Eurovision 2023 - BBC

[bananaman]

I think any of the arenas that the BBC have put Sports Personality of the Year in in the last ten years could be feasible (obviously Eurovision would be a big step up but I can't think of any other BBC show in that sort of big venue). That could include Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham Leeds, Belfast or Glasgow.

[SteveRW]

The thing about Sweden is that if they step in after just announcing their intention to join NATO, that could ruffle Russian feathers and make security a big issue. Joining NATO and helping out Ukraine could also potentially put Finland at risk.

[Brekkie]

I think any of the arenas that the BBC have put Sports Personality of the Year in in the last ten years could be feasible (obviously Eurovision would be a big step up but I can't think of any other BBC show in that sort of big venue). That could include Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham Leeds, Belfast or Glasgow.

We're spoiled for choice for arenas really whilst when this time last year we were looking at potential Italian venues Torino seemed to be the only choice for them.

As for Ukraine I feel like Lyiv would be the only option even considered in current circumstances and they just don't have the venue.

[telebox2001]

Sweden I get because of their experience, SVT can just get on with it; but yeah I didn't think of that security issue.

Whereas the UK already is in NATO and has a track record for helping Ukraine out.

[SteveRW]

Sweden I get because of their experience, SVT can just get on with it; but yeah I didn't think of that security issue.

Whereas the UK already is in NATO and has a track record for helping Ukraine out.

Indeed, and the UK doesn't have to worry about its neighbour being invaded out of retaliation.

[Newshound47]

If Sweden becomes too unsafe to host it then the world will be a very scary place.

[Roger Darthwell]

I think we are all getting a bit out of hand with WW3 predictions

[SteveRW]

According to Wiwiblogs, the rules are that the country that wins is offered first refusal to host. If they decline then the runner up is then asked. Then if they refuse the next country is asked. If they refuse it is opened up to bidding.

Being a member of the Big 5, I'm not sure the BBC would refuse.

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If Sweden becomes too unsafe to host it then the world will be a very scary place.

Russia invading Finland in a retaliatory way following its application to join NATO is a real possibility. If their neighbour also joins NATO because of the threat Russia poses and then antagonises Russia further by helping Ukraine, it certainly could cause very serious tensions. No one mentioned WWIII.

[telebox2001]

If the BBC co-pro with Suspline, surely there'll be a very large amount of Swedish assistance anyway. I think the EBU may well want the Swedes back after some questionable production decisions and awful camerawork from the Italians.

[gottago]

According to Wiwiblogs, the rules are that the country that wins is offered first refusal to host. If they decline then the runner up is then asked. Then if they refuse the next country is asked. If they refuse it is opened up to bidding.

Being a member of the Big 5, I'm not sure the BBC would refuse.

This time is a bit different though as judging from the EBU's statement on the night they do intend to work with the Ukrainian broadcaster on it:

Now we will begin planning for 2023 with winning broadcaster UA: PBC. 

Obviously, there are unique challenges involved in hosting next year’s competition. 

However, as in any other year, we look forward to discussing all the requirements and responsibilities involved in hosting the competition with UA: PBC and all other stakeholders to ensure we have the most suitable setup for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.”

Which could well mean co-hosting it with someone else, and that doesn't necessarily have to be the runner up.

I wouldn't rule out Poland, obviously the two countries are very closely tied and they have by far the most Ukrainian refugees living there now. They very successfully hosted a large scale JESC in 2019 (and a small Covid one in 2020), arguably giving them more experience at this than the BBC's entertainment team currently have. There has been a suggestion from TVP that they might be up for it though it would depend on finance from the Polish government: https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/15/%F0%9F%8...sion-2023/

[Jon]

I think the likelihood is that Eurovision 2023 will take place in the United Kingdom, on balance. The flag in the Eurovision heart will probably be the UK and Ukrainian flags split 50:50. Graham Norton could host with a couple of Ukrainian presenters and a couple Ukrainian themed interval acts could be included.

[SteveRW]

If the BBC co-pro with Suspline, surely there'll be a very large amount of Swedish assistance anyway.  I think the EBU may well want the Swedes back after some questionable production decisions and awful camerawork from the Italians.

The UK are perfectly capable of hosting a Song Contest. It has hosted the contest more times than any other nation.
It's all academic anyway. There will be decisions made by the EBU in due course and I would think the UK coming second and winning the jury vote would likely be taken into consideration. 

I would think the obvious place to host would be on the Ukraine/Poland border. Just inside Poland would be perfectly acceptable.

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According to Wiwiblogs, the rules are that the country that wins is offered first refusal to host. If they decline then the runner up is then asked. Then if they refuse the next country is asked. If they refuse it is opened up to bidding.

Being a member of the Big 5, I'm not sure the BBC would refuse.

This time is a bit different though as judging from the EBU's statement on the night they do intend to work with the Ukrainian broadcaster on it:

Now we will begin planning for 2023 with winning broadcaster UA: PBC. 

Obviously, there are unique challenges involved in hosting next year’s competition. 

However, as in any other year, we look forward to discussing all the requirements and responsibilities involved in hosting the competition with UA: PBC and all other stakeholders to ensure we have the most suitable setup for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.”

Which could well mean co-hosting it with someone else, and that doesn't necessarily have to be the runner up.

I wouldn't rule out Poland, obviously the two countries are very closely tied and they have by far the most Ukrainian refugees living there now. They very successfully hosted a large scale JESC in 2019 (and a small Covid one in 2020), arguably giving them more experience at this than the BBC's entertainment team currently have. There has been a suggestion from TVP that they might be up for it though it would depend on finance from the Polish government: https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/15/%F0%9F%8...sion-2023/

Polish/Ukrainian coverage would be ideal. it would give Ukraine the chance to have as near a home contest as feasibly possible.

The drawback though is the uncertainty around funding. The Polish government might promise X amount but that could leave problems if it went over budget.

[Jon]

I think the UK government would want to be seen to do the right and be more keen than having it here than even if the UK had won. The BBC I think probably would quite like the idea of hosting and it’s a way for them to show value to the government. I would imagine some discussions are probably going on behind the scenes.

We came second so it’s the solution that will look most fair, in the eyes of the world. And the relationship with Ukraine authorities is probably as good as any other nation at the moment.

The UK is probably still one of the most important markets for Eurovision and it would benefit the EBU to stage it here.

In many ways, it’s a the only chance for it to be in a place of the EBUs choosing, so I think now will be the time it comes to the UK.

And if it’s still officially Ukraine’s event, it allows a contest in London, as there would be less pressure on the BBC to have it outside of the capital, although that may mean it’s more expensive. London would probably be one of the better places for them to get a high proportion of Ukrainians at least in terms of the UK.

[Brekkie]

According to Wiwiblogs, the rules are that the country that wins is offered first refusal to host. If they decline then the runner up is then asked. Then if they refuse the next country is asked. If they refuse it is opened up to bidding.

Being a member of the Big 5, I'm not sure the BBC would refuse.

This time is a bit different though as judging from the EBU's statement on the night they do intend to work with the Ukrainian broadcaster on it:

Frankly though Ukrainian broadcasters have bigger things to be doing than being tied up in talks with the EBU.  That will just be the standard EBU reaction and the discussion will likely be they can't do it.    The EBU and Eurovision are then usually a stickler for the rules and hence I doubt they'll circumvent the usual process - opens them up to accusations of snubbing the UK if they did that.

I think the likelihood is that Eurovision 2023 will take place in the United Kingdom, on balance. The flag in the Eurovision heart will probably be the UK and Ukrainian flags split 50:50. Graham Norton could host with a couple of Ukrainian presenters and a couple Ukrainian themed interval acts could be included.

One Ukrainian presenter alongside two UK hosts would be the right balance and a hint in the colour scheme to the Ukrainian win, but ultimately it needs to be Eurovision.

Regardless of who the other hosts are though I wouldn't have Graham as a main host.  I didn't think it worked with Terry in 1998 and it's better to keep the commentary role separate.   Indeed compared to 1998 I don't think it would be practical now with the three live shows and three jury shows.

[Jon]

On Graham, I’m not sure he would want to do it as he’s seems to be winding his career down a bit. I think you’d have to have Graham concentrating on presenting the main show rather than doing commentary. But he was still able to bring the same kind of humour to the results process when he was doing the Eurovision Dance Contests.

You could have someone like Rylan doing commentary, but it arguably wouldn’t need to be as full on as usual.