Eurovision 2023 - BBC

[SteveRW]

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.

Whatever happened to the Eurovision Dance Contests? They started and stopped quicker than the UK's lead in this years song contest!

[TIGHazard]

Of course, the Ukrainian broadcaster wants to host it in Ukraine, however several broadcasters have confirmed they would support if asked. The BBC is not listed here.

https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/16/eurovisi...l-ukraine/

A number of broadcasters have spoken since Ukraine’s victory of their willingness to support or host the 2023 contest in the event Ukraine is unable to do so.

The city of Stockholm has stated its willingness to host, with SVT yet to comment on the matter. While Icelandic media has also reported that RÚV views the potential to host the 2023 contest positively. Spanish broadcaster RTVE also confirmed that they would be willing to host the contest if needed. TVP of Poland has expressed a willingness to support Ukraine in hosting, as has RAI the host broadcast of the 2022 contest.

[Newshound47]

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/

Poland’s biggest issue is there were one of the countries whose jury votes were thrown out. That would make the idea of the EBU wanting to work with their broadcaster unlikely

[Jon]

Of course, the Ukrainian broadcaster wants to host it in Ukraine, however several broadcasters have confirmed they would support if asked. The BBC is not listed here.

https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/16/eurovisi...l-ukraine/

A number of broadcasters have spoken since Ukraine’s victory of their willingness to support or host the 2023 contest in the event Ukraine is unable to do so.

The city of Stockholm has stated its willingness to host, with SVT yet to comment on the matter. While Icelandic media has also reported that RÚV views the potential to host the 2023 contest positively. Spanish broadcaster RTVE also confirmed that they would be willing to host the contest if needed. TVP of Poland has expressed a willingness to support Ukraine in hosting, as has RAI the host broadcast of the 2022 contest.

Just because the BBC hasn’t said anything publicly
doesn’t mean discussions aren’t taking place. The BBC might not want to host it, but if they’re likely to get pushed and supported by the government it changes things somewhat. And under the circumstances I believe the UK government would be very much backing the idea.

[RDJ]

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.

Terry Wogan managed to mix the two pretty perfectly back in 1998, having a commentary box located backstage. The only part where he mostly didn’t appear on screen was the voting.

Graham could easily mix the two this time around should we host it. He just won’t be part of the voting sequence nor the occasional breaks in between the songs.

Knowing the BBC, they would opt for a lot of pre-made VT’s rather than the warbling about gestures and singing that RAI got the presenters to do this year.

If anything, the next UK contest I would have liked it if they could represent all four nations of the UK and hold the contest in four different locations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Have some of the singers based at each location with its own presenter and have the main voting hub in England. Very ala Last Night of the Proms.
Would make for a pretty unique contest! But very likely will cost too much and be a logistical nightmare.

[Brekkie]

Back then though it was just the grand final, not the week of semi finals and jury shows. I suspect part of the reason Graham doesn't do the semi finals is so he can use them as prep for the final without having to do the day job at the same time.

As for links to the Home Nations - unlikely but a link to Ukraine could be a way to have them involved.

[SteveRW]

Of course, the Ukrainian broadcaster wants to host it in Ukraine, however several broadcasters have confirmed they would support if asked. The BBC is not listed here.

https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/16/eurovisi...l-ukraine/

A number of broadcasters have spoken since Ukraine’s victory of their willingness to support or host the 2023 contest in the event Ukraine is unable to do so.

The city of Stockholm has stated its willingness to host, with SVT yet to comment on the matter. While Icelandic media has also reported that RÚV views the potential to host the 2023 contest positively. Spanish broadcaster RTVE also confirmed that they would be willing to host the contest if needed. TVP of Poland has expressed a willingness to support Ukraine in hosting, as has RAI the host broadcast of the 2022 contest.

The Government said on Sunday (via Nadhim Zahawi) that the UK would love to host it. The BBC don't technically need to say anything yet as it's all academic. Currently it is assumed that Ukraine will host. The BBC have not said that they don't want to host either.

[telebox2001]

The BBC style is to be somewhat more discreet than others have been - kind of a vibe of letting the Ukranians have this moment before addressing the elephant in the room.

Yes I agree the heart would be a 50:50 split. However, I believe Graham would be on a wish list of one for the British host. The EBU will be very keen he does it to maximise reach - don't underestimate just how big a name he is via his chat show being broadcast on the continent.

[Brekkie]

How big is Doctor Who in Europe as David Tennant is the sort of non-presenter presenter the BBC would (and often do) go for.

[Jon]

How big is Doctor Who in Europe as David Tennant is the sort of non-presenter presenter the BBC would (and often do) go for.

Midsummer Murders is massive so could always try to go with Neil Dudgen or lure John Nettles out of retirement.

[SteveRW]

The BBC style is to be somewhat more discreet than others have been - kind of a vibe of letting the Ukranians have this moment before addressing the elephant in the room.

Yes I agree the heart would be a 50:50 split.  However, I believe Graham would be on a wish list of one for the British host.  The EBU will be very keen he does it to maximise reach - don't underestimate just how big a name he is via his chat show being broadcast on the continent.

Indeed.

They actually issued a statement relaying Ukraine their congratulations while discreetly expressing pride in Sam Ryder. As if reminding the world that the UK came second. You can read it within this report below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61457573

[Inspector Sands]

Back then though it was just the grand final, not the week of semi finals and jury shows.  I suspect part of the reason Graham doesn't do the semi finals is so he can use them as prep for the final without having to do the day job at the same time.

I always assumed it was because Scott Mills was cheaper. When Terry Wogan did the commentary the semi finals would have been an issue because of his radio show

[Medianext.MX]

And, not long before this year's edition is over, there begins the pre-selection for next year... AVROTROS has just launched this year's submission call. They want songs with "a contemporary, but in any case authentic sound. A song that is able to survive in a competition. By a Dutch artist who can and wants to present a personal song in a distinctive way, in any genre, and if possible a personal story". The submission ends August 31, and the competing song will be announced after the internal selection is over, through a committee led by Dutch Head of Delegation Lars Lourenco. This was also the case last year, and the rules are still the same: up to three songs, not longer than 3 minutes, not released commercially before September 1, and that convey the description above.

https://www.avrotros.nl/eurovisie-songfe...ding-2023/

[Steve in Pudsey]

If we're doing what ifs in terms of hosts, can I suggest as a slighty left-field option, Radio 1's Vick Hope? Not the most high profile choice, perhaps, but a music broadcaster with the benefit of being fluent in French, Spanish and Portugese (with a Languages degree from Cambridge)

[Jon]

Back then though it was just the grand final, not the week of semi finals and jury shows.  I suspect part of the reason Graham doesn't do the semi finals is so he can use them as prep for the final without having to do the day job at the same time.

I always assumed it was because Scott Mills was cheaper. When Terry Wogan did the commentary the semi finals would have been an issue because of his radio show

Did Wogan usually do his breakfast show from the host country, the week of the contest? Or was that only towards the end of the week? Ultimately the BBC has never really legitimised the semi-finals and clearly just see them as filler. And surely Wogan or Norton would have had to make a new set of quips for each act if they did both.