Editing Eurovision Song Contest (section)

=== Running order ===
Since {{Escyr|2013}}, the order in which the competing countries perform has been determined by the contest's producers, and submitted to the executive supervisor and reference group for approval before public announcement. This was changed from a random draw used in previous years in order to provide a better experience for television viewers and ensure all entries stand out by avoiding instances where songs of a similar style or tempo are performed in sequence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2012 |title=Running order Malmö 2013 to be determined by producers |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-malmoe-2013-to-be-determined-by-producers |access-date=9 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

Since the creation of a second semi-final in 2008, a semi-final allocation draw is held each year.<ref name="Semi-Final Allocation" /> Countries are placed into pots based on their geographical location and voting history in recent contests, and are assigned to compete in one of the two semi-finals through a random draw.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2008 |title=All you need to know for Monday's draw! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/all-you-need-to-know-for-monday-s-draw |access-date=21 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Countries are then randomly assigned to compete in either the first or second half of their respective semi-final, and once all competing songs have been selected the producers then determine the running order for the semi-finals.<ref name="allocation 2018">{{Cite web |last1=Zwart |first1=Josianne |last2=Jordan |first2=Paul |date=29 January 2018 |title=Which countries will perform in which Semi-Final at Eurovision 2018? |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/results-of-the-semi-final-allocation-draw-2018 |access-date=9 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref name="2013 semi order">{{Cite web |date=28 March 2013 |title=Eurovision 2013: Semi-Final running order revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2013-semi-final-running-order-revealed |access-date=9 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> The automatic qualifiers are assigned at random to a semi-final for the purposes of voting rights.<ref name="Semi-Final Allocation" />

Semi-final qualifiers make a draw at random during the qualifiers' press conference to determine whether they will perform during the first, second half, or a producer-determined position in the final, while the automatic finalists randomly draw their competing half or  producer-determined position in the run-up to the final, except for the host country, whose exact performance position is determined in a separate draw.<ref name="2013 semi order" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Groot |first=Evert |date=6 May 2018 |title=Portugal and 'Big Five' rehearse for the second time |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/portugal-france-spain-italy-united-kingdom-second-rehearsal-2018 |access-date=9 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-16 |title=Malmö 2024: Producers to get more "choice" in deciding Grand Final running order |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/malmo-2024-producers-choice-running-order |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en}}</ref> The running order for the final is then decided following the second semi-final by the producers. The running orders are decided with the competing songs' musical qualities, stage performance, prop, and lighting set-up, and other production considerations taken into account.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2017 |title=How is the Running Order being decided? |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/exclusive-running-order-producers-decide-2017 |access-date=9 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>