Eurovision Song Contest 2012

File:Baku Crystal Hall.jpg

{{location map+|Azerbaijan Baku

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| caption = Locations of the suggested venues in Baku, Azerbaijan: the chosen venue is marked in blue, while eliminated venues are marked in red

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{{location map~|Azerbaijan Baku|lat=40.397339|long=49.852433|label=Tofiq Bahramov Stadium|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}

{{location map~|Azerbaijan Baku|lat=40.391667|long=49.825|label=Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}}

{{location map~|Azerbaijan Baku|lat=40.3442|long=49.8502|label=Baku Crystal Hall|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}}}

Azerbaijan got the right to host the 2012 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest after winning the previous 2011 edition with the song "Running Scared" performed by Ell and Nikki.{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan's Eurovision rebirth|url=http://www.news.com.au/azerbaijans-eurovision-rebirth/story-fn7mjoe2-1226056434332|work=news.com.au|access-date=15 July 2012|date=16 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930095641/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/azerbaijans-eurovision-rebirth/story-fn7mjoe2-1226056434332|archive-date=30 September 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan win Eurovision Song Contest 2011|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a319549/azerbaijan-win-eurovision-song-contest-2011.html|website=Digital Spy|access-date=15 July 2012|author=Daniel Sperling|date=14 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530040545/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a319549/azerbaijan-win-eurovision-song-contest-2011.html|archive-date=30 May 2012|url-status=live}} Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region, was named the host city for the contest, with the venue being the Baku Crystal Hall, built a few months prior to the contest on the city's coastline.

Shortly after Azerbaijan's victory at the 2011 edition, officials announced that a new 23,000-seat concert venue was to be built near National Flag Square in Baku, as a potential venue for the event.{{cite web|script-title=ru:Для "Евровидения-2012" будет построена новая арена?|url=http://anspress.com/index.php?a=2&lng=ru&nid=100849|publisher=anspress.com|access-date=15 July 2012|author=Тарана Мустафаева|language=ru|date=17 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006043420/http://anspress.com/index.php?a=2&lng=ru&nid=100849|archive-date=6 October 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Special concert complex for Eurovision 2012 to be built in centre of Baku |url=http://abc.az/eng/news/main/54165.html |publisher=abc.az |access-date=9 August 2011 |date=16 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817135117/http://abc.az/eng/news/main/54165.html |archive-date=17 August 2011 }} Three days later, other venue options were revealed by organisers, such as the 37,000-seat Tofiq Bahramov Stadium and the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex.{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan has not yet selected site for Eurovision 2012 |url=http://abc.az/eng/news/main/54292.html |publisher=abc.az |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=9 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522054754/http://abc.az/eng/news/main/54292.html |archive-date=22 May 2011 }} On 2 August 2011, Alpine Bau Deutschland AG was awarded the contract to construct the Baku Crystal Hall. Preparations for construction began in the area shortly after the announcement.{{cite web|title=German company to construct Modern Sport-Concert Complex in Azerbaijan's capital |url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=154140 |work=en.apa.az |publisher=APA News Agency |access-date=1 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325184943/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=154140 |archive-date=25 March 2012}} Even though the full cost of the contract was not named, the government allocated 6 million AZN for the construction of the venue.{{cite web|title=Second largest sport-concert complex to appear in Baku in April 2012 |url=http://abc.az/eng/news_01_09_2011_57201.html |work=abc.az |publisher=FINEKO Analytic & Informational Agency |access-date=1 September 2011 |date=1 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122032535/http://abc.az/eng/news_01_09_2011_57201.html |archive-date=22 January 2012}}

On 8 September 2011, Azad Azerbaijan TV (ATV) reported that Baku Crystal Hall would be the venue of the contest, but no formal confirmation was made at the time by the EBU. On 31 October 2011, Ismayil Omarov, the director general of Azerbaijani national broadcaster İctimai Television announced that a decision on the venue choice would be taken by the steering committee in January 2012.{{cite web|title=General: Reference Group Baku Bound|url=http://www.escdaily.com/reference-group-baku-bound/|publisher=ESCDaily.com|access-date=15 July 2012|date=29 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605192634/http://www.escdaily.com/reference-group-baku-bound/|archive-date=5 June 2012}} On 25 January 2012, it was confirmed that the Baku Crystal Hall would be the venue of the contest.{{cite web|title=Crystal Hall approved as Eurovision 2012 venue|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=45013&_t=crystal_hall_approved_as_eurovision_2012_venue|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=25 January 2012|author=Jarmo Siim|date=25 January 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203004411/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=45013|archive-date=3 December 2012|url-status=live}} Even though the venue had an extended capacity of 23,000 people, only 16,000 people were able to attend each show. Tickets for the contest became available online for purchase on 28 February 2012.{{cite web|title=Venue likely to host Eurovision 2012 in Baku to be biggest ever in recent history of contest|url=http://en.trend.az/news/society/1929119.html|publisher=Trend News Agency|access-date=1 September 2011|date=1 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003044149/http://en.trend.az/news/society/1929119.html|archive-date=3 October 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Baku 2012: Tickets on sale from 28th February|url=http://escxtra.com/2012/02/tickets-on-sale-from-28th-february/|publisher=ESCXtra.com|access-date=16 June 2012|author=Ryan Wilson|location=Australia|date=15 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513050659/http://escxtra.com/2012/02/tickets-on-sale-from-28th-february/|archive-date=13 May 2013}}

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

{{ESC 2012 participants}}

On 17 January 2012, the EBU initially announced that forty-three countries would take part in the 2012 contest.{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/43-countries-represented-at-eurovision-2012|title=43 countries represented at Eurovision 2012|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=17 January 2012|date=17 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012083024/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=44483|archive-date=12 October 2014|url-status=live}} The 57th edition saw the return of Montenegro, who was last represented by Andrea Demirović in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1482|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Final|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=17 June 2012|date=16 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218032254/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1482|archive-date=18 December 2015|url-status=live}} Poland decided not to participate, due to the financial burden of the UEFA Euro 2012 (which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine) and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Armenia, who had originally planned to participate, later withdrew their application due to security concerns related to the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, subsequently reducing the number of participating countries to 42.{{cite web|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|title=Armenia withdraws from Eurovision 2012|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=48413&_t=armenia_withdraws_from_eurovision_2012|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=12 March 2012|date=7 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121701/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=48413|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=live}}

Four artists returned in this year's contest. Kaliopi had intented to participate for {{esccnty|Macedonia|y=1996|t=Macedonia in 1996}} with the song "Samo ti", which placed in 26th position in the pre-qualifying round.{{cite web|url=http://www.escdaily.com/fyr-macedonia-kaliopi-selected-to-baku/|title=FYR Macedonia: Kaliopi internally selected to Baku!|last=Pozzi|first=Renee|date=19 November 2011|publisher=ESCDaily.com|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616004033/http://www.escdaily.com/fyr-macedonia-kaliopi-selected-to-baku/|archive-date=16 June 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest 1996|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=311#About_the_show|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=17 June 2012|date=18 May 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231163933/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=311#About_the_show|archive-date=31 December 2010|url-status=live}} She would then go on to represent {{esccnty|Macedonia|y=2016|t=Macedonia in 2016}}. Jónsi had represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2004|t=Iceland in 2004}} with the song "Heaven", which placed 19th.{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2004 Final|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=8|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=17 June 2012|date=15 May 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231085605/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=8|archive-date=31 December 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.escdaily.com/baku-2012-mundu-eftir-mer-for-iceland/|title=Baku 2012: "Mundu eftir mér" for Iceland|last=G|first=Luke|date=11 February 2012|publisher=ESCDaily.com|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615222054/http://www.escdaily.com/baku-2012-mundu-eftir-mer-for-iceland/|archive-date=15 June 2013|url-status=live}} Željko Joksimović for Serbia,{{cite web|url=http://www.escradio.com/2012/05/zeljko-joksimovic-returns-to-eurovision/|title=Željko Joksimović returns to Eurovision|last=Mourinho|first=Daniel|date=5 May 2012|work=ESC Radio|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513094911/http://www.escradio.com/2012/05/zeljko-joksimovic-returns-to-eurovision/|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=live}} had represented {{esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro|y=2004|t=Serbia and Montenegro in 2004}} with the song "Lane moje" which placed second, and had co-hosted the {{escyr|2008||2008 contest}} with Jovana Janković. Jedward had represented {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2011|t=Ireland in 2011}}, and returned for a second consecutive year, after their 8th-place finish with the song "Lipstick".{{cite web|url=http://www.escdaily.com/ireland-jedward-return-with-waterline/|title=Ireland: Jedward return with "Waterline"|last=G|first=Luke|date=25 February 2012|publisher=ESCDaily.com|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226081141/http://www.escdaily.com/ireland-jedward-return-with-waterline/|archive-date=26 February 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2011 Final|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1553|publisher=EBU|access-date=17 June 2012|date=14 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701160933/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1553|archive-date=1 July 2012|url-status=live}} In addition, Martina Majerle, who represented {{esccnty|Slovenia|y=2009|t=Slovenia in 2009}}, returned as a backing vocalist for Slovenia.

Lys Assia, who won the first Eurovison for {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=1956|t=Switzerland in 1956}}, entered the song "{{lang|fr|C'était ma vie|i=no}}", written by Ralph Siegel and Jean Paul Cara, into the {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2012|t=2012 Swiss national selection}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/17675 |title=First Eurovision winner Lys Assia submitted a song in the Swiss selection |access-date=23 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101223810/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/17675 |archive-date=1 January 2012 }}{{cite news |language=fr |url=http://www.rts.ch/archives/tv/information/journal/4880509-lys-assia.html |title=Lys Assia |work=Les archives de la Radio télévision suisse |publisher=Radio télévision suisse |date=6 November 2011 |agency=Le projet de numérisation des archives de la RTS |quote=Document |access-date=23 May 2013 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325134403/http://www.rts.ch/archives/tv/information/journal/4880509-lys-assia.html |url-status=live }} The song, however, only came eighth in a closely fought national selection. Assia attended the event in Baku as a guest of honour.{{cite web|first=Verena|last=Teuber|url=http://www.eurovisionary.com/eurovision-news/eurovision-weekend-held-berlin-3rd-5th-august|title=Eurovision weekend held in Berlin from 3 August-5 August|website=OGAE Germany|date=1 July 2012|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201133646/https://www.eurovisionary.com/eurovision-news/eurovision-weekend-held-berlin-3rd-5th-august|url-status=live}}

The Finnish entry, "När jag blundar", sung by Pernilla Karlsson, was only Finland's second entry in Swedish (after "Fri?" by Beat in 1990) and the first entry at all to be sung in Swedish since 1998. Russia's entry, "Party for Everybody", sung by Buranovskiye Babushki, was the first entry ever to be performed in Udmurt. The Georgian entry, "I'm a Joker" was the first Eurovision entry containing the Georgian language while the Bulgarian song "Love Unlimited" had a few words in the Azerbaijani language, both of whom never appeared at the contest before.

• {{esc|Armenia}}{{snd}}On 7 March 2012, the EBU announced that Armenian broadcaster ARMTV had decided to withdraw despite originally being included in the list of participating countries, after Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev had given a speech the previous week calling "Armenians of the world" one of Azerbaijan's "main enemies".{{cite news|title=Armenia pulls out of Azerbaijan-hosted Eurovision show|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17292360|work=BBC News|access-date=2 June 2012|date=7 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605154823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17292360|archive-date=5 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=No Saturday Night Fever, As Armenia Mulls Eurovision Blackout|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-may-not-show-eurovision-in-azerbaijan/24589483.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|access-date=15 July 2012|author=Anna Barseghian|author2=Daisy Sindelar|date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714211830/http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-may-not-show-eurovision-in-azerbaijan/24589483.html|archive-date=14 July 2012|url-status=live}} Armenia was consequently fined by the EBU and was expected to face further penalties, such as exclusion from participation in future contests if it failed to comply with the EBU requirements.{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/world/20120503/173190419.html|title=Armenia Fined for Refusal to Take Part in Eurovision 2012|last=Melnikov|first=Valery|date=3 May 2012|publisher=RIA Novosti|access-date=3 May 2012|location=Moscow|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625195131/http://en.ria.ru/world/20120503/173190419.html|archive-date=25 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.escdaily.com/ebu-armenia-might-not-participate-in-2013/|title=EBU: Armenia to face sanctions for late withdrawal|last=Nuhiu|first=Rinor|date=2 May 2012|publisher=ESC Daily|access-date=3 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508200059/http://www.escdaily.com/ebu-armenia-might-not-participate-in-2013/|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=live}} Armenia had been in a continuous state of war with Azerbaijan since the early 1990s due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/russian/documen/scresol/res1993/res822.htm |script-title=ru:Резолюция СБ ООН № 822 от 30 апреля 1993 года |publisher=United Nations Security Council |access-date=4 January 2011 |date=30 April 1993 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503185041/http://www.un.org/russian/documen/scresol/res1993/res822.htm |archive-date=3 May 2011}}

Active EBU member broadcasters in {{Esccnty|Andorra}}, {{Esccnty|Czech Republic}}, {{Esccnty|Luxembourg}} and {{Esccnty|Poland}} confirmed non-participation prior to the announcement of the participants list by the EBU.{{cite web|url=http://www.escdaily.com/andorra-rtva-to-quit-the-european-broadcasting-union/|title=Andorra: RTVA to quit the European Broadcasting Union!|last=Nuhiu|first=Rinor|work=ESCDaily|date=10 November 2011|access-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616040548/http://www.escdaily.com/andorra-rtva-to-quit-the-european-broadcasting-union/|archive-date=16 June 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.escdaily.com/articles/24348|title=Andorra: No return planned for 2012|work=ESCDaily.com|date=19 October 2011|access-date=19 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022034419/http://escdaily.com/articles/24348|archive-date=22 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://escdaily.com/articles/26649|title=Czech Republic: No return in Baku|work=ESCDaily.com|date=24 November 2011|access-date=24 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128123439/http://escdaily.com/articles/26649|archive-date=28 November 2011}}{{cite news|title=Luxembourg: No participation in Eurovision 2012|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/luxembourg-no-participation-at-eurovision-2012/|access-date=16 June 2012|newspaper=EurovisionTimes|date=31 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308151414/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/luxembourg-no-participation-at-eurovision-2012/|archive-date=8 March 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Pozzi|first=Renee|title=Poland: TVP to make participation decision on November 24th|url=http://www.escdaily.com/poland-tvp-to-make-participation-decision-on-november-24th/|work=ESCDaily|access-date=16 June 2012|date=7 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615223642/http://www.escdaily.com/poland-tvp-to-make-participation-decision-on-november-24th/|archive-date=15 June 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=G|first=Luke|title=Poland: TVP withdraws from Eurovision 2012|url=http://www.escdaily.com/poland-tvp-withdraws-from-eurovision-2012/|work=ESCDaily|access-date=16 June 2012|date=16 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529164159/http://www.escdaily.com/poland-tvp-withdraws-from-eurovision-2012/|archive-date=29 May 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/eurovision-2012-no-list-of-participants-no-venue-no-tickets-no-hope|title=Eurovision 2012: No List of Participants, No Venue, No Tickets... No Hope?|work=Eurovision Times|date=8 January 2012|access-date=13 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114062252/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/eurovision-2012-no-list-of-participants-no-venue-no-tickets-no-hope/|archive-date=14 January 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/ebu-list-of-participants-to-be-released-next-week|title=EBU: List of Participants To Be Released Next Week|work=Eurovision Times|date=13 January 2012|access-date=15 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304012900/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/ebu-list-of-participants-to-be-released-next-week/|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=live}} The {{Esccnty|Monaco|t=Monegasque}} and {{Esccnty|Morocco|t=Moroccan}} broadcasters did the same, despite previous speculations of a possible return.{{cite web|title=Monaco: Talks about a return at Eurovision|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/monaco-talks-about-a-return-to-eurovision/|work=EurovisionTimes|access-date=16 June 2012|date=23 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526021828/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/monaco-talks-about-a-return-to-eurovision/|archive-date=26 May 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/monaco-dampned-expectations/|title=Monaco: Dampned Expectations|work=EurovisionTimes|date=3 December 2011|access-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120102070047/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/monaco-dampned-expectations/|archive-date=2 January 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.news.az/articles/eurovision/41819|title=Morocco bids to take part in Eurovision|work=News.Az|date=3 August 2011|access-date=9 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823074938/http://www.news.az/articles/eurovision/41819|archive-date=23 August 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gun.az/eurovision2012/10234|title=Bakıdakı "Eurovision" da Afrika ölkəsi iştirak edə bilər|work=Gün.Az|language=az|date=3 August 2011|access-date=9 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129144549/http://www.gun.az/eurovision2012/10234|archive-date=29 November 2011}}

On 26 November 2011, it was reported that two official EBU documents showed that {{Esccnty|Liechtenstein}}'s only national broadcaster 1 FL TV was being granted active EBU membership, sparking speculations of a debut for the nation.{{cite web|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/is-liechtenstein-an-ebu-member/|title=Is Liechtenstein an EBU Member?|work=Eurovision Times|date=26 November 2011|access-date=17 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522093431/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/is-liechtenstein-an-ebu-member/|archive-date=22 May 2012|url-status=live}} However, it was clarified a few days later that these documents contained editing mistakes.{{cite web|url=http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/exclusive-no-participation-of-liechtenstein-at-eurovision-2012/|title=No Participation of Liechtenstein at Eurovision 2012|work=Eurovision Times|date=29 November 2011|access-date=17 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615162250/http://eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/exclusive-no-participation-of-liechtenstein-at-eurovision-2012/|archive-date=15 June 2012|url-status=live}}

File:Pht-Vugar Ibadov eurovision (26).jpg, Eldar Gasimov and Nargiz Birk-Petersen]]

In a meeting of the Eurovision Reference Group on 29 June 2011,{{cite web|title=Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/baku-2012/about/organisers/reference-group|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=16 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619004315/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/baku-2012/about/organisers/reference-group|archive-date=19 June 2012}} it was decided that the televoting system would revert the format used most recently in the 2009 contest, in which the phone and SMS lines opened for a fifteen-minute window after all songs had been performed, instead of opening before the show starts, which was the system used between 2010 and 2011. The results format of each show remained the same with each country's votes being decided on a 50:50 split between televoting and a national jury. Each participating country had their own national jury, which consisted of five professional members of the music industry.{{cite web|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|title=EBU restores televoting window as from 2012|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=37013&_t=ebu_restores_televoting_window_as_from_2012|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=4 July 2011|date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731015547/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=37013&_t=ebu_restores_televoting_window_as_from_2012|archive-date=31 July 2012|url-status=live}}

Under the official rules released on 24 November 2011, the number of participants in the grand final was raised to 26, including the host nation, the "Big Five", and the ten qualifiers from each semi-final. This was the second time in the Eurovision Song Contest that 26 countries were in the grand final, the first being the 2003 contest.{{cite web|title=Extracts from the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest rules |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/press-downloads/2012/ESC_2012_public_version_Rules_ENG.pdf |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=25 November 2011|date=24 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321165509/http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/press-downloads/2012/ESC_2012_public_version_Rules_ENG.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2012 }}{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest History|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=217|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=16 June 2012|date=24 May 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605072105/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=217|archive-date=5 June 2011|url-status=live}}

File:Eurovision Song Contest 2012, semi-final allocation draw (5).jpg in Baku.]]

File:ESC 2012 Semi-Finals 2.svg

The draw that determined the semi-final running order was held on 25 January 2012 at the Buta Palace. The participating countries, excluding the automatic finalists (Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), were split into six pots, based upon how those countries voted in past contests. From these pots, half (or as close to half as possible) competed in the first semi-final on 22 May 2012. The other half in that particular pot competed in the second semi-final on 24 May 2012. This draw also acted as an approximate running order, in order for the delegations from the countries to know when their rehearsals would commence and determine which semi-final the automatic finalists would be allowed to vote in.{{cite web|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|title=Eurovision 2012 slogan presented on 25 January|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=44733&_t=eurovision_2012_slogan_presented_on_25_january|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=24 January 2012|date=21 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320133513/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=44733&_t=eurovision_2012_slogan_presented_on_25_january|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|title=Baku: All songs officially presented to EBU|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=49583&_t=baku_all_songs_officially_presented_to_ebu|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=19 March 2012|date=19 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531064626/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=49583&_t=baku_all_songs_officially_presented_to_ebu|archive-date=31 May 2013|url-status=live}}

File:Crystal Hall Baku Inside.jpg

The design of the contest was built around the motto "Light Your Fire!", inspired by the nickname of Azerbaijan itself, "Land of Fire".{{cite web|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|title=Baku 2012: Light your fire!|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=43383&_t=baku_2012_light_your_fire|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=25 January 2012|date=25 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205195650/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=43383|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=live}}

Each introductory video postcard began with a shot of the artist and performers, followed with the flag and country name in a handwritten font with a background resembling the yellow, orange and red fire of the 2012 theme art. The postcards consisted of various shots of Azerbaijan, with a caption displaying 'Azerbaijan' and underneath 'Land of ...' (e.g. Land of Abundance; Land of Poetry etc.), which were then followed by the name of a town or geographic feature, showing the landscape and culture of the country. Some postcards focused on the host city of Baku with text changing to 'Baku' and underneath 'City of ...' (e.g. City of Jazz; City of Leisure etc.). The postcards finished with a shot of the Crystal Hall displayed in the colours of the performing country's flag. These postcards acted as a tourism mechanism to present the country to a wider audience.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=first_semi-final_under_way_-_watch_it_live_here|title=First Semi-Final concludes, we have ten finalists!|date=22 May 2012|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=7 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710080822/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=first_semi-final_under_way_-_watch_it_live_here|archive-date=10 July 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=second_semi-final_live_we_have_our_ten_qualifiers|title=Second Semi-Final: We have our ten qualifiers|date=24 May 2012|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=7 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530060407/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=second_semi-final_live_we_have_our_ten_qualifiers|archive-date=30 May 2012|url-status=live}}

The artist, song and number graphics as well as tables and voting graphics were kept the same as those used in 2011, with a slight modification to incorporate the 2012 theme art. The lower points (1-7) were highlighted in red squares while the top points (8, 10, 12) were highlighted in orange squares with each square increasing in size in relation to the point value. Both sets of graphics were designed by London brand design agency Turquoise Branding.{{cite web|url=http://www.turquoisebranding.com/2012/work/01/25/eurovision-2012-light-your-fire/|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Official Logo + Visual Identity|date=25 January 2012|publisher=Turquoise Branding|access-date=25 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530015617/http://www.turquoisebranding.com/2012/work/01/25/eurovision-2012-light-your-fire/|archive-date=30 May 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=43383&_t=baku_2012_light_your_fire|title=Baku 2012: Light your fire!|date=25 January 2012|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=7 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205195650/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=43383|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=live}}

İctimai Television (İTV), which was the EBU member that broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan, is one of country's public-service broadcasters.{{cite web|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|title=Eurovision Song Contest governing body to meet in Baku first time|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=38213&_t=eurovision_song_contest_governing_body_to_meet_in_baku_first_time|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=31 August 2011|date=29 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929211701/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=38213&_t=eurovision_song_contest_governing_body_to_meet_in_baku_first_time|archive-date=29 September 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Host broadcaster in 2012|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/baku-2012/about/organisers/host-broadcaster|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=24 August 2011|date=24 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924011249/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/baku-2012/about/organisers/host-broadcaster|archive-date=24 September 2011|url-status=live}} Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Technology of Azerbaijan, Iltimas Mammadov, stated that telecom networks were ready to host the event. Azerbaijan's largest telecommunications operator, Azercell, was chosen as the presenting partner for the contest.{{cite web|title=Azercell becomes Eurovision 2012 Presenting Partner|url=http://company.azercell.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2011/20407/|publisher=Azercell Telecom LLC Press Service|date=16 August 2011|access-date=24 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918044029/http://company.azercell.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2011/20407/|archive-date=18 September 2011}} On 1 December 2011, İTV named the German production company Brainpool as its official production partner for the contest, citing the quality of its work on the previous year's contest.{{cite web|title=Brainpool chosen Eurovision 2012 Production Partner|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=41573&_t=brainpool_chosen_eurovision_2012_production_partner|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|date=1 December 2011|access-date=3 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531073316/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=41573&_t=brainpool_chosen_eurovision_2012_production_partner|archive-date=31 May 2013|url-status=live}}

Azerbaijan, Italy and Spain voted in the first semi-final.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=45043&_t=results_of_the_semi-final_allocation_draw|title=Results of the Semi-Final allocation draw|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=25 January 2012|date=25 January 2012|last=Escudero|first=Victor|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130706184430/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=45043|archive-date=6 July 2013|url-status=live}} The EBU allowed the Albanian broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) to defer transmission and only use jury votes due to the Qafa e Vishës bus accident.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=59793&_t=albania_to_broadcast_tonights_semi-final_deferred|work=European Broadcasting Union|title=Albania to broadcast tonights semifinal deferred|access-date=22 May 2012|date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523161447/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=59793&_t=albania_to_broadcast_tonights_semi-final_deferred|archive-date=23 May 2012|url-status=live}}

{{Legend|navajowhite|Qualifiers}}

France, Germany and the United Kingdom voted in the second semi-final. Germany requested that they vote in this semi-final. Before it withdrew, Armenia was drawn to perform in the first half of this semi-final.

{{Legend|navajowhite|Qualifiers}}

{{Legend|gold|Winner}}

Each participating broadcaster appointed a spokesperson who was responsible for announcing, in English or French, the votes for its respective country. The order in which each country announced their vote was determined in a draw following the jury results from the final dress rehearsal. Similar to the {{escyr|2011||2011 contest}} an algorithm was used to add as much excitement as possible. The spokespersons are shown alongside each country.{{cite web |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Running order for the voting tonight |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=running_order_for_the_voting_tonight|publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=26 May 2012 |date=26 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618135712/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=running_order_for_the_voting_tonight |archive-date=18 June 2012 |url-status=dead}}

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

1. {{flagu|Albania}}{{snd}}Andri Xhahu
2. {{flagu|Montenegro}}{{snd}}Marija Marković
3. {{flagu|Romania}}{{snd}}Paula Seling
4. {{flagu|Austria}}{{snd}}Kati Bellowitsch
5. {{flagu|Ukraine}}{{snd}}Oleksiy Matias
6. {{flagu|Belarus}}{{snd}}Dmitry Koldun
7. {{flagu|Belgium}}{{snd}}Peter Van de Veire
8. {{flagu|Azerbaijan}}{{snd}}Safura Alizadeh
9. {{flagu|Malta}}{{snd}}Keith Demicoli
10. {{flagu|San Marino}}{{snd}}Monica Fabbri
11. {{flagu|France}}{{snd}}Amaury Vassili
12. {{flagu|United Kingdom}}{{snd}}Scott Mills
13. {{flagu|Turkey}}{{snd}}{{ill|Ömer Önder|tr}}
14. {{flagu|Greece}}{{snd}}Adriana Magania
15. {{flagu|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}{{snd}}Elvir Laković Laka
16. {{flagu|Moldova}}{{snd}}Olivia Fortuna
17. {{flagu|Bulgaria}}{{snd}}Anna Angelova
18. {{flagu|Switzerland}}{{snd}}Sara Hildebrand
19. {{flagu|Slovenia}}{{snd}}Lorella Flego
20. {{flagu|Cyprus}}{{snd}}Loucas Hamatsos
21. {{flagu|Croatia}}{{snd}}Nevena Rendeli
22. {{flagu|Slovakia}}{{snd}}Mária Pietrová
23. {{flagu|North Macedonia|name=Macedonia}}{{snd}}Kristina Talevska
24. {{flagu|Netherlands}}{{snd}}Vivienne van den Assem
25. {{flagu|Portugal}}{{snd}}Joana Teles
26. {{flagu|Iceland}}{{snd}}Matthías Matthíasson
27. {{flagu|Sweden}}{{snd}}Sarah Dawn Finer{{cite web|url=http://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/yohio-presenterar-de-svenska-rosterna-i-eurovision-song-contest|title=YOHIO presenterar de svenska rösterna i Eurovision Song Contest|author=Mirja Bokholm|date=22 April 2013|work=SVT.se|language=sv|access-date=22 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426020541/http://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/yohio-presenterar-de-svenska-rosterna-i-eurovision-song-contest|archive-date=26 April 2013|url-status=live}}
28. {{flagu|Norway}}{{snd}}Nadia Hasnaoui
29. {{flagu|Lithuania}}{{snd}}Ignas Krupavičius
30. {{flagu|Estonia}}{{snd}}Getter Jaani
31. {{flagu|Denmark}}{{snd}}{{ill|Louise Wolff|da}}
32. {{flagu|Latvia}}{{snd}}Valters Frīdenbergs
33. {{flagu|Spain}}{{snd}}Elena S. Sánchez
34. {{flagu|Finland}}{{snd}}Mr Lordi
35. {{flagu|Georgia}}{{snd}}Sopho Toroshelidze
36. {{flagu|Italy}}{{snd}}{{ill|Ivan Bacchi|it}}
37. {{flagu|Serbia}}{{snd}}{{ill|Maja Nikolić (presenter)|sr|lt=Maja Nikolić|Маја Николић (водитељка)}}
38. {{flagu|Germany}}{{snd}}Anke Engelke
39. {{flagu|Russia}}{{snd}}Oxana Fedorova
40. {{flagu|Hungary}}{{snd}}Éva Novodomszky
41. {{flagu|Israel}}{{snd}}Ofer Nachshon
42. {{flagu|Ireland}}{{snd}}Gráinne Seoige{{efn|Ireland was originally scheduled to announce its votes as the 32nd country, but instead voted 42nd (last). The reason for this was technical difficulties in the minutes running up to the voting presentation.|name=IRL}}

{{Div col end}}

The EBU and PwC audit company checked and verified the individual jury and televoting results, which were combined to create the overall national vote for the contests. On 18 June 2012, the EBU published the following results.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/?p=36768|title=Split Jury and Televoting results announced|publisher=ESCToday.com|last=Hondal|first=Victor|date=18 June 2012|access-date=18 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619230126/http://www.esctoday.com/?p=36768|archive-date=19 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Siim |first=Jarmo |title=Eurovision 2012 split jury-televote results revealed |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=eurovision_2012_split_jury-televote_results_revealed |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=1 May 2021 |date=18 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621115038/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=eurovision_2012_split_jury-televote_results_revealed |archive-date=21 June 2012 |url-status=dead}}

{{Legend|navajowhite|Qualifiers}}

Below is a summary of the maximum 12 points each country awarded to another in the first semi-final:

{{Legend|navajowhite|Qualifiers}}

Below is a summary of the maximum 12 points each country awarded to another in the second semi-final:

{{Legend|gold|Winner}}

Below is a summary of the maximum 12 points each country awarded to another in the grand final:

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

Most countries sent commentators to Baku or commentated from their own country, in order to add insight to the participants and, if necessary, the provision of voting information. In addition to the participating countries, the hosts mentioned that the contest was also broadcast in Australia and New Zealand. Known details on the broadcasts in each country, including the specific broadcasting stations and commentators are shown in the tables below.

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web|url=http://eurovision.france3.fr/programme.php |title=Programme de Le 57ème Concours Eurovision de la chanson |work=France Télévisions |language=fr |access-date=8 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626051143/http://eurovision.france3.fr/programme.php |archive-date=26 June 2012 }}

|-

| France Ô

| SF2

| {{ill|Audrey Chauveau|fr}} and {{ill|Bruno Berberes|fr}}

|-

| France 3

| rowspan="2" | Final

| Cyril Féraud and Mireille Dumas

| {{cite web|title=Soirée fun en vue: Mireille Dumas et Cyril Féraud commenteront l'Eurovision|publisher=L'Express|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/culture/tele/mireille-dumas-et-cyril-feraud-commentera-l-eurovision-2012-fun-en-vue_1092464.html|access-date=13 March 2012|date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529071658/http://www.lexpress.fr/culture/tele/mireille-dumas-et-cyril-feraud-commentera-l-eurovision-2012-fun-en-vue_1092464.html|archive-date=29 May 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

| Radio France

| France Bleu

| {{ill|Fabien Lecœuvre|fr}} and Serge Poezevara

|

|-

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

| GPB

| 1TV

| All shows

| Temo Kvirkvelia

|

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Germany}}

| ARD

| Das Erste

| rowspan="3" | All shows

| Peter Urban

| {{cite web|url=http://programm.daserste.de/pages/programm/detail.aspx?id=FED47CDF9C7D6E93F924010A2641AB3F|title=ESC 2012 Eurovision Song Contest 2012|publisher=ARD|language=de|date=18 May 2012|access-date=18 May 2012|archive-date=14 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714014326/http://programm.daserste.de/pages/programm/detailArch.aspx?id=FED47CDF9C7D6E93F924010A2641AB3F|url-status=live}}

|-

| NDR

| NDR 2

| Thomas Mohr

| {{cite web|url=http://www.ndr.de/ndr2/programm/spezialbaku101.html|title=NDR 2 Spezial: Der umstrittene ESC in Baku|publisher=NDR|language=de|date=24 May 2012|access-date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513135333/http://www.ndr.de/ndr2/programm/spezialbaku101.html|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=live}}

|-

| HR

| hr3

| Tim Frühling

| {{cite web|url=http://www.hr-online.de/website/radio/hr3/index.jsp?rubrik=70296&key=standard_document_44846946|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2012|work=hr|language=de|date=24 May 2012|access-date=1 June 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527104819/http://www.hr-online.de/website/radio/hr3/index.jsp?rubrik=70296&key=standard_document_44846946|archive-date=27 May 2012|url-status=dead}}

|-

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

| ERT

| NET

| All shows

| Maria Kozakou

| {{cite web|url=http://ogaegreece.com/greece-2012-68/|script-title=el:ΕΛΛΑΔΑ: ….τελικά η Μαρία Κοζάκου ταξιδεύει στο Μπακού!|work=OGAE|language=el|date=30 April 2012|access-date=15 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509050833/http://ogaegreece.com/greece-2012-68/|archive-date=9 May 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| MTVA

| m1

| All shows

| {{ill|Gábor Gundel Takács|hu|Gundel Takács Gábor}}

| {{cite web|title=Gunda goes to the Eurovision Song Contest|language=hu|url=http://www.blikk.hu/blikk_sztarvilag/gundi-megy-az-eurovizios-dalfesztivalra-2074432|work=blikk.hu|date=12 December 2012|access-date=7 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107204723/http://www.blikk.hu/blikk_sztarvilag/gundi-megy-az-eurovizios-dalfesztivalra-2074432|archive-date=7 January 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| RÚV

| Sjónvarpið

| All shows

| Hrafnhildur Halldorsdóttir

| {{cite web|title=Hellulagt í lakkskóm í Baku|url=http://ruv.is/frett/evrovisjon/hellulagt-i-lakkskom-i-baku|publisher=RÚV|access-date=15 July 2012|language=is|date=14 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107162646/http://ruv.is/frett/evrovisjon/hellulagt-i-lakkskom-i-baku|archive-date=7 January 2014}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Ireland}}

| rowspan="3" | RTÉ

| RTÉ Two

| Semi-finals

| rowspan="2" | Marty Whelan

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web |title=RTÉ Presspack - The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals |url=https://presspack.rte.ie/2012/05/20/the-eurovision-song-contest-semi-finals/ |website=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ Press Centre |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223084807/https://presspack.rte.ie/2012/05/20/the-eurovision-song-contest-semi-finals/ |archive-date=23 December 2021 |date=20 May 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=RTÉ Presspack - The Eurovision Song Contest *Final* |url=https://presspack.rte.ie/2012/05/26/the-eurovision-song-contest-final/ |website=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ Press Centre |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223084836/https://presspack.rte.ie/2012/05/26/the-eurovision-song-contest-final/ |archive-date=23 December 2021 |date=26 May 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

| RTÉ One

| rowspan="2" | Final

|-

| RTÉ Radio 1

| Shay Byrne and Zbyszek Zalinski

| {{cite web |title=RTÉ Presspack - The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final |url=https://presspack.rte.ie/2012/05/26/the-eurovision-song-contest-grand-final/ |website=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ Press Centre |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223084253/https://presspack.rte.ie/2012/05/26/the-eurovision-song-contest-grand-final/ |archive-date=23 December 2021 |date=26 May 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

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

| IBA

| {{N/A| }}

| All shows

| No commentary

|

|-

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

| rowspan="2" | RAI

| Rai 5

| SF1

| {{ill|Federica Gentile|it}}

| {{cite web|url=http://www.eurofestival.ws/2012/05/12/non-solo-gialappas-band-la-semifinale-a-federica-gentile/|title=Non solo Gialappa's Band: la semifinale a Federica Gentile (Radio 2)|work=eurofestival.ws|language=it|date=12 May 2012|access-date=12 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809083536/http://www.eurofestival.ws/2012/05/12/non-solo-gialappas-band-la-semifinale-a-federica-gentile/|archive-date=9 August 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

| Rai 2

| Final

| {{ill|Filippo Solibello|it}} and {{ill|Marco Ardemagni|it}}

| {{cite web|url=http://www.eurofestival.ws/2012/05/18/la-finale-delleurovision-2012-affidata-a-solibello-e-ardemagni-radio-2/|title=La finale dell'Eurovision 2012 affidata a Solibello e Ardemagni (Radio 2)|work=eurofestival.ws|language=it|date=18 May 2012|access-date=18 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528061810/http://www.eurofestival.ws/2012/05/18/la-finale-delleurovision-2012-affidata-a-solibello-e-ardemagni-radio-2/|archive-date=28 May 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| rowspan="2" | LTV

| rowspan="2" | LTV1

| All shows

| Valters Frīdenbergs

| {{cite web|url=http://www.tvnet.lv/muzika/latvija/422467-anmary_gatava_eirovizijas_pusfinalam|title=Anmary gatava Eirovīzijas pusfinālam|date=21 May 2012|publisher=Tvnet.lv|language=lv|access-date=21 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523112847/http://www.tvnet.lv/muzika/latvija/422467-anmary_gatava_eirovizijas_pusfinalam|archive-date=23 May 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

| Final

| Kārlis Būmeisters

| {{cite web|url=http://www.kasjauns.lv/lv/zinas/82441/noskaties-kadas-dziesmas-piedalisies-eirovizijas-finala-video|title=Noskaties, kādas dziesmas piedalīsies Eirovīzijas finālā VIDEO|date=26 May 2012|publisher=Kasjauns.lv|language=lv|access-date=26 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529031139/http://www.kasjauns.lv/lv/zinas/82441/noskaties-kadas-dziesmas-piedalisies-eirovizijas-finala-video|archive-date=29 May 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| LRT

| {{N/A| }}

| All shows

| {{ill|Darius Užkuraitis|lt}}

|

|-

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

| MRT

| MRT 1

| All shows

| Karolina Petkovska

| {{cite web|title=Subota, 26. maj 2012.|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-05-26&kanal=mrt1|publisher=MRT1|access-date=23 April 2023|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-05-26&kanal=mrt1|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| PBS

| TVM

| All shows

| Elaine Saliba and Ronald Briffa

|

|-

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

| TRM

| Moldova 1

| All shows

| Marcel Spătari

|

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{flagu|Montenegro}}

| rowspan="3" | RTCG

| TVCG 1

| SF1/Final

| rowspan="3" | Dražen Bauković and Tamara Ivanković

| {{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-22&kanal=tvcg1|title=Utorak, 22. maj 2012.|trans-title=Tuesday, 22 May 2012|publisher=TVCG 1|access-date=2023-06-27|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175700/https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-22&kanal=tvcg1|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-26&kanal=tvcg1|title=Subota, 26. maj 2012.|trans-title=Saturday, 26 May 2012|publisher=TVCG 1|access-date=2023-06-27|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175700/https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-26&kanal=tvcg1|url-status=live}}

|-

| TVCG 2

| SF2

| {{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-24&kanal=tvcg2|title=Četvrtak, 24. maj 2012.|trans-title=Thursday, 24 May 2012|publisher=TVCG 2|access-date=2023-06-27|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175700/https://tvprofil.com/me/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-24&kanal=tvcg2|url-status=live}}

|-

| TVCG MNE

| All shows

|{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-22&kanal=tvcg-sat|title=Utorak, 22. maj 2012.|trans-title=Tuesday, 22 May 2012|publisher=TVCG MNE|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-22&kanal=tvcg-sat|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-24&kanal=tvcg-sat|title=Četvrtak, 24. maj 2012.|trans-title=Thursday, 24 May 2012|publisher=TVCG SAT|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-24&kanal=tvcg-sat|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-26&kanal=tvcg-sat|title=Subota, 26. maj 2012.|trans-title=Saturday, 26 May 2012|publisher=TVCG SAT|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-26&kanal=tvcg-sat|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| NPO

| Nederland 1

| All shows

| Jan Smit and Daniël Dekker

| {{cite web|url=http://www.metronieuws.nl/entertainment/jan-smit-heeft-altijd-slingers-op-zak/SrZkjB!sepM8Yv1nPVRU/|title=Jan Smit heeft altijd slingers op zak – Metro|last=Woning|first=Merike|date=28 October 2011|work=metronieuws.nl|access-date=14 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108095412/http://www.metronieuws.nl/entertainment/jan-smit-heeft-altijd-slingers-op-zak/SrZkjB!sepM8Yv1nPVRU/|archive-date=8 November 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovisionartists.nl/index.htm?content/esf480.asp|title=Welkom op de site van Eurovision Artists|work=Eurovisionartists.nl|access-date=17 April 2012|date=17 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808202542/http://www.eurovisionartists.nl/index.htm?content%2Fesf480.asp|archive-date=8 August 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| NRK

| NRK1

| All shows

| Olav Viksmo-Slettan

| {{cite web |url=http://tv.nrk.no/program/muhu14006312/eurovision-song-contest-2012-finale |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2012 – finale |work=NRK |language=no |date=15 May 2012 |access-date=15 May 2012 |archive-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714232459/http://tv.nrk.no/serie/melodi-grand-prix-tv/muhu14006312/26-05-2012 |url-status=live }}

|-

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

| RTP

| RTP1

| All shows

| {{ill|Pedro Granger|pt}}

| {{cite web|url=http://programas.rtp.pt/programa/tv/p28609|title=57.º Festival Eurovisão da Canção 2012|work=rtp.pt|date=17 May 2012|access-date=17 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515140249/http://programas.rtp.pt/programa/tv/p28609|archive-date=15 May 2013|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| TVR

| TVR 1

| All shows

| Leonard Miron and Gianina Corondan

| {{cite web |url=http://port.ro/pls/w/tv.channel?i_ch=10001&i_date=2012-05-22&i_where=1 |title=Romanian television schedule |work=PORT.ro |language=ro |date=20 May 2012 |access-date=20 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521175424/http://port.ro/pls/w/tv.channel?i_ch=10001&i_date=2012-05-22&i_where=1 |archive-date=21 May 2012}}

|-

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

| RTR

| Russia-1

| All shows

| {{ill|Olga Shelest|ru|Шелест, Ольга Владимировна}} and Dmitry Guberniev

| {{cite web |url=http://russia.tv/brand/show/brand_id/13925 |title=Евровидение-2012 |publisher=Russia.tv |access-date=25 May 2012 |date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526074902/http://russia.tv/brand/show/brand_id/13925 |archive-date=26 May 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|San Marino}}

| SMRTV

| SMtv San Marino

| All shows

| Lia Fiorio and Gigi Restivo

| {{cite web |title=Ecco il video ufficiale de "L'amore è femmina". E San Marino... |language=it |work=eurofestival.ws |date=7 May 2012 |url=http://www.eurofestival.ws/2012/05/07/ecco-il-video-ufficiale-de-lamore-e-femmina-e-san-marino/ |access-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825102405/http://www.eurofestival.ws/2012/05/07/ecco-il-video-ufficiale-de-lamore-e-femmina-e-san-marino/ |archive-date=25 August 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

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

| rowspan="2" | RTS

| rowspan="2" | RTS1, RTS Sat

| SF1

| Dragan Ilić

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web |url=http://www.rts.rs/page/tv/sr/story/20/RTS+1/1105042/Pesma+Evrovizije+2012.html |title=Pesma Evrovizije 2012 |work=RTS |language=sr |date=19 May 2012 |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521040930/http://www.rts.rs/page/tv/sr/story/20/RTS+1/1105042/Pesma+Evrovizije+2012.html |archive-date=21 May 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-22&kanal=rts-sat|title=Utorak, 22. maj 2012.|trans-title=Tuesday, 22 May 2012|publisher=RTS Sat|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-22&kanal=rts-sat|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-24&kanal=rts-sat|title=Četvrtak, 24. maj 2012.|trans-title=Thursday, 24 May 2012|publisher=RTS Sat|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-24&kanal=rts-sat|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-26&kanal=rts-sat|title=Subota, 26. maj 2012.|trans-title=Saturday, 26 May 2012|publisher=RTS Sat|access-date=2023-06-20|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104145148/https://tvprofil.com/ba/tvprogram/#!datum=2012-5-26&kanal=rts-sat|url-status=live}}

|-

| SF2/Final

| Duška Vučinić-Lučić

|-

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

| rowspan="2" | RTVS

| Jednotka, Rádio Slovensko

| All shows

| Roman Bomboš

|

|-

| Rádio FM

| Final

| {{ill|Daniel Baláž|sk}} and Pavol Hubinák

| {{cite web|url=http://www.rtvs.sk/clanok/778|title=Eurovízia s Balážom a Hubinákom - vyberajte najlepší komentár!|publisher=RTVS|date=29 May 2012|access-date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516015252/https://www.rtvs.sk/clanok/778|archive-date=16 May 2018|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| rowspan="2" | RTVSLO

| {{ill|TV SLO 2|sl}}

| Semi-finals

| rowspan="2" | {{ill|Andrej Hofer|sl|Andrej Hofer (televizijski voditelj)}}

| {{cite web|title=Pesem Evrovizije 2012: Predizbor, prenos iz Bakuja|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/show/1902456/pesem-evrovizije-2012-predizbor-prenos-iz-bakuja|publisher=SLO2|access-date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423211522/https://tvprofil.com/ba/show/1902456/pesem-evrovizije-2012-predizbor-prenos-iz-bakuja|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Pesem Evrovizije 2012: Predizbor, prenos iz Bakuja|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/show/1902458/pesem-evrovizije-2012-predizbor-prenos-iz-bakuja|publisher=SLO2|access-date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423211523/https://tvprofil.com/ba/show/1902458/pesem-evrovizije-2012-predizbor-prenos-iz-bakuja|url-status=live}}

|-

| {{ill|TV SLO 1|sl}}

| Final

| {{cite web|title=Pesem Evrovizije 2012, prenos iz Bakuja|url=https://tvprofil.com/ba/show/1902444/pesem-evrovizije-2012-prenos-iz-bakuja|publisher=SLO1|access-date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423211526/https://tvprofil.com/ba/show/1902444/pesem-evrovizije-2012-prenos-iz-bakuja|url-status=live}}

|-

|-

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

| rowspan="2" | RTVE

| {{lang|es|La 2|i=unset}}

| SF1

| rowspan="2" | José María Íñigo

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/television/20120430/jose-maria-inigo-repite-como-comentarista-tve-festival-eurovision/520428.shtml|title=José María Íñigo repite como comentarista de TVE en el Festival de Eurovisión|work=RTVE|language=es|date=30 April 2012|access-date=30 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430231940/http://www.rtve.es/television/20120430/jose-maria-inigo-repite-como-comentarista-tve-festival-eurovision/520428.shtml|archive-date=30 April 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

| {{lang|es|La 1|i=unset}}

| Final

|-

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

| SVT

| SVT1

| rowspan="2" | All shows

| Gina Dirawi and Edward af Sillén

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web|url=http://svt.se/melodifestivalen/gina-dirawi-och-edward-af-sillen-kommenterar-eurovision-song-contest|title=Gina Dirawi och Edward af Sillén kommenterar Eurovision Song Contest|work=Sveriges Television|language=sv|date=17 April 2012|access-date=17 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427005318/http://svt.se/melodifestivalen/gina-dirawi-och-edward-af-sillen-kommenterar-eurovision-song-contest|archive-date=27 April 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

| SR

| SR P3

| Carolina Norén and Björn Kjellman

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="4" | {{Flagu|Switzerland}}

| rowspan="4" | SRG SSR

| {{lang|de|SF zwei|i=unset}}

| rowspan="2" | SF1/Final

| Sven Epiney

| {{cite web |url=http://www.tvprogramm.sf.tv/details/459a239c-27b7-4b19-9074-2430a2c99a4b |title=TV-Programm 26. Mai 2012 |work=Schweizer Fernsehen |language=de |date=10 May 2012 |access-date=10 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528132500/http://www.tvprogramm.sf.tv/details/459a239c-27b7-4b19-9074-2430a2c99a4b |archive-date=28 May 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

| {{lang|fr|RTS Deux|i=unset}}

| Jean-Marc Richard and Nicolas Tanner

| {{cite web |url=http://www.rts.ch/programmes/#date=2012-5-22&period=3 |title=mardi 22 mai à 21:00 sur RTS Deux Eurosong 2012 22. Mai 2012 |work=Télévision Suisse Romande |language=fr |date=18 May 2012 |access-date=18 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513154315/http://www.rts.ch/programmes/#date=2012-5-22&period=3 |archive-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

| {{lang|it|RSI La 2|i=unset}}

| SF1

| rowspan="2" | {{ill|Clarissa Tami|it}} and Paolo Meneguzzi

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web |url=http://la2.rsi.ch/home/networks/la2/palinsesto.2012-05-22.html |title=martedì 22 maggio 2012, 21:00 sur RSI La 2 Eurosong 2012 |work=Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana |language=it |date=19 May 2012 |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523225854/http://la2.rsi.ch/home/networks/la2/palinsesto.2012-05-22.html |archive-date=23 May 2012 |url-status=live}}

|-

| {{lang|it|RSI La 1|i=unset}}

| Final

|-

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

| TRT

| TRT 1, TRT HD, {{lang|tr|TRT Türk|i=unset}}, {{lang|tr|TRT Müzik|i=unset}}, {{lang|tr|TRT Avaz|i=unset}}

| All shows

| Bülend Özveren and {{ill|Erhan Konuk|tr}}

| {{cite web|url=http://www.posta.com.tr/magazin/tele-magazin/YazarHaberDetay/O_sette_ne_oldu_.htm?ArticleID=117371|title=Özveren'in veliahtı kim?|work=posta.com.tr|language=tr|date=15 April 2012|access-date=1 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429140301/http://www.posta.com.tr/magazin/tele-magazin/YazarHaberDetay/O_sette_ne_oldu_.htm?ArticleID=117371|archive-date=29 April 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

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

| NTU

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

| All shows

| Timur Miroshnychenko and Tetyana Terekhova

| {{cite web |url=http://1tv.com.ua/uk/eurovision/2012/song |title=Пісенне Євробачення 2012 – Перший Національний канал |publisher=1tv.com.ua |language=uk |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429200844/http://1tv.com.ua/uk/eurovision/2012/song |archive-date=29 April 2013 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|United Kingdom}}

| rowspan="3" | BBC

| BBC Three

| Semi-finals

| Scott Mills and Sara Cox

| {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00qrp03|title=BBC One – Eurovision Song Contest, 2012, Semi Final 1|work=BBC|access-date=13 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525104106/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00qrp03|archive-date=25 May 2012|url-status=live}}

|-

| BBC One

| rowspan="2" | Final

| Graham Norton

| {{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision/about/ |title=BBC – Eurovision Song Contest 2012 |work=BBC Online |access-date=27 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223111058/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision/about/ |archive-date=23 December 2011 |url-status=live}}

|-

| BBC Radio 2

| Ken Bruce

| {{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/eurovision/coverage.html |title=BBC – Media Centre – BBC Eurovision Song Contest Coverage 2012 |work=BBC Online |access-date=2 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725113242/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/eurovision/coverage.html |archive-date=25 July 2013 |url-status=live}}

|}

Azerbaijan's large investment in hosting the Eurovision contest was widely discussed in Western media as an attempt to "mitigate misgivings about its poor democracy and human rights record".{{cite web|last=Leonard|first=Peter|title=Azerbaijan hopes Eurovision Song Contest will distract from poor human rights record|url=http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/world/azerbaijan+hopes+eurovision+song+contest+will+distract+from+poor+human+rights+record/6442648852/story.html|publisher=Global Edmonton|access-date=15 July 2012|date=26 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206001415/http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/world/azerbaijan+hopes+eurovision+song+contest+will+distract+from+poor+human+rights+record/6442648852/story.html|archive-date=6 December 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Elder|first=Miriam|title=Eurovision does little help to human rights in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/25/eurovision-azerbaijan-human-rights|access-date=26 May 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024133930/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/25/eurovision-azerbaijan-human-rights|archive-date=24 October 2014|url-status=live}} Elnur Majidli, an activist imprisoned during the Arab Spring-inspired 2011 Azerbaijani protests, was released in an apparent effort to soften Azerbaijan's image ahead of the contest, but many political prisoners remained. Human Rights Watch reported a "violent crackdown on protesters" on the eve of the contest,{{cite news|last=Gogia|first=Giorgi|title=Eurovision: The view from the courtroom|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304707604577421853831244424?mod=googlenews_wsj|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=26 May 2012|date=23 May 2012|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731025718/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304707604577421853831244424?mod=googlenews_wsj|url-status=live}} and Amnesty International condemned the "stern crackdown of freedom of expression, dissent, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), critical journalists, in fact anyone who criticised the Aliyev regime too strongly" that continued up to the contest.

Human Rights Watch also criticised the Azerbaijani government and the Baku City Authority for carrying out forced evictions against local residents, in order to allow for the demolition of flats to make way for construction in the neighbourhood where the Baku Crystal Hall was built.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/02/29/azerbaijan-homeowners-evicted-city-beautification|title=Azerbaijan: Homeowners Evicted for City Beautification. Some Forced Out Ahead of Eurovision 2012|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=29 February 2012|access-date=6 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804013039/http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/02/29/azerbaijan-homeowners-evicted-city-beautification|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=live}} The Public Association for Assistance to Free Economy, a transparency and economic rights campaign group, had described the evictions as a "violation of human rights", and as having "no legal authority". However, in a statement to the BBC, the EBU said that on a recent visit to Baku they had observed "that the construction of the concert hall [which] media reports refer to was already well under way on a clean construction site and thus there are no demolitions needed".{{cite news|last=McGuinness|first=Damien|title=Evicted in Baku to make way for Eurovision|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16223311|access-date=17 May 2012|date=22 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519064446/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16223311|archive-date=19 May 2012|url-status=live}} The EBU cited the "apolitical" nature of the contest and the Azerbaijani government's claim that the construction was not tied to the contest.

The contest's eventual winner Loreen met local human rights activists during the event weeks, the only entrant to do so. She later told reporters, "Human rights are violated in Azerbaijan every day. One should not be silent about such things."{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/azerbaijan-eurovision-idUSL5E8GP85U20120525 |title=Swedish Eurovision star strays into Azeri rights row |author=Margarita Antidze |date=25 May 2012 |work=Reuters |access-date=26 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529082731/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/25/azerbaijan-eurovision-idUSL5E8GP85U20120525 |archive-date=29 May 2012 |url-status=live}} An Azerbaijan government spokesman criticized her in response, saying that the contest should not "be politicised" and requested the EBU prevented further meetings of a similar nature.{{cite web|title=Azerbaidzhan syyttaa ruotsin viisuedustajaa politikoinnista |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/azerbaidzhan_syyttaa_ruotsin_viisuedustajaa_politikoinnista/6109366 |publisher=YLE |access-date=15 July 2012 |language=fi |date=24 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527034208/http://yle.fi/uutiset/azerbaidzhan_syyttaa_ruotsin_viisuedustajaa_politikoinnista/6109366 |archive-date=27 May 2012}} Swedish diplomats replied that the EBU, the Swedish broadcaster SVT and Loreen had not acted against the competition's rules.{{cite news|title=Loreen mitt i diplomatiskt drama|url=https://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/musik/loreen-mitt-i-diplomatiskt-drama/|newspaper=Dagens Nyheter|access-date=15 July 2012|language=sv|date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728002138/http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/musik/loreen-mitt-i-diplomatiskt-drama|archive-date=28 July 2012|url-status=live}}

On 26 May, a flash mob of anti-government protesters were quickly dispersed by police. Activists expressed fears that they would face a crackdown when the international spotlight left Azerbaijan again at the end of the contest. Before presenting the results of the German vote, the German spokesperson Anke Engelke gave a live statement that alluded to the human rights issues in Azerbaijan, saying: "Tonight nobody could vote for their own country. But it is good to be able to vote. And it is good to have a choice. Good luck on your journey, Azerbaijan. Europe is watching you."{{cite magazine|title=Umstrittener Eurovision Song Contest. Danke, Anke!|url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/esc-in-baku-anke-engelke-kommentiert-unfreiheit-in-aserbaidschan-a-835464.html|magazine=Der Spiegel|access-date=15 July 2012|language=de|date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808154311/http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/esc-in-baku-anke-engelke-kommentiert-unfreiheit-in-aserbaidschan-a-835464.html|archive-date=8 August 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Anke's brave message to Baku - Final Eurovision 2012|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0iJTdfcLNo|via=YouTube|access-date=15 July 2012|date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414143524/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0iJTdfcLNo|archive-date=14 April 2014|url-status=live}}

Iranian officials objected to Azerbaijan hosting the contest, with Iranian clerics Ayatollah Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari and Ayatollah Ja'far Sobhani condemning Azerbaijan for "anti-Islamic behaviour", while also claiming that Azerbaijan was hosting a gay parade.{{cite news|last=Antidze|first=Margarita|title=Iran's "gay" Eurovision jibes strain Azerbaijan ties|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/azerbaijan-iran-idUKL5E8GM61H20120522|work=Reuters|access-date=15 July 2012|date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531030345/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/22/azerbaijan-iran-idUKL5E8GM61H20120522|archive-date=31 May 2012|url-status=dead}} This led to protests in front of Iranian embassy in Baku, where protesters carried slogans mocking the Iranian leaders. Ali Hasanov, head of the public and political issues department in Azerbaijani president's administration, said that gay parade claims were untrue, and advised Iran not to meddle in Azerbaijan's internal affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65433|publisher=EurasiaNet.org|title=Azerbaijan: Pop Music vs. Islam|access-date=15 July 2012|date=21 May 2012|last=Lomsadze|first=Girgoi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711132530/http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65433|archive-date=11 July 2012|url-status=live}} In response, Iran recalled its ambassador from Baku,{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/22/215722.html|publisher=AFP|title=Iran recalls envoy to Azerbaijan ahead of Eurovision|access-date=15 July 2012|date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627033032/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/22/215722.html|archive-date=27 June 2012|url-status=live}} while Azerbaijan demanded a formal apology from Iran for its statements in connection with Baku's hosting of the contest,{{cite web|url=http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/05/24/azerbaijan-demands-apology-from-iran-over-eurovision/|publisher=Voice of America|title=Azerbaijan Demands Apology From Iran Over Eurovision|access-date=15 July 2012|date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626192840/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/05/24/azerbaijan-demands-apology-from-iran-over-eurovision/|archive-date=26 June 2012|url-status=dead}} and later also recalled its ambassador from Iran.{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-iran-recall-ambassador/24597902.html|title=Azerbaijan Recalls Ambassador To Iran|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|access-date=15 July 2012|date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724225521/http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-iran-recall-ambassador/24597902.html|archive-date=24 July 2012|url-status=live}}

On 30 May, the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan announced that they had thwarted a series of planned terror attacks against the contest, among the targets being Baku Crystal Hall, as well as Marriott and Hilton hotels in Baku.{{cite web|last=Mammadov|first=Elman|title=Eurovision 'terror plot' thwarted: Azerbaijan|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g0BB2S9CKtuayJhgOEMhdkzTRTKw?docId=CNG.60490b622cc956adb6a886ff4c892ab7.801|work=American Free Press|access-date=15 July 2012|date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706194836/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g0BB2S9CKtuayJhgOEMhdkzTRTKw?docId=CNG.60490b622cc956adb6a886ff4c892ab7.801|archive-date=6 July 2013|url-status=dead}} On 22 August, The Daily Telegraph reported that according to Western intelligence services, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei personally gave orders to the elite Quds Force unit to launch terrorist attacks against the West and its allies, including Azerbaijan during the contest.

{{cite news|last=Coughlin|first=Con|title=Iran's supreme leader orders fresh terror attacks on West|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9490878/Irans-supreme-leader-orders-fresh-terror-attacks-on-West.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=22 August 2012|date=23 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822125839/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9490878/Irans-supreme-leader-orders-fresh-terror-attacks-on-West.html|archive-date=22 August 2012|url-status=live}}

In addition to the main winner's trophy, the Marcel Bezençon Awards and the Barbara Dex Award were contested during the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. The OGAE, "General Organisation of Eurovision Fans" voting poll also took place before the contest.

The Marcel Bezençon Awards, organised since 2002 by Sweden's then-Head of Delegation and 1992 representative Christer Björkman, and 1984 winner Richard Herrey, honours songs in the contest's final.{{cite web|title=Marcel Bezençon Award - an introduction |url=http://poplight.zitiz.se/marcelbezenconaward/en |publisher=Poplight.se |access-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017033001/http://poplight.zitiz.se/marcelbezenconaward/en |archive-date=17 October 2013}} The awards are divided into three categories: Artistic Award, Composers Award, and Press Award.{{cite web |title=Marcel Bezençon Awards–Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards/ |website=eurovision.tv |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716092347/https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards/ |url-status=live }}

OGAE, an organisation of over forty Eurovision Song Contest fan clubs across Europe and beyond, conducts an annual voting poll first held in 2002 as the Marcel Bezençon Fan Award. After all votes were cast, the top-ranked entry in the 2012 poll was also the winner of the contest, "Euphoria" performed by Loreen; the top five results are shown below.{{cite web|title=Eurovision Fanclub Network|url=http://www.ogae.net/|publisher=OGAE|access-date=15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419213155/http://www.ogae.net/|archive-date=19 April 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Club History|url=http://www.euroviisuklubi.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=8&Itemid=41|publisher=OGAE Finland|access-date=17 June 2012|date=5 June 2012|language=fi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127121744/http://www.euroviisuklubi.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=8&Itemid=41|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hondal|first=Victor|title=OGAE 2012 poll: Sweden wins by a landslide|url=http://www.esctoday.com/?p=36311|publisher=ESCToday.com|access-date=15 July 2012|date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619124823/http://www.esctoday.com/?p=36311|archive-date=19 June 2012|url-status=live}}

The Barbara Dex Award is a humorous fan award given to the worst dressed artist each year. Named after Belgium's representative who came last in the 1993 contest, wearing her self-designed dress, the award was handed by the fansite House of Eurovision from 1997 to 2016 and is being carried out by the fansite songfestival.be since 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovisionhouse.nl/bdaward.php |title=Barbara Dex Award |work=eurovisionhouse.nl |date=2012 |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826110418/http://www.eurovisionhouse.nl/bdaward.php |archive-date=26 August 2014 }}{{cite web|last1=Roxburgh|first1=Gordon|title=Rona Nishliu wins the Barbara Dex Award|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=rona_nishliu_wins_the_barbara_dex_award|website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=3 June 2012|date=8 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605011201/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=rona_nishliu_wins_the_barbara_dex_award|archive-date=5 June 2012|url-status=live}}

File:ESC 2012 album cover.jpg

Eurovision Song Contest: Baku 2012 was a compilation album put together by the European Broadcasting Union, and released by Universal Music Group on 4 May 2012. The album featured all 42 songs that entered in the 2012 contest, including the semi-finalists that failed to qualify into the grand final.{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest - Baku 2012|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/eurovision-song-contest-baku/id523090300|website=iTunes|publisher=iTunes|access-date=4 November 2014|date=1 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224095914/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/eurovision-song-contest-baku/id523090300|archive-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead}}

• ABU Radio Song Festival 2012
• ABU TV Song Festival 2012
• Eurovision Young Musicians 2012
• Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2012

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Eurovision Song Contest 2012}}

• {{Official website|http://www.eurovision.tv/}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2012}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits}}

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2012

Category:2012 in Azerbaijan

Category:Music in Baku

Category:2010s in Baku

Category:2012 song contests

Category:May 2012 in Asia

Category:Events in Baku

Category:May 2012 in Europe