[Beanie]

Not exactly straightforward!

In an interview Svante Stockselius revealed more details about the two semi-final format to be used in 2008. On January 28, 2008, based on research conducted by the EBU’s tele-voting partner Digame, the semi-finalists will be sorted into the two heats through the drawing of lots, which will be seeded to keep countries that have a significant history of voting for each other apart. Each broadcaster will have to broadcast the semi-final they are taking part in, with the broadcasting of the other semi-final being optional.

The automatic finalist countries will broadcast both semi-finals, but viewers from these countries may only vote in one. By draw, also in January 2008, it will be decided which two of the Big Four county's viewers will vote in the first semi-final, and which two in the second semi-final. A separate draw will determine in which semi-final the host country's viewers will be able to vote. The semi-finals will be webcasted live through Eurovision.tv.[14] The top nine songs from the televoting will qualify for the final, and a tenth will be determined by the back-up juries. Twenty-five songs will compete in the final.[2]