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UMK voting is getting an update! Check out the running order

This season, UMK's public voting is changing, allowing the audience to vote for their favorite as soon as the first UMK25 performance begins.

Muokattu kuva, jossa kädet pitelevät puhelinta. Puhelimen näytöllä näkyy UMK-kilpailun "Äänestä tästä suosikkibiisiäsi" -näkymä. Kuva on yhdistelmä kahdesta eri kuvasta.
The goal is to give even more Finns the opportunity to influence the selection of UMK's winner and Finland's next Eurovision representative. Image: Kuva: Adobe Stock, muokkaus: Miia Anttila / Yle
  • Jaakko Oleander-Turja
  • Juhani Lassila

Finland's biggest music show, Yle’s contest for new music (UMK), will culminate on Saturday, February 8th, with the UMK25 show at Nokia Arena.

This year’s UMK show introduces a significant change: the Finnish public can start voting right at the beginning of the broadcast. Previously, voting only opened after each contestant’s performance.

The goal of this voting update is to give even more music fans the opportunity to influence the selection of UMK's winner and Finland's next Eurovision representative. The update also aims to ensure the smooth functioning of UMK voting in the Yle app.

– By extending the voting period, we want to give voters more time to support their favorite. At the same time, we hope to achieve the highest-ever vote count in UMK history this year, UMK's Executive Producer Anssi Autio explains.

Uuuden Musiikin Kilpailun tuottaja Anssi Autio UMK-seinän edessä.
UMK's Executive Producer Anssi Autio hopes that this year will set a new voting record for UMK. Image: Raine Laaksonen / YleX

The voting proceeds will be directed to mental health work for children and young people

The winner of UMK will be determined by public votes (75% weight) and an international professional jury (25%). With the voting time extension introduced in last year’s Eurovision, even more Finns now have the opportunity to influence how their favorite performs in the competition.

– It’s the Finnish voters, above all, who decide the winner and Finland’s next Eurovision representative, says Autio.

Six people posing on a large purple cloth that hangs from the ceiling and covers the floor.
Finns will get to choose their Eurovision representative from six different artists. Top row, from left to right: Erika Vikman, Viivi, Neea River. Bottom row: Nelli Matula, Goldielocks and Costee. Image: Nelli Kenttä & Miska Voinoff / Yle

The proceeds from UMK's paid voting will be donated to Mieli ry.

The funds will be used to strengthen youth mental health in schools, recreational activities and online.

The winner of the New Music Competition will be chosen on February 8, 2025, at the UMK25 event at Nokia Arena in Tampere.

You can watch the live broadcast of UMK in English on Yle Areena.

The winner will be determined by combining the audience votes and the points awarded by the international jury: the audience votes carry a weight of 75%, while the jury's weight is 25%.

Stay updated on UMK news at yle.fi/umk.