Sweden: Ace Wilder and Robin Bengtsson to the final

This years Melodifestivalen has begun! The first heat (deltävling) had two winners directly qualified for the final: Ace Wilder and Robin Bengtsson and two acts for the "second chance": Samir & Viktor and Albin & Mattias Andréasson.

Only seven contestants were in the first heat, unlike the other heats where eight contestants will compete. The reason is, that Anna Book was disqualified earlier this week, because her song "Himmel för två" previously participated in Moldova's pre-selection two years ago. Back then the song was named "Taking Care Of A Broken Heart", performed by Felicia Dunaf. But it didn't made it to the final.

The first show was hosted by Gina Dirawi with the help from Petra Mede. Petra Mede hosted Melodifestivalen 2009, Eurovision Song Contest 2013 and Eurovision Song Contest Greatest Hits 2015 together with Graham Norton.

Like the previous years the votes will not be unveiled before the Final of Melodifestivalen 12 March 2016.

Melodifestivalen 2016 Heat 1

Deltävling 1, Göteborg, 6 February 2016

• Robin Bengtsson – "Constellation Price" (Final)
• Ace Wilder – "Don't Worry" (Final)
• Samir & Viktor – "Bada nakna" (Second chance)
• Albin & Mattias Andréasson – "Rik" (Second chance)
• Pernilla Andersson – "Mitt guld"
• Mimi Werner – "Ain't No Good"
• Anna Book – "Himmel för två" (Disqualified)

Second chance:

Out:

Melodifestivalen 2016

• 6 February: Melodifestivalen Deltävling 1, Gothenburg (Scandinavium)
• 13 February: Melodifestivalen Deltävling 2, Malmö (Malmö Arena)
• 20 February: Melodifestivalen Deltävling 3, Norrköping (Himmelstalundshallen)
• 27 February: Melodifestivalen Deltävling 4, Gävle (Gavlerinken Arena)
• 5 March: Melodifestivalen Second Chance, Halmstad (Halmstad Arena)
• 12 March: Melodifestivalen Final, Stockholm (Friends Arena)

All the shows will be hosted by Gina Dirawi accompanied by various guest hosts.
The format for Melodifestivalen 2016 is the same as last year:
Each of the 4 heats qualifies 2 songs directly to the final
Each of the 4 heats qualifies 2 songs to the "second chance"-show
In the "second chance" 4 songs will be selected for the final

Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest

Since 1958 Sweden has participated 55 times in Eurovision Song Contest with great succes. They have won the contest 6 times:

• 1974: Abba - "Waterloo"
• 1984: Herreys - "Diggi-loo Diggy-ley"
• 1991: Carola - "Fångad Av En Stormvind"
• 1999: Charlotte Nilsson - "Take Me To Your Heaven"
• 2012: Loreen - "Euphoria"
• 2015: Måns Zelmerlöw - "Heroes"

They came last two times ( 1963 and 1977), and since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004 Sweden managed to qualify for the Grand Final 11 out of 12 times! (only skipped the qualification in 2010).