It looks like our statistical analysis of the semi final draw last week has caused a lot of conversation online (especially on Facebook), with some people loving the idea, and others accusing us of spoiling the fun. But one of our Juke Box Jury judges, Elaine Dove, fees very strongly on the issues raised.

We have the first draw for the semi-final, confirmation of our venue, news on the Hotel, two more confirmed songs, and news from around Europe. All in this week’s news from the world of Eurovision.

With the first draw for the semi finals made, it’s time to look at the countries that will be facing and voting for each other on the 22nd and 24th of May in our host city of Baku. And that means introducing Eurovision to the world of sabermetrics.

Who would have thought that what started as a childhood hobby would turn into something which would have such an impact upon my education and essentially my professional development? Not me – at least, not then!

Results from last week’s National Finals, news on the heats and finals going on this week, the complete entry list to Eurovision 2012 and music from Erica Mou. This week’s podcast, hosted as always by Ewan Spence.

We have our entry list, and the forty three countries who have submitted an application are known. As Eurovision 2012 takes shape, what’s drawing the attention of the ESC Insight team?

There’s National Final action every weekend from now until the middle of March when we will know all the song for Eurovision 2012. So what’s the state of play this week? With music from Greta Salome and Jonsi.

We continue to ask our writers the question “Why Eurovision?”, and now it’s the turn of ESC Insight’s editor, Ewan Spence. And it all starts with a cowboy, a black & white television, and Sally Ann Triplett.

Will it be 42 or 43 in Baku? We still await news on the final entry list, but the heats continue as countries around the continent search for their Song for Europe. With details on date changes, deadline problems, musical selections and music from Gianni and the Maltese selection, it’s the latest news from the ESC Insight podcast.

A little diversion from the usual flavour of articles to start 2012, as I write both to keen Eurovision watchers, and to whoever will be working on the United Kingdom’s Eurovision Song Contest entry this year. Simply put, the UK need McFly.