With 3 million people following the first heat, Melodifestivalen (the swedish national selection for the Eurovision song contest) continues to be one the most watched tv programmes of the year in Sweden. On the other side, the number of registered televotes was a record low.
A total number of 3 015 000 viewers watched the first heat of Melodifestivalen 2011 which was sent from the city of Luleå. This follows the trend of the last years with around 3 million viewers watching the first heat.
The number of votes however are the lowest registered since the introduction the semi-finals. A total of 320 608 votes were counted, compared to 446 411 votes for the first heat in 2010 and the record high 721 334 votes in 2009.
The viewing figures of heat 1, 2002-2011
2002 2 655 000 viewers
2003 2 975 000 viewers
2004 3 295 000 viewers
2005 3 170 000 viewers
2006 3 045 000 viewers
2007 2 990 000 viewers
2008 3 240 000 viewers
2009 3 295 000 viewers
2010 2 975 000 viewers
2011 3 015 000 viewers
