poplight Fan Award which was voted by fans on the Swedish website poplight.se, and Press Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10840|title=Marcel Bezençon Award for fans|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2008-03-11|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-06-02|archive-date=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527062451/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10840|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marcel Bezençon Awards–Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards/ |website=eurovision.tv |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716092347/https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[OGAE]], an organisation of over forty Eurovision Song Contest fan clubs across Europe and beyond, conducts an annual voting poll first held in 2002 as the Marcel Bezençon Fan Award. After all votes were cast, the top-ranked entry in the 2008 poll was Sweden's "[[Hero (Charlotte Perrelli song)|Hero]]" performed by [[Charlotte Perrelli]]; the top five results are shown below.<ref name="OGAE Clubs">{{cite web|title=Eurovision Fanclub Network|url=http://www.ogae.net/|publisher=OGAE|access-date=15 June 2012|archive-date=19 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419213155/http://www.ogae.net/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Members>{{cite web|url=http://www.euroviisuklubi.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=8&Itemid=41|title=Klubi-info: Mikä ihmeen OGAE?|publisher=OGAE Finland|access-date=17 June 2012|date=5 June 2012|language=fi|trans-title=The club info: What on Earth is OGAE?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127121744/http://www.euroviisuklubi.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=8&Itemid=41|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/11783|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080924192446/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/11783|archive-date = 24 September 2008|title = Eurovision Song Contest 2022 news by esctoday - Turin Italy}}</ref>

| "{{lang|sr-latn|[[Oro (Jelena Tomašević song)|Oro]]|i=unset}}"

'''''Eurovision Song Contest: Belgrade 2008''''' was the official compilation album of the 2008 contest, put together by the European Broadcasting Union and released by [[EMI Records]] and [[CMC International]] on 12 May 2008.The album featured all 43 songs that entered in the 2008 contest, including the semi-finalists that failed to qualify into the grand final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest: Belgrade 2008|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurovision-Song-Contest-Belgrade-2008/dp/B0017YYEKK|website=amazon.co.uk|publisher=Amazon|access-date=5 November 2014|quote=Product detail: release date 12 May 2008|archive-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105224932/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurovision-Song-Contest-Belgrade-2008/dp/B0017YYEKK|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Commons|Eurovision Song Contest 2008}}

[[Category:May 2008 events in Europe]]