EUROVISION'S biggest fans already either have their bags packed or their antennae fine-tuned ahead of the annual extravaganza of cheesy pop.
But, whether they admit it or not, plenty of others will also be sneaking a peek at some point during the live final this weekend.
According to research carried out by TV Licensing, the kitsch-fest that is Eurovision unites a curious band of different `tribes', some of whom have very different reasons for watching.
Around a fifth of viewers are described `superfans', those who have already watched all the heats and will be reading the subtitled translations to fully appreciate the international musical contest.
A similar number can be categorised as 'patriots', who will always cheer loudly at their country's entry even if they reckon the chances of victory are slim.
There are also the sceptics, who take a keen interest in the voting to prove their theory that everything is based on politics, and the 'party people' who see Eurovision as a chance to get together with food, wine and friends.
However, the survey also unmasked almost a third of the audience who plan to watch in secret, the 'deniers' keeping their viewing a guilty pleasure that they won't even be telling their friends about.
"The different ways people engage with Eurovision are as diverse as the acts themselves," said Mark Sterling, spokesman for TV Licensing Northern Ireland.
Among the superfans in Northern Ireland is 39-year-old Shay Toman who already has his bags packed for a flight to Austria where he will be among the studio audience.
It is his third Eurovision holiday, having watched in dismay as last year's winner Conchita Wurst took the title in Copenhagen.
"Last year I really went for it and was there for two weeks," he said.
"I was disappointed when Conchita Wurst won because I felt it was a bit gimmicky. The Netherlands song should have won."
Last night he watched the first semi-final at his Craigavon home, before flying to Austria to take his seat for the second semi-final, the jury final and ultimately the grand final.
"Sunday will be my day of rest," Mr Toman, who is backing Italy's pop opera entry this year, said.
The first final he attended was in 1998 in Birmingham when Dana International won.
He has had a themed viewing party every year until the purchase of "a couple of extra franchises" to add to his Subway chain allowed him to fund the trips.
Mr Toman is downbeat about Ireland's entry Molly Sterling's chances of taking the title - if she can first get through her semi-final tomorrow night.
"She is going to be a fantastic talent, but she needs a bit more experience."
Meanwhile, in Jordanstown, Co Antrim Bobby Blair is holding his seventh Eurovision party.
"They've been getting bigger every year. I get in all the flags from the countries and all the different food and drink.
"We all pick names out of a hat and every time your country gets 12 points you take a drink. One year Sweden got 16 sets of `12's and the girl who got them was in a bit of a state.
"We don't do heavy drinks and the cups are very small."
The 27-year-old straddles a few categories in the viewer profiles as not only is he a superfan, but his `Union Jack' themed party sees him qualify in the `patriot' profile and `party people'.
* The first Eurovision Song Contest 2015 semi-final took place last night, with the second - featuring Ireland - screened on BBC Three on RTE Two tomorrow. The grand final is on Saturday.
