VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey data show that the Russian interest in the Eurovision Song Contest is decreasing. But Russian candidate should go to Kiev anyway!

MOSCOW, March 14, 2017.  The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey describing the Russian attitudes towards the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest has long been popular in Russia; according to the data from the VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey, only 8% of Russians do not know what it is. Russians have positive and neutral attitudes towards the contest; 51% of them perceive it positively (56% in 2009), and 27% express neutral attitudes. There has been a two-fold increase in the share of negative assessments in 2017 (12%), compared to the 2009 assessments (5%). Disapproval is mainly expressed by men (18%) and persons aged 45-59 (17%).

Forty-one percent of respondents plan to watch the broadcast of the Eurovision Contest final. The potential viewers are mostly represented by women (52%) and respondents aged 60 and over (52%), whereas men (27%) express lesser interest. As to age groups, those who are unlikely to watch the final are respondents aged 35-44 (32%). Over the years the visibility of this song contest has decreased in Russia; whereas in 2009 the share of Russians who were going to watch the contest was 37%, today this share makes up 54%.

The percentage of respondents who support Russia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest which will take place in Ukraine this year is 64%; 30% oppose them (44% of CPRF supporters; 37% of retired respondents).

The Medialogia Company analysis suggests that the peak of mentions of the Eurovision Contest for the period 2014-2017 was in May 2016, when the Ukrainian singer Jamala won the 2016 Eurovision with her song “1944”. The Russian singer Sergey Lazarev takes third place with his “You Are The Only One” song. The second place is held by the Australian singer Dami Im with her “Sound of Silence” song. A total of 139265 publications were found over three years.

The Sputnik omnibus survey was conducted on March 7-8, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1200 respondents. Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey.  The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 In 2009, 2016 household surveys were carried out.

The Russian mass media analysis and monitoring of publication were carried out by the Medialogia Company using the Medialogia database including 26800 sources such as television, radio, newspaper, information agencies and online media. The period of study took place from March 2014 to March 2017.  

*in 2009 the question was as follows: “Are you going to watch the broadcast of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest final?” 

*In 2016, the question was as follows: “Next year, the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities say that they will not allow Russian singers to enter Ukraine for political reasons. In your opinion, should Russia participate in the Eurovision Song Contest?” 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.