Latvia: Spotify data to be used in Supernova 2017

Latvia is set to include data from the music streaming service Spotify in its selection competition, Supernova. Latvian public broadcaster LTV announced the cooperation with Spotify and Universal Music Group today. 

The decision makes Latvia the first country to incorporate the service in their national selection process. Latvian public broadcaster LTV announced the cooperation with Spotify and Universal Music Group today. Supernova producer Ilze Jansone stated, “With the involvement of Spotify in the competition, we have a chance to reach new listeners and include real data from music consumers in the voting results.”

Supernova finals are decided by 100% televote, and Jansone’s statements indicate that Spotify results will now be incorporated into this. Petri Mannonen, a member of the national jury and Universal Music Group representative, believes Spotify will help Latvia’s selection saying, “The more listens a song has on the Spotify streaming platform, the better chance it has to become a hit. That’s a fact.”

Supernova began in 2015, taking over from the previous selection show Dziesma. It has proved successful with Latvia earning a place in the Eurovision finals in 2015 and 2016, which had previously not occurred since 2008. Supernova 2017 is set to begin with the first heat taking place on 5 February and the final broadcasting 26 February.