Eurovision Song Contest 2003#Results

File:Olimpiskā Skonto halle.jpg

On 22 August 2002, Latvian public broadcaster Latvian Television (LTV) announced that it had chosen the Skonto Hall in Riga as the host venue for the 2003 contest.

Latvia won the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 on 25 May 2002 in Tallinn, Estonia, with the song “I Wanna” performed by Marie N. This was Latvia's first victory in the contest, which also carried the right for LTV to organise the 2003 contest. LTV initially had budgetary concerns with staging the contest. The chairman of the National Radio and Television Council Ojārs Rubenis stated that if the government presented no budget guarantees, the council, which owns shares in LTV, would vote against organising the contest. Rubenis elaborated that LTV was prepared to cover the creative side and broadcasting of the contest, but additional funds would be needed for infrastructure, hotels and other financial issues.

The Government of Latvia allotted €5.3 million for the event with a further €1.1 million being provided by the Riga City Council – covering the anticipated organisational costs for the contest.{{cite web|title=Vēstulē noliedz Eirovīzijas finansu problēmas|url=http://www.delfi.lv/news/national/politics/vestule-noliedz-eirovizijas-finansu-problemas.d?id=4700906|publisher=Delfi|date=31 January 2003|access-date=27 October 2013|language=lv|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927002250/https://www.delfi.lv/news/national/politics/vestule-noliedz-eirovizijas-finansu-problemas.d?id=4700906|url-status=live}} A task force that included members from LTV, the National Radio and Television Council, and state secretaries was formed to explicitly work on organisation of the contest and report on the estimated expenses.

{{location map+ |Latvia |float=right|width=300 |caption=Locations of the candidate cities: the chosen host city is marked in blue, while the eliminated cities are marked in red. |places=

{{location map~ |Latvia |lat=56.966667 |long=23.75 |label=Jūrmala|mark=Red pog.svg|marksize=7|position=left }}

{{location map~ |Latvia |lat=56.948889 |long=24.106389 |label=Riga|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=7 }}

{{location map~ |Latvia |lat=57.3833 |long=21.5500|label=Ventspils|mark=Red pog.svg|marksize=7 }}

}}

Three cities were considered as host city of the contest: Riga, Ventspils, and Jūrmala.{{cite web|title=Dzintaru koncertzāles pārbūve Eirovīzijas rīkošanai izmaksātu trīs miljonus latu|url=http://www.tvnet.lv/izklaide/notikumi/47667-dzintaru_koncertzales_parbuve_eirovizijas_span_classhiliterikosanaispan_izmaksatu_tris_miljonus_latu|publisher=TVNET|date=6 June 2002|access-date=27 October 2013|language=lv|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185628/http://www.tvnet.lv/izklaide/notikumi/47667-dzintaru_koncertzales_parbuve_eirovizijas_span_classhiliterikosanaispan_izmaksatu_tris_miljonus_latu|url-status=live}} LTV requested proposals from the three cities concerning how they plan to organise the contest. Riga City Council offered the Mežaparks Open-air Stage, Skonto Hall, and the Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre as potential venues for hosting the contest. Ventspils bid to host the contest in the halls of the Ventspils Olympic Center with a pledge of support from city mayor Aivars Lembergs, who added that Ventspils could also provide two cruise ferries that could be used to accommodate up to 8,000 guests.{{cite web|first=Vēsma|last=Lēvalde|title=Ventspils dome vēlas Eirovīzijas rīkošanu Ventspilī (papildināts)|url=http://www.db.lv/citas-zinas/ventspils-dome-velas-eirovizijas-rikosanu-ventspili-papildinats-197167|publisher=db.lv|date=3 June 2002|access-date=27 October 2013|language=lv|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210340/http://www.db.lv/citas-zinas/ventspils-dome-velas-eirovizijas-rikosanu-ventspili-papildinats-197167|url-status=live}} Jūrmala City Council offered the Dzintari Concert Hall with plans to expand and upgrade the facility and surrounding infrastructure.

LTV's organisational task force later decided to proceed with the bids from Riga and Ventspils, eliminating Jūrmala and the Mežaparks Open-air Stage in Riga. On 15 June 2002, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Reference Group decided in conjunction with the organisational task force in Latvia that Riga would host the 2003 contest with the venue option between the Skonto Hall and Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre being decided upon by LTV.{{cite web|title=Eirovīzija izmaksās 4,7 vai 5,5 miljonus latu|url=http://financenet.tvnet.lv/zinas/115462-eirovizija_izmaksas_47_vai_55_miljonus_latu|publisher=TVNET|date=2 July 2002|access-date=27 October 2013|language=lv|archive-date=3 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103220908/http://financenet.tvnet.lv/zinas/115462-eirovizija_izmaksas_47_vai_55_miljonus_latu|url-status=live}} LTV ultimately chose the Skonto Hall as the venue to stage the contest.

Key

{{Color box|#CEDFF2|{{dagger}} |border=darkgray}} Host venue

{{Color box|#F2E0CE|‡|border=darkgray}} Shortlisted

{{further|List of countries in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{interlanguage link info|section=yes}}

{{ESC 2003 participants}}

Per the rules of the contest, twenty-six countries were allowed to participate in the event, a new record number of competing entries in a single edition.{{cite web |title=Rules of the 48th Eurovision Song Contest (2003) |url=http://www.ebu.ch/departments/television/pdf/ESC2003Rules_E.pdf |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030819205208/http://www.ebu.ch/departments/television/pdf/ESC2003Rules_E.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}{{cite press release |date=18 November 2002 |title=Record 26 countries to compete in 2003 Song Contest |url=http://www.ebu.ch/en/union/news/2002/song_contest_2003.php |url-status=dead |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040704194054/http://www.ebu.ch:80/en/union/news/2002/song_contest_2003.php |archive-date=4 July 2004 |access-date=29 March 2024}} Originally a total of twenty-five countries were scheduled to participate in the event, however {{esccnty|Ukraine}} was added to the line-up shortly before the publication of the competing countries in November 2002, making its début appearance in the contest.{{cite web |title=The end of a decade: Riga 2003 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/the-end-of-a-decade-riga-2003 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802084115/https://eurovision.tv/story/the-end-of-a-decade-riga-2003 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |language=en |date=24 December 2009 |url-status=live}} {{esccnty|Iceland}}, {{esccnty|Ireland}}, the {{esccnty|Netherlands}}, {{esccnty|Norway}}, {{esccnty|Poland}}, and {{esccnty|Portugal}} returned after being absent from the previous year's event, and competed alongside Ukraine, the "Big Four" largest contributing participating countries{{snd}}{{esccnty|France}}, {{esccnty|Germany}}, {{esccnty|Spain}}, and the {{esccnty|United Kingdom}}{{snd}}and the remaining fifteen highest-scoring participating countries from the {{escyr|2002||2002 contest}}.{{cite web |title=Remember the three way thriller of 2003? |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/remember-the-three-way-thriller-of-2003 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513172034/https://eurovision.tv/story/remember-the-three-way-thriller-of-2003 |archive-date=13 May 2018 |language=en |date=24 May 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=O'Connor |first=John Kennedy |author-link=John Kennedy O'Connor |title=The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History |date=2010 |publisher=Carlton Books |location=London, United Kingdom |isbn=978-1-84732-521-1 |edition=2nd |pages=172–175}} Having received the lowest scores in the 2002 contest, {{esccnty|Denmark}},{{cite book |last=O'Connor |first=John Kennedy |author-link=John Kennedy O'Connor |title=The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History |date=2010 |publisher=Carlton Books |location=London, United Kingdom |isbn=978-1-84732-521-1 |edition=2nd |pages=168–171}} {{esccnty|Finland}},{{cite web |title=From 'Pump-Pump' to 'Cha Cha Cha': Finland's vibrant Eurovision history |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/finlands-vibrant-eurovision-history |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809125933/https://eurovision.tv/story/finlands-vibrant-eurovision-history |archive-date=9 August 2023 |language=en |date=9 August 2003 |url-status=live}} {{esccnty|Lithuania}},{{cite web |author=Andžej |title=A brief history of Lithuania in Eurovision Song Contest {{!}} Eurodiena.lt – Eurovizija. Konkurso dienoraštis |url=https://eurodiena.lt/58674/eurovizija/a-brief-history-of-lithuania-in-eurovision-song-contest/ |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201104949/http://eurodiena.lt/58674/eurovizija/a-brief-history-of-lithuania-in-eurovision-song-contest/ |archive-date=1 December 2017 |date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live}} {{esccnty|North Macedonia|t=Macedonia}},{{cite news |title=Се огласи МРТ: Македонија нема да учествува на Евровизија 2023 |trans-title=MRT announced: Macedonia will not participate in Eurovision 2023 |url=https://www.muzika24.mk/festvali/se-oglasi-mrt-makedonija-nema-da-uchestvuva-na-evrovizija-2023/57716/ |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=Muzika24 |date=14 October 2022 |language=mk |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329142554/https://www.muzika24.mk/festvali/se-oglasi-mrt-makedonija-nema-da-uchestvuva-na-evrovizija-2023/57716/ |url-status=live }} and {{esccnty|Switzerland}}{{cite web |title=Swiss dropped from Eurovision line-up |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/swiss-dropped-from-eurovision-line-up/2730848 |publisher=SWI swissinfo |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329134443/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/swiss-dropped-from-eurovision-line-up/2730848 |archive-date=29 March 2024 |date=27 May 2002 |url-status=live}} were subsequently relegated and were prevented from participating in this year's event.

Twenty-four countries participated in the 2002 contest in Tallinn; of these, fourteen were expected to compete in 2003. The bottom ten in Tallinn would be relegated, to allow countries to compete for the first time.Sietse Bakker (25 May 2002). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090628180628/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/689 Latvia won the 47th Eurovision Song Contest]. ESCToday. Retrieved on 23 March 2008. In reality, only five countries were relegated{{snd}}nineteen countries that entered in 2002 competed in Riga.Sietse Bakker. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090524051134/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/780 EBU released list of participant for 2003]. ESCToday. Retrieved on 23 March 2008. Originally, {{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro}}, {{Esccnty|Albania}}, and {{Esccnty|Belarus}} had planned 2003 debuts, but the EBU's late changes to the relegation procedure meant that they could not compete.Sietse Bakker. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070515112113/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/747 No new countries at next Eurovision Song Contest]. ESCToday. Retrieved on 23 March 2008. The countries eventually made their debuts in 2004.

The 2003 contest was one of the few editions where no lead artists had previously competed as lead artists in past contests, although Slovenian representative Karmen had previously performed as a backing singer to Vili Resnik for {{esccnty|Slovenia|y=1998|t=Slovenia in 1998}}.{{cite web |title=Slovenia : Karmen Stavec talks to Eurovision.tv |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/slovenia-karmen-stavec-talks-to-eurovision-tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922122653/https://eurovision.tv/story/slovenia-karmen-stavec-talks-to-eurovision-tv |archive-date=22 September 2020 |language=en |date=30 January 2009 |url-status=live}}

The EBU released the rules for the 2003 contest in November 2002, which detailed that twenty-six countries would participate, making it the largest number of participants to take part in the contest up to this point. The rules also modified the eligibility criteria for entries, changing the date of release cut-off point for songs from 1 January 2003 to 1 October 2002. There was also a change in the tie-break rule, which would now resolve such a case in favour of the nation that received points from a higher number of countries rather than taking into account the number of top scores (12 points) received. The draw for running order was held on 29 November 2002 in Riga, hosted by Marie N and Renārs Kaupers, with the results being revealed during a delayed broadcast of the proceedings later that day.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Draw to be made public Friday 17:00 CET|url=http://www.esctoday.com/994/draw_to_be_made_public_friday_1700_cet/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=28 November 2002|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234138/http://esctoday.com/994/draw_to_be_made_public_friday_1700_cet/|url-status=live}}Sietse Bakker (1 December 2002). [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011153301/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/997 Draw of running order finally available]. ESCToday. Retrieved on 23 March 2008.

The official sponsors for the contest were Latvian mobile telecom provider {{lang|lv|Latvijas Mobilais Telefons|i=unset}} and Latvian bank company {{lang|lv|Parex Banka|i=unset}}.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Latvijas Mobilais and Parex sponsor 2003 contest|url=http://www.esctoday.com/998/latvijas_mobilais_and_parex_sponsor_2003_contest/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=30 November 2002|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109094822/http://esctoday.com/998/latvijas_mobilais_and_parex_sponsor_2003_contest/|url-status=live}} LTV selected Latvia Tours as its official partner to provide lodging, travel and recreation for the contest delegations and other guests.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Latvia Tours selected as cooperation partner|url=http://www.esctoday.com/786/latvia_tours_selected_as_cooperation_partner/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=27 November 2002|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093857/http://esctoday.com/786/latvia_tours_selected_as_cooperation_partner/|url-status=live}} Riga City Council was also responsible for offering promotion and activities during the week preceding the contest.{{cite web|first=Aija|last=Medinika|title=The preparation for Eurovision Song Contest 2003|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1436/the_preparation_for_eurovision_song_contest_2003/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=25 March 2002|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029080811/http://esctoday.com/1436/the_preparation_for_eurovision_song_contest_2003/|url-status=live}}

Full preparations for the 2003 contest began on 18 May 2003 at the Skonto Hall. There were rehearsals, press conferences and participants were also involved in an internet chat.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/public/25144.html |title=Event |access-date=2017-02-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030602021415/http://www.eurovision.tv/public/25144.html |archive-date=June 2, 2003 }}. Eurovision.tv. Retrieved on 22 March 2008. Two dress rehearsals were held on 23 May, in front of an estimated 12,000 people. The organisers of the contest held a press conference; one of the issues complained about was the lack of invitations for the after-party. The final dress rehearsal was held on 24 May, the day of the contest. A simulation of the voting procedure was also held, in which the presenters linked up with all twenty-six countries by satellite for the first time.

On the day of the contest, bookmaker William Hill's odds placed Russia as joint favourites to win the contest with Spain. Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway and Iceland were behind in third, fourth and joint fifth respectively.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=William Hill: update of the betting figures!|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1630|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=24 May 2003|access-date=22 March 2008|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027123307/http://esctoday.com/1630|url-status=live}} At the conclusion of the contest, favourites Russia placed third and Spain placed eighth, while outsiders Turkey (20-1) and Belgium (50-1) claimed the first and second places, respectively. Austria, at 100–1, were favourites to finish last, however, they scored their best result since 1989, placing sixth.

An official compilation album, featuring all twenty-six competing entries from the contest, was released for the first time on the EMI/CMC label.{{cite web|url=http://www.ebu.ch/news/press_archive/press_breves_2003_110_esc_cd.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030624012757/http://www.ebu.ch/news/press_archive/press_breves_2003_110_esc_cd.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2003|title=Eurovision Song Contest Riga 2003: CD available now|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=24 March 2008}}

The design of the contest was built around the theme "Magical rendez-vous", which represented the meeting of the various European nations coming to Latvia and encountering Latvia's versatile landscapes.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/868/eurovision_2003_theme_will_be_rendez-vous/|title=Eurovision 2003 theme will be rendez-vous|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=26 November 2002|publisher=ESCToday.com|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101142942/http://esctoday.com/868/eurovision_2003_theme_will_be_rendez-vous/|url-status=live}} LTV launched a competition in order to find the logo for the contest. At the close of the competition, high interest from the public translated into 204 logo submissions, which were ultimately judged by a jury panel consisting of Uldis-Ivars Grava (general director of LTV), Arvīds Babris (then executive producer of the contest), Ugis Brikmanis (director), Laimonis Šteinbergs (artist), Ingūna Rībena (architect), Arta Giga (LTV representative) and Juhan Paadam (EBU representative).{{cite web|first=Aija|last=Medinika|title=204 logo propositions for ESC 2003|url=http://www.esctoday.com/760/204_logo_propositions_for_esc_2003/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=27 November 2002|access-date=18 November 2013|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031002242/http://esctoday.com/760/204_logo_propositions_for_esc_2003/|url-status=live}} On 16 November 2002, LTV and the EBU presented the logo for the contest which was designed by the director of the Computer Graphics Department of LTV, Maris Kalve with further elaboration by LTV's chief artist Kristaps Skulte.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Logo for Eurovision 2003 selected|url=http://www.esctoday.com/783/logo_for_eurovision_2003_selected/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=27 November 2002|access-date=18 November 2013|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030232847/http://esctoday.com/783/logo_for_eurovision_2003_selected/|url-status=live}} The logo was named upes, the Latvian word for rivers, and carried the slogan "All rivers flow toward the sea, all songs flow toward the Eurovision Song Contest".

The postcards shown between the entries were directed by Ugis Brikmanis and featured the artists competing at the contest interacting with Latvia's various landscapes: forests, rivers, lakes and towns. The postcards were recorded during the preceding week of the contest and ran behind schedule, leading to some postcards featuring only footage from the rehearsals and press conferences.{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Jordan|title=What's Another Year? Ten Years On From Riga|url=http://www.escinsight.com/2013/01/11/whats-another-year-ten-years-on-from-riga/|publisher=ESCInsight|date=11 January 2013|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123115556/https://escinsight.com/2013/01/11/whats-another-year-ten-years-on-from-riga/|url-status=live}}

The stage design was created by Aigars Ozoliņš and based on the concept called Planet Latvia.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2003 on Planet Latvia|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1438/eurovision_song_contest_2003_on_planet_latvia/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=27 March 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030070046/http://esctoday.com/1438/eurovision_song_contest_2003_on_planet_latvia/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Itamar|last=Barak|title=Magical encounter on the Eurovision stage|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1499/magical_encounter_on_the_eurovision_stage/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=7 May 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031231221/http://esctoday.com/1499/magical_encounter_on_the_eurovision_stage/|url-status=live}} The stage used several light and video effects and included an innovation new to the contest – a video screen stage floor that could be used to give each entry a unique look. The green room where the delegations and competitors awaited the results of the contest was placed directly behind the stage and unveiled shortly before the voting portion of the show commenced, allowing the audience to see the representatives of the competing nations as they received points.{{cite web|first=Remi|last=Kübar|title=Details revealed about the stage in May|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1240/details_revealed_about_the_stage_in_may/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=7 February 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109083255/http://esctoday.com/1240/details_revealed_about_the_stage_in_may/|url-status=live}} For the first time, the scoreboard automatically rearranged itself in descending order as each point was awarded, making it easier for the audience and television viewers to follow the exact progress of the competitors throughout the voting process.

Initially, Arvīds Babris, head of the Latvian delegation at the 2002 contest, was appointed as executive producer for the contest, however, after production fell behind schedule and the EBU applied pressure upon LTV, he was dismissed and Brigita Rozenbrika took over the position, receiving additional support from the Swedish broadcaster {{lang|sv|Sveriges Television|i=no}} (SVT) and Estonian broadcaster {{lang|et|Eesti Televisioon|i=no}} (ETV).{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Arvids Babris will produce the contest in Latvia|url=http://www.esctoday.com/737/arvids_babris_will_produce_the_contest_in_latvia/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=28 November 2002|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026034709/http://esctoday.com/737/arvids_babris_will_produce_the_contest_in_latvia/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Itamar|last=Barak|title=Riga 2003: A new executive producer|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1422/riga_2003_a_new_executive_producer/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=18 March 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102121353/http://esctoday.com/1422/riga_2003_a_new_executive_producer/|url-status=live}} SVT was also the technical producer of the contest for the second year running with Sven Stojanović as director and the Swedish lighting company Spectra+ contracted for the contest.{{cite web|first=Bjørn Erik|last=Opheim|title=SVT to produce 2003 Eurovision Song Contest|url=http://www.esctoday.com/992/svt_to_produce_2003_eurovision_song_contest/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=13 December 2002|access-date=21 March 2008|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101021010/http://esctoday.com/992/svt_to_produce_2003_eurovision_song_contest/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Spectra+ lands third Eurovision contract|url=http://livedesignonline.com/news/lighting_spectra_lands_third/|publisher=Live Design|date=17 April 2003|access-date=21 March 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531012712/http://livedesignonline.com/news/lighting_spectra_lands_third/|archive-date=31 May 2009}}

The EBU reintroduced televoting as an obligatory voting mode in all participating countries, which awarded 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 points to their ten favourite songs, in ascending order. Countries voted in the same order as they had performed. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia were granted an exception to holding a televote as they cited that their telecommunications penetration was less than 80%.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2932760.stm|title=Turkish delight at Eurovision win|website=BBC News|publisher=BBC News|date=24 May 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017021658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2932760.stm|url-status=live}} Polish broadcaster {{lang|pl|Telewizja Polska|i=no}} opted to use only SMS-voting.{{cite web|first=Aija|last=Medinika|title=Poland will use SMS-voting only|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1631/poland_will_use_sms-voting_only/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=24 May 2003|access-date=23 March 2008|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029201440/http://esctoday.com/1631/poland_will_use_sms-voting_only/|url-status=live}} In the televoting/smsvoting household shall not be permitted to vote more than three times. All other participating broadcasters planned to use a televote. Due to a technical issue, Ireland used results from their back-up jury instead of televoting. This contest was also the first to introduce a computer-generated scoreboard which rearranged itself in order as the points were awarded. Participating broadcasters were required to assemble back-up juries that consisted of eight voting members, with age and gender equally distributed, in the case of televote failure on the night of the competition. Four members of the jury had to be members of the general public and the other four members had to be music professionals.

With the increased number of potential participating countries, the EBU began to review the format of the contest with potential changes being considered such as adding extra evenings for the show, holding a regional pre-selection, or putting a limit to number of participating countries by increasing the entrance fee. On 29 January 2003, the EBU unveiled a two-night system for the contest in 2004: a semi-final would be held before a grand final. The "Big Four", along with the top ten from the 2003 contest, would automatically qualify for the 2004 final.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=EBU confirms new Eurovision Song Contest format|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1192/ebu_confirms_new_eurovision_song_contest_format/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=29 January 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109090304/http://esctoday.com/1192/ebu_confirms_new_eurovision_song_contest_format/|url-status=live}} The format change eliminated the relegation system, allowing all countries to send an artist and song to the contest. The fourteen eventual countries from the 2003 contest that qualified to compete directly in the 2004 final were Turkey, Belgium, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Poland, Spain, Iceland, Romania, Ireland, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. All other countries would have to compete in the semi-final for ten remaining spots in the final.

The contest featured special guests that communicated with the hosts via satellite: Lys Assia, winner of the 1956 contest greeted the hosts and spectators from Nicosia, Elton John spoke to the presenters live from the Life Ball in Vienna and one astronaut and one cosmonaut—Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko—gave their greetings from the International Space Station.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1603|title=Artists and fan sites campaign on World AIDS Day|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=1 December 2008|publisher=Eurovision.tv|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-date=3 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103221717/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1603|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=1062|title=1956 winner Lys Assia: "It will go on!"|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=21 May 2008|publisher=Eurovision.tv|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201205645/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=1062|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.balticsworldwide.com/eurovision%20_%202003%20_%20results.htm|title=Turks beat back Russia and Belgium to win; Baltics and Britain bomb.|last=Tarm|first=Michael|year=2003|newspaper=City Paper|access-date=22 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303073624/http://www.balticsworldwide.com/eurovision%20_%202003%20_%20results.htm|archive-date=3 March 2007|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}} The interval act for the contest was a short film directed by Anna Viduleja that featured a sequence of performances by Latvian post-folklore group Iļģi, Renārs Kaupers' band Brainstorm, Marie N and piano player Raimonds Pauls.{{cite web|url=http://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/music/eirovizijas-veidotaji-parcelusies-uz-skonto-halli.d?id=5335547|title=Eirovīzijas veidotāji pārcēlušies uz 'Skonto' halli|date=6 May 2003|publisher=Delfi|access-date=17 November 2013|language=lv|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030191956/https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/music/eirovizijas-veidotaji-parcelusies-uz-skonto-halli.d?id=5335547|url-status=live}}

The UK's result was their worst-ever at Eurovision; by contrast, Turkey's win was their first. Alf Poier's sixth place was Austria's best result for fourteen years, Poland's seventh place was their best in nine, and Romania's tenth place was one place behind their best-ever. Belgium's second place was their first top-five finish in seventeen years, while Spain's eighth place (tied with Iceland's, which had its best result since 1999) was their third top-ten finish in a row, but Latvia's third-from-bottom finish was their worst result in four attempts; it was also the worst placing for a host country since 1992, until 2015 when host country Austria received 'nul points' and came second to last (Germany also received 'nul points' but because of the running order Austria placed ahead of them).

{{Legend|Gold|Winner}}

{{More citations needed section|date=October 2021}}

Each participating broadcaster appointed a spokesperson who was responsible for announcing, in English or French, the votes for its respective country. The voting order in the 2003 contest was the order in which the countries had been drawn to perform. The spokespersons for each country were:

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

1. {{flagu|Iceland}}{{snd}}Eva María Jónsdóttir
2. {{flagu|Austria}}{{snd}}{{ill|Dodo Roscic|de}}
3. {{flagu|Ireland}}{{snd}}Pamela Flood
4. {{flagu|Turkey}}{{snd}}Meltem Ersan Yazgan{{cite news |title=48. Eurovision Şarkı Yarışması |url=https://egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr/Archive/CUMHURIYET/GAZETE_ARSIVI/2003/5/24/A2C809E4-F62B-4A8B-968F-37B32C2734A8_3203296_16.jpeg |access-date=21 December 2022 |work=Cumhuriyet |location=Istanbul, Turkey |date=24 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221095434/https://egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr/Archive/CUMHURIYET/GAZETE_ARSIVI/2003/5/24/A2C809E4-F62B-4A8B-968F-37B32C2734A8_3203296_16.jpeg |archive-date=21 December 2022 |page=16 |language=tr |url-status=live}}
5. {{flagu|Malta}}{{snd}}Sharon Borg[http://www.escflashmalta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1033:breaking-news-and-the-spokesperson-is&catid=2:latest-news-international&Itemid=2 ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124012146/http://www.escflashmalta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1033%3Abreaking-news-and-the-spokesperson-is&catid=2%3Alatest-news-international&Itemid=2 |date=January 24, 2016 }}
6. {{flagu|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}{{snd}}{{ill|Ana Vilenica|hr}}
7. {{flagu|Portugal}}{{snd}}{{ill|Helena Ramos|pt|Helena Ramos (apresentadora)}}
8. {{flagu|Croatia}}{{snd}}{{ill|Davor Meštrović|hr}}
9. {{flagu|Cyprus|1960}}{{snd}}Loukas Hamatsos
10. {{flagu|Germany}}{{snd}}Axel Bulthaupt
11. {{flagu|Russia}}{{snd}}Yana Churikova
12. {{flagu|Spain}}{{snd}}Anne Igartiburu
13. {{flagu|Israel}}{{snd}}{{ill|Michal Zo'aretz|he|מיכל זוארץ}}
14. {{flagu|Netherlands}}{{snd}}Marlayne
15. {{flagu|United Kingdom}}{{snd}}Lorraine Kelly
16. {{flagu|Ukraine|1992}}{{snd}}Lyudmyla Hariv
17. {{flagu|Greece}}{{snd}}{{ill|Alexis Kostalas|el|Αλέξης Κωστάλας}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gossip-tv.gr/g-specials/gossip-cam/gallery/579385/alexis-kostalas-deite-poy-ton-entopisame-meta-apo-kairo|title=Αλέξης Κωστάλας: Δείτε πού τον εντοπίσαμε μετά από καιρό!|language=el|website=Gossip-tv.gr|date=19 February 2010|access-date=30 August 2022|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830135344/https://www.gossip-tv.gr/g-specials/gossip-cam/gallery/579385/alexis-kostalas-deite-poy-ton-entopisame-meta-apo-kairo|url-status=live}}
18. {{flagu|Norway}}{{snd}}Roald Øyen
19. {{flagu|France}}{{snd}}Sandrine François
20. {{flagu|Poland}}{{snd}}{{ill|Maciej Orłoś|pl}}
21. {{flagu|Latvia}}{{snd}}{{ill|Ģirts Līcis|arz|جيرتس ليسيس}}{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/1601/girts_licis_press_conferences_and_latvian_votes/|title=Girts Licis: press conferences and Latvian votes|date=22 May 2003|access-date=24 February 2020|work=ESCToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224085356/http://esctoday.com/1601/girts_licis_press_conferences_and_latvian_votes/|url-status=live}}
22. {{flagu|Belgium}}{{snd}}{{ill|Corinne Boulangier|fr}}
23. {{flagu|Estonia}}{{snd}}Ines
24. {{flagu|Romania}}{{snd}}Leonard Miron
25. {{flagu|Sweden}}{{snd}}Kattis Ahlström{{cite book |last1=Thorsson |first1=Leif |last2=Verhage |first2=Martin |title=Melodifestivalen genom tiderna : de svenska uttagningarna och internationella finalerna |date=2006 |publisher=Premium Publishing |location=Stockholm |isbn=91-89136-29-2 |language=sv |pages=312–313}}
26. {{flagu|Slovenia}}{{snd}}Peter Poles

{{Div col end}}

Below is a summary of all 12 points in the final:

Each participating broadcaster was required to relay live and in full the contest via television. Non-participating EBU member broadcasters were also able to relay the contest as "passive participants"; any passive countries wishing to participate in the following year's event were also required to provide a live broadcast of the contest or a deferred broadcast within 24 hours. Broadcasters were able to send commentators to provide coverage of the contest in their own native language and to relay information about the artists and songs to their viewers. Known details on the broadcasts in each country, including the specific broadcasting stations and commentators, are shown in the tables below. Broadcasters in 42 countries were reported to have broadcast the event live or deferred, including broadcasters in Albania, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Montenegro, and the United States.{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2003 |url=http://www.ebu.ch/departments/television/projects/live_events/esc_2003_countries.php |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=12 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030827105611/http://www.ebu.ch/departments/television/projects/live_events/esc_2003_countries.php |archive-date=27 August 2003 |date=10 April 2003 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Opheim |first=Bjørn Erik |title=50th Anniversary won't affect annual Eurovision |url=https://esctoday.com/1306/50th_anniversary_wont_affect_annual_eurovision/ |publisher=ESCToday |access-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204025532/http://www.esctoday.com/1306/50th_anniversary_wont_affect_annual_eurovision/ |archive-date=4 December 2013 |date=22 February 2003 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Barak |first=Itamar |title=EBU press conference about the contest's future |url=https://esctoday.com/1597/ebu_press_conference_about_the_contests_future/ |publisher=ESCToday |access-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204052814/http://www.esctoday.com/1597/ebu_press_conference_about_the_contests_future/ |archive-date=4 December 2013 |date=22 May 2003 |url-status=live}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Τηλεορασεις |trans-title=Television |url=https://www.pressarchive.cy/s/en/item/919359 |access-date=5 March 2024 |work={{lang|el-latn|Haravgi|i=unset}} |date=24 May 2003 |location=Nicosia, Cyprus |page=16 |language=el |via={{ill|Cyprus Press and Information Office|el|Γραφείο Τύπου και Πληροφοριών}} |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524182307/https://www.pressarchive.cy/s/en/item/919359#?c=&m=&s=&cv= |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Estonia}}

| colspan="2" | ETV

| Marko Reikop

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite web |title=ETV 2003 {{!}} ajalugu {{!}} Ülevaade Eesti Televisiooni tegemistest aastal 2003. |trans-title=ETV 2003 {{!}} history {{!}} Overview of the activities of Estonian Television in 2003. |url=https://info.err.ee/1088730/etv-2003 |publisher=Eesti Televisioon |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806104421/https://info.err.ee/1088730/etv-2003 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |date=31 December 2009 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|France}}

| {{lang|fr|France Télévisions|i=unset}}

| France 3

| Laurent Ruquier and Isabelle Mergault

| style="text-align:center" |

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Germany}}

| ARD

| {{lang|de|Das Erste|i=unset}}

| Peter Urban{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

| style="text-align:center" |

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Greece}}

| rowspan="2" | ERT

| ET1

| Dafni Bokota

| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | {{cite web |title=Τετάρτη 26 Φεβρουαρίου ο ελληνικός διαγωνισμός |trans-title=Wednesday 26 February the Greek competition |url=http://eurovision.ert.gr/ |publisher=Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216152140/http://eurovision.ert.gr/ |archive-date=16 February 2003 |language=el |url-status=dead}}

|-

| ERA 1

| Nikos Triboulidis

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Iceland}}

| rowspan="2" | RÚV

| {{lang|is|Sjónvarpið|i=unset}}

| Gísli Marteinn Baldursson

| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=Laugardagur 24. maí |trans-title=Saturday 24 May |url=https://timarit.is/page/3047099#page/n57/mode/2up |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=DV |date=24 May 2003 |location=Reykjavík, Iceland |page=62 |language=is |via=Timarit.is}}

|-

| {{lang|is|Rás 2|i=unset}}

| {{N/A|}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Ireland}}

| RTÉ

| RTÉ One

| Marty Whelan and Phil Coulter

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite web |title=Count-down to Eurovision in Latvia |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2003/0523/399325-eurovision/ |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208132337/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2003/0523/399325-eurovision/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |date=23 May 2003 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Latvia}}

| LTV

| LTV1

| {{ill|Kārlis Streips|lv}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |last=Šaitere |first=Tekla |title=www.eurovision.tv |url=https://www.diena.lv/raksts/pasaule/krievija/www.eurovision.tv-11676750 |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Diena |location=Riga, Latvia |date=22 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208141258/https://www.diena.lv/raksts/pasaule/krievija/www.eurovision.tv-11676750 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |language=lv |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Malta}}

| PBS

| TVM

| John Bundy

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |last=Massa |first=Adriana |title=Lynn's dress rehearsal goes well |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/lynns-dress-rehearsal-goes-well.149502 |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Times of Malta |location=Birkirkara, Malta |date=23 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208141641/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/lynns-dress-rehearsal-goes-well.149502 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Netherlands}}

| rowspan="2" | PO

| {{lang|nl|Nederland 2|i=unset}}

| Willem van Beusekom

| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=Radio & Televisie Zaterdag |url=https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2003-05-24/edition/0/page/32 |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Leidsch Dagblad |location=Leiden, Netherlands |date=24 May 2003 |page=34 |via=Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014100949/https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2003-05-24/edition/0/page/32 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=De Vos |first=Ronald |title=Toch trots op 'onze' Esther Hart |url=https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2003-05-31/edition/0/page/14 |access-date=16 January 2003 |work=Leidsch Dagblad |location=Leiden, Netherlands |date=31 May 2003 |page=14 |via=Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524182340/https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2003-05-31/edition/0/page/14 |url-status=live}}

|-

| Radio 2

| {{N/A|}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Norway}}

| rowspan="2" | NRK

| NRK1

| Jostein Pedersen

| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=Radio & TV |url=https://www.nb.no/items/0e795491cdc27eb1a696781697ca5927?page=77 |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Telemarksavisa |location=Skien, Norway |date=24 May 2003 |pages=78–80 |via=National Library of Norway |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524182307/https://www.nb.no/items/0e795491cdc27eb1a696781697ca5927?page=77 |url-status=live}}

|-

| NRK P1

| {{N/A|}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Poland}}

| TVP

| TVP1

| Artur Orzech

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Programy TV sobota |trans-title=Saturday TV programmes |url=http://bibliotekacyfrowa.eu/dlibra/show-content/publication/80523/edition/73819 |access-date=21 September 2024 |work=Dziennik Bałtycki |date=24–25 May 2003 |location=Gdańsk, Poland |page=19 |language=pl |via={{ill|Baltic Digital Library|pl|Bałtycka Biblioteka Cyfrowa}}}}{{cite news |title=Turcja, nie Polska zwycięzcą Eurowizji 2003 |trans-title=Turkey, not Poland, won Eurovision 2003 |url=https://kultura.onet.pl/muzyka/wiadomosci/turcja-nie-polska-zwyciezca-eurowizji-2003/9m7e88v |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Onet.pl |date=25 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208141840/https://kultura.onet.pl/muzyka/wiadomosci/turcja-nie-polska-zwyciezca-eurowizji-2003/9m7e88v |archive-date=8 December 2022 |language=pl |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Portugal}}

| RTP

| RTP1

| {{ill|Margarida Mercês de Melo|pt}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Television & Radio Programmes |url=https://www.angloportuguesenews.pt/?a=d&d=APN20030522.1.6 |access-date=6 September 2024 |work=Anglo-Portuguese News |date=22 May 2003 |location=Lisbon, Portugal |page=6}}{{cite news |title=Eurovisão: Concorrência de leste |trans-title=Eurovision: Eastern Competition |url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/tv-media/detalhe/eurovisao-concorrencia-de-leste |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Correio da Manhã |date=19 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208142549/https://www.cmjornal.pt/tv-media/detalhe/eurovisao-concorrencia-de-leste |archive-date=8 December 2022 |language=pt |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Romania}}

| TVR

| {{lang|ro|România 1|i=unset}}

| {{N/A|}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Sâmbătă, 24 mai 2003 |trans-title=Saturday, 24 May 2003 |url=https://digital.bibliotecaarad.ro/files/original/eb234dd92ae7e582a1b86ed526ed450d7fc59c74.pdf |access-date=6 September 2024 |work={{ill|Adevărul de Arad|ro}} |date=24 May 2003 |location=Arad, Romania |language=ro |page=4 |via={{ill|Biblioteca Județeană "Alexandru D. Xenopol" Arad|ro|Biblioteca Județeană „A.D. Xenopol” din Arad}}}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Russia}}

| colspan="2" | Channel One

| {{ill|Yuriy Aksyuta|ru|Аксюта, Юрий Викторович}} and {{ill|Yelena Batinova|ru|Батинова, Елена Викторовна}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite web |title=Организаторы конкурса «Евровидение-2003» обещают незабываемое шоу |trans-title=Organizers of the 'Eurovision 2003' contest promise an unforgettable show |url=https://www.1tv.ru/news/2003-05-24/254065-organizatory_konkursa_evrovidenie_2003_obeschayut_nezabyvaemoe_shou |publisher=Channel One Russia |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511145202/http://www.1tv.ru/news/2003-05-24/254065-organizatory_konkursa_evrovidenie_2003_obeschayut_nezabyvaemoe_shou |archive-date=11 May 2017 |date=24 May 2003 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Суббота, 24 мая |trans-title=Saturday, 24 May |url=http://89.223.124.215/tvps/jqpxmzerxgpn.pdf |access-date=9 December 2022 |work=Argumenty i Fakty |location=Moscow, Russia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208185728/http://89.223.124.215/tvps/jqpxmzerxgpn.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2022 |page=14 |language=ru |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Slovenia}}

| RTVSLO

| SLO 2

| Andrea F

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |last=Šinik |first=Gorazd |title=Prosim, ne zaspite pred televizorjem |trans-title=Please don't fall asleep in front of the TV |url=https://arhiv.gorenjskiglas.si/digitar/16298754_2003_40_L.pdf |access-date=9 December 2022 |work=Gorenjski Glas |date=23 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208195450/https://arhiv.gorenjskiglas.si/digitar/16298754_2003_40_L.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2022 |page=32 |language=sl |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Spain}}

| TVE

| {{lang|es|La Primera|i=unset}}{{efn|Additional live broadcast on {{lang|es|TVE Internacional|i=unset}}}}

| José Luis Uribarri

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Televisión |url=https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2003/05/24/pagina-8/34023160/pdf.html |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=La Vanguardia |location=Barcelona, Spain |date=24 May 2003 |page=8 |language=es |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724044836/https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2003/05/24/pagina-8/34023160/pdf.html |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Sweden}}

| SVT

| SVT1

| Pekka Heino

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=TV & Radio i dag |trans-title=TV & Radio today |work=Dagens Nyheter |location=Stockholm, Sweden |date=24 May 2003 |page=52 |language=sv}}

|-

| SR

| SR P4

| Carolina Norén and Björn Kjellman

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Radioprogram 24 maj 2003 |trans-title=Radio programme 24 May 2003 |work=Dagens Nyheter |location=Stockholm, Sweden |date=24 May 2003 |page=51 |language=sv}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Turkey}}

| TRT

| TRT 1{{efn|Additional live broadcast on TRT Int}}

| Bülend Özveren

| style="text-align:center" |

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Ukraine|1992}}

| NTU

| {{lang|uk|Pershyi Natsionalnyi|i=unset}}

| Dmytro Kryzhanivskyi

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |last=Polishchuk |first=Tetyana |title=«Євробачення» — готовність № 1 |trans-title='Eurovision' — readiness № 1 |url=https://day.kyiv.ua/uk/article/den-ukrayini/ievrobachennya-gotovnist-no-1 |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=The Day |location=Kyiv, Ukraine |date=21 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306050117/https://day.kyiv.ua/uk/article/den-ukrayini/ievrobachennya-gotovnist-no-1 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |language=uk |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Субота, 24 травня |trans-title=Saturday, 24 May |url=https://image.isu.pub/130920091321-5e44ad91820fbfd07ed18892ba3dd717/jpg/page_3.jpg |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=Nove Zhyttia |date=17 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208191338/https://image.isu.pub/130920091321-5e44ad91820fbfd07ed18892ba3dd717/jpg/page_3.jpg |archive-date=8 December 2022 |language=uk |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|United Kingdom}}

| rowspan="2" | BBC

| BBC One{{efn|Additional live broadcast on BBC Prime}}

| Terry Wogan

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite magazine |title=The Eurovision Song Contest – BBC One |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0ffc639a804f44a882137c94ae5ebc90 |access-date=8 December 2022 |magazine=Radio Times |date=24 May 2003 |via=BBC Genome Project |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204112844/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0ffc639a804f44a882137c94ae5ebc90 |url-status=live}}

|-

| BBC Radio 2

| Ken Bruce

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite magazine |title=Eurovision Song Contest – BBC Radio 2 |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/98a49c11eb2c4d9dbbae3d55bff9d4f2 |access-date=8 December 2022 |magazine=Radio Times |date=24 May 2003 |via=BBC Genome Project |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204112836/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/98a49c11eb2c4d9dbbae3d55bff9d4f2 |url-status=live}}

|}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Your BFBS Television programmes |url=https://nationalarchives.gov.fk/jdownloads/Penguin%20News/2003%20Apr-Jun.pdf |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=Penguin News Information Pullout |date=24–30 May 2003 |page=2 |location=Stanley, Falkland Islands |via=Jane Cameron National Archives}}{{cite news |title=BFBS Radio 2 |url=https://nationalarchives.gov.fk/jdownloads/Penguin%20News/2003%20Apr-Jun.pdf |work=Penguin News Information Pullout |date=24–30 May 2003 |page=3 |location=Stanley, Falkland Islands |access-date=25 October 2024 |via=Jane Cameron National Archives}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="4" | {{Flagu|Finland}}

| rowspan="4" | YLE

| YLE TV2

| Maria Guzenina and {{ill|Asko Murtomäki|fi}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=TV2 |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004142452.html |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Helsingin Sanomat |location=Helsinki, Finland |date=24 May 2003 |language=fi |url-access=subscription |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107151356/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004142452.html |url-status=live}}

|-

| YLE FST

| {{ill|Thomas Lundin (broadcaster)|sv|Thomas Lundin|lt=Thomas Lundin}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite web |title=Ohjelman tiedot : RITVA-tietokanta |trans-title=Programme information: RITVA database |url=https://rtva.kavi.fi/program/details/program/24227500|access-date=21 September 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014100958/https://rtva.kavi.fi/program/details/program/24227500|url-status=live}}

|-

| YLE Radio Suomi

| {{N/A|}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Radio Suomi |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004142439.html |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Helsingin Sanomat |location=Helsinki, Finland |date=24 May 2003 |language=fi |url-access=subscription |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107150610/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004142439.html |url-status=live}}

|-

| YLE Radio Vega

| {{N/A|}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Radio Vega |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000003968340.html |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Helsingin Sanomat |location=Helsinki, Finland |date=24 May 2003 |language=fi |url-access=subscription |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107145215/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000003968340.html |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Italy|2003}}

| colspan="2" | GAY.tv

| {{ill|Fabio Canino|it}} and Paolo Quilici

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite web |title=L'Eurofestival più gay |trans-title=The gayest Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.gay.it/l-eurofestival-piu-gay |publisher=GAY.tv |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208144025/https://www.gay.it/l-eurofestival-piu-gay |archive-date=8 December 2022 |language=it |date=23 May 2003 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Lithuania}}

| LRT

| LTV

| {{ill|Darius Užkuraitis|lt}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=Sobota 24. V |trans-title=Saturday 24 May |url=https://pbc.uw.edu.pl//23302/1/99.pdf |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Kurier Wileński |location=Vilnius, Lithuania |date=23–25 May 2000 |page=10 |language=pl |via=Polonijna Biblioteka Cyfrowa}}{{cite news |last=Meškinytė |first=Adelė |title='Eurovizijos' balsas D.Užkuraitis: smagi atsiradimo konkurse istorija ir atsakymas, ką išties mano apie šou |trans-title=Eurovision voice D.Užkuraitis: a funny story of his appearance in the contest and the answer to what he really thinks about the show |url=https://www.15min.lt/zmones/naujiena/eurovizija/eurovizijos-balsas-d-uzkuraitis-smagi-atsiradimo-konkurse-istorija-ir-atsakymas-ka-isties-mano-apie-sou-1058-1318738 |access-date=3 December 2022 |work=15min |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203112323/https://www.15min.lt/zmones/naujiena/eurovizija/eurovizijos-balsas-d-uzkuraitis-smagi-atsiradimo-konkurse-istorija-ir-atsakymas-ka-isties-mano-apie-sou-1058-1318738 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |language=lt |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Serbia and Montenegro}}

| RTS

| RTS 2

| {{N/A|}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=24. мај – Субота |trans-title=24 May – Saturday |url=https://postimg.cc/vxgdT8CL |access-date=6 November 2024 |work={{ill|TV Novosti (magazine)|sr|ТВ Новости|lt=TV Novosti}} |date=24 May 2003 |location=Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro |page=23 |language=sr-cyrl}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Switzerland}}

| rowspan="3" | SRG SSR

| SF 2

| {{ill|Roman Kilchsperger|de}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite news |title=TV/Radio Samstag |url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=FZG20030524-01.1.9 |access-date=8 December 2022 |work={{ill|Freiburger Nachrichten|de}} |location=Fribourg, Switzerland |date=24 May 2003 |page=9 |language=de |via=e-newspaperarchives.ch}}

|-

| TSR 1

| Jean-Marc Richard and Alain Morisod

| style="text-align:center" | {{cite magazine |title=Samedi 24 mai |trans-title=Saturday 24 May |url=https://www.scriptorium.ch/zoom/323164/view?page=12&p=verso&tool=info |access-date=8 December 2022 |magazine=TV8 |volume=81 |issue=21 |date=22 May 2003 |location=Zofingen, Switzerland |pages=23–30 |language=fr |via=Scriptorium}}

|-

| TSI 1

| Daniele Rauseo

| style="text-align:center" |

|}

In January 2003, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that Riga was suffering from serious financial problems that could lead to a breach of contract so the contest might need to be moved to another city.{{cite web|first=Oliver|last=Rau|title=Financial problems in Riga|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1195/financial_problems_in_riga/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=28 January 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923032212/http://esctoday.com/1195/financial_problems_in_riga/|url-status=live}} Ilona Bērziņa, spokesperson of LTV, denied that potential financial issues the city council of Riga may be facing would interrupt the organisation of the contest.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=LTV: 'Eurovision Song Contest not in danger'|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1198/ltv_eurovision_song_contest_not_in_danger/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=29 January 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031221829/http://esctoday.com/1198/ltv_eurovision_song_contest_not_in_danger/|url-status=live}} In February 2003, The Baltic Times reported that a committee of Riga municipality rejected the proposal to withdraw the funds it pledged in support of organising the contest.{{cite web|first=Itamar|last=Barak|title=Riga municipality won't cut Eurovision budget|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1217/riga_municipality_wont_cut_eurovision_budget/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=2 February 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031225716/http://esctoday.com/1217/riga_municipality_wont_cut_eurovision_budget/|url-status=live}}

In March 2003, Danish newspaper B.T. published an article based on accusations that the EBU television director Bjørn Erichsen made in reference to LTV suffering from organisational chaos which could result in the removal of Latvia's hosting duties since they were running behind schedule.{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Ringby|title=Danish newspaper writes about LTV's chaos|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1409/danish_newspaper_writes_about_ltvs_chaos/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=15 March 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918073208/http://esctoday.com/1409/danish_newspaper_writes_about_ltvs_chaos/|url-status=live}} The general director of LTV, Uldis-Ivars Grava, replied, saying: "A few weeks ago, the EBU's legal director, Werner Rumphorst, was in Riga, and I spent an entire day with him and with the former general director of the Danish broadcaster DR, Bjørn Erichsen. We talked about co-operation and about programme exchanges, and neither of them said a single word that would indicate any doubts, lack of trust or accusation."{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=LTV: "Eurovision will take place in Riga!"|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1414/ltv_eurovision_will_take_place_in_riga/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=16 March 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918084407/http://esctoday.com/1414/ltv_eurovision_will_take_place_in_riga/|url-status=live}} Ingrida Smite, head of press for the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, reaffirmed that the contest would take place in Riga despite reports to the contrary.

Upon the selection of the Russian artists t.A.T.u., the duo gave an interview to German tabloid Bild in March 2003 where they claimed that they would win the contest without a doubt and criticised the German entrant Lou calling her a witch with duo member Julia Volkova (also referring to Germany's 2002 entrant) stating, "In Russia we nurse blind and old people, but we don't send them to the Grand Prix. This must be different in Germany."{{cite web|title=Grand-Prix sensation: t.A.T.u. participate against Lou*. ("Blind" - Germany)|url=http://eng.tatysite.net/press/transl.php?id=584_0_8_0_M|date=19 March 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203071936/http://eng.tatysite.net/press/transl.php?id=584_0_8_0_M|url-status=live}} Lou later responded to the comments stating, "I don't know whether bitching, fighting and boozing kids are the right representatives for such a beautiful country as Russia."

t.A.T.u.'s first rehearsal dominated proceedings on 20 May—the band were supposed to rehearse the day before, but had turned up a day late, claiming that Julia Volkova was suffering from a sore throat.{{cite news|title=Eurovision row over Tatu|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3045939.stm|work=BBC News|date=21 May 2003|access-date=22 March 2008|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026090443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3045939.stm|url-status=live}} The group were booed by journalists during their press conference where they complained about the production's poor lighting and stage. EBU supervisor Sarah Yuen said "They are the bad girls of pop… we shouldn’t have expected them to come here and be nice and pleasant."{{cite web|title=tATu plan to take Eurovision by storm|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/showbiz/tatu-plan-to-take-eurovision-by-storm-100070.html|publisher=BreakingNews.ie|date=23 May 2003|access-date=22 March 2008|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116032643/https://www.breakingnews.ie/showbiz/tatu-plan-to-take-eurovision-by-storm-100070.html|url-status=live}} The EBU had originally planned to have a pre-recorded performance of the Russian entry ready to substitute during the live broadcast in case the duo performed a lesbian publicity stunt on stage, which they deemed inappropriate for a family entertainment show.{{cite web|title=Tatu Lesbian Stunt Feared (SkyNews)|url=http://eng.tatysite.net/press/press.php?id=853_0_7_80|date=22 May 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203081127/http://eng.tatysite.net/press/press.php?id=853_0_7_80|url-status=live}} The EBU later stated that the performance would be broadcast live without any interruption.{{cite web|first=Oliver|last=Rau|title=t.A.T.u.'s performance will not be interrupted|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1637/t-a-t-u-s_performance_will_not_be_interrupted/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=24 May 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918074858/http://esctoday.com/1637/t-a-t-u-s_performance_will_not_be_interrupted/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Eurovision to Brave All with Live t.A.T.u. Show (Reuters)|url=http://eng.tatysite.net/press/press.php?id=870_0_7_40|date=25 May 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203065626/http://eng.tatysite.net/press/press.php?id=870_0_7_40|url-status=live}}

After the contest, Russian broadcaster Channel One complained that Irish broadcaster RTÉ had used a back-up jury, and that it had cost them victory. A statement by Channel One said "Considering [the] insignificant difference in points between the first and third places, there are grounds to believe that the contest results could be much different for Russia."{{cite news|first=Nick Paton|last=Walsh|title=Vote switch 'stole Tatu's Eurovision win'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/30/russia.arts|newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 May 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315124738/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/30/russia.arts|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Russia launches Eurovision appeal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2947872.stm|work=BBC News|date=29 May 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227025448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2947872.stm|url-status=live}} On the night of the competition, the voting polls operated by Irish telecommunications company Eircom suffered a delay in delivering the results on time, which prompted RTÉ to use the votes of the back-up jury instead.{{cite web|first=André|last=Rodrigues|title=EBU approves use back-up jury of Irish television|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1695/ebu_approves_use_back-up_jury_of_irish_television/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=20 June 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918074942/http://esctoday.com/1695/ebu_approves_use_back-up_jury_of_irish_television/|url-status=live}} The EBU cleared RTÉ of any potential wrongdoing after an investigation on the matter and stated that the rules concerning substituting the back-up jury in place of the televote were correctly applied. RTÉ later published the unused results of the televote, which showed that had the jury not been used, Turkey would still have won, and Ireland's voting "partners", the United Kingdom, would still have no points. Russia did not receive any points from the televote, however, since Belgium only received 2 points from the Irish televote as opposed to 10 points awarded by the Irish jury, Russia would have placed second.{{cite web|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|title=Irish televoting results finally announced|url=http://www.esctoday.com/1707/|publisher=ESCToday.com|date=27 June 2003|access-date=22 March 2008|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923040925/http://esctoday.com/1707/|url-status=live}}

File:Esther Hart 3.jpg, the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2003|t=Netherlands's representative}} and winner of the 2003 Marcel Bezençon Awards' Artistic Award]]

The Marcel Bezençon Awards, a series of awards held concurrently to the main contest, honour and celebrate the participants of the final of that year's Eurovision Song Contest. Named after one of the people influential in the creation of the contest,{{cite web |title=The Origins of Eurovision |url=https://eurovision.tv/history/origins-of-eurovision |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=7 May 2025 |date=27 May 2019}} and created by two former Swedish Eurovision participants, Christer Björkman ({{escyr|1992}}) and Richard Herrey ({{escyr|1984}} as a member of the winning group Herreys), the inaugural awards were presented at part of the {{escyr|2002||2002 event}}. Three awards were presented as part of the second edition of the awards in 2003, with the winner of each award determined by the collective votes of a different group of individuals:{{cite web |title=Marcel Bezençon Awards {{!}} Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=7 May 2025 |language=en |date=1 July 2019}}{{cite web |title=Marcel Bezençon Award |url=https://www.marcelbezenconaward.com/ |publisher=Marcel Bezençon Award |access-date=7 May 2025}}{{cite book |last1=Richard |first1=Jean-Marc |last2=Clapasson |first2=Mary |last3=Tanner |first3=Nicolas |title=La saga Eurovision |date=2017 |publisher=Favre |location=Lausanne, Switzerland |isbn=978-2-8289-1549-0 |pages=422–425 |language=fr}}

• The Press Award for the best competing song, as determined by the accredited press and media, was awarded to the {{esccnty|Turkey|y=2003|t=Turkish entry}}, "Everyway That I Can" performed by Sertab Erener
• The Artistic Award for the best artistic performance, as determined by previous Eurovision winners, was awarded to the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2003|t=Dutch entry}}, "One More Night" performed by Esther Hart
• The Fan Award, as determined by members of the international Eurovision fan club OGAE, was awarded to the {{esccnty|Spain|y=2003|t=Spanish entry}}, "{{lang|es|Dime|i=unset}}" performed by Beth

The winners each received a hand-blown glass trophy designed by Karin Hammar and created at the {{ill|Stockholm Glass Studio|sv|Stockholms glasbruk}}, which were handed out backstage prior to the contest proper.

File:ESC 2003 album cover.jpg

Eurovision Song Contest: Riga 2003 was the official compilation album of the 2003 contest, put together by the European Broadcasting Union and released by CMC International on 19 May 2003. The album featured all 26 songs that entered in the 2003 contest.{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest: Riga 2003|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurovision-Song-Contest-Riga-2003/dp/B00009EJIS/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=229816&s=music|website=amazon.co.uk|publisher=Amazon|access-date=5 November 2014|quote=Product details: released 19 May 2003|archive-date=29 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429150019/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurovision-Song-Contest-Riga-2003/dp/B00009EJIS/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=229816&s=music|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Eurovision Song Contest 2003}}

• {{Official website|https://eurovision.tv/}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030414040437/http://www.ebu.ch/news/pdf/ESC2003Rules.pdf Official rules for 2003]
• {{IMDb title|0367711}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2003}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Authority control}}

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2003

Category:Music festivals in Latvia

Category:2003 in Latvia

Category:2000s in Riga

Category:2003 song contests

Category:Music in Riga

Category:May 2003 in Europe

Category:Events in Riga