The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was staged in Belgrade after Serbia's victory the previous year. The event brought together a large television audience and showcased popular music from across Europe and nearby countries. Broadcast to many territories, the competition was watched by hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

Format and dates

To accommodate a growing number of participating broadcasters, the 2008 contest used a two-semifinal system. The semifinals were held on May 20 and May 22, and the grand final followed on May 24. Under this system, a set number of qualifiers from each semifinal joined pre-qualified nations in the final, producing a large evening of live performances and voting.

Venue, hosts and participation

The shows were presented in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Broadcasters from dozens of countries took part: non-qualified acts performed in the semifinals while the automatic finalists — including the host nation and the major contributing broadcasters — went straight to the final. Overall participation reached over forty countries, reflecting the contest's wide geographic reach.

Competition and winner

The contest was won by Dima Bilan, representing Russia, with the song "Believe." The winning performance was notable for its dramatic staging and guest collaborators — including a live violin contribution — that helped the entry stand out on the night. The result was decided by combinations of national televoting and jury input, a system designed to balance public preference and professional judgment.

Broadcast impact and legacy

As a major live television event, the 2008 contest reached a very large audience and continued Eurovision's role as a cultural showcase. It marked the first year the two-semifinal format was used throughout, a change that shaped future editions by offering more artists a chance to appear on the international stage. The show also influenced staging trends, with elaborate visual and choreographic elements becoming increasingly prominent.

Key facts and notable points

  • Dates: semifinals on May 20 and May 22; final on May 24.
  • Winner: Dima Bilan for Russia with "Believe".
  • Host city: Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Viewing format: large televised event watched across multiple countries and platforms; a major television spectacle.

For those researching the contest's history, 2008 is remembered for both its expanded semifinal structure and a memorable winning performance that combined popular appeal with theatrical presentation. The changes introduced that year continued to influence how Eurovision organized and broadcast its competitions in subsequent editions.