Eurovision 2023 - BBC

[telebox2001]

Suspline's resources are a bit, er, stretched at the moment due to reasons.

I think there will be Ukranian involvement - at the very least I imagine the BBC will be bringing in Opertec to do the specialist cameras as nearly every other host broadcaster including RAI have done. But I think it'll have a very "neutral" flavour, and play the "united in song" card very heavily. If I were a betting man I would say the flavour would be very much a statement of "love love peace peace" and a melodic middle finger to Putin.

So who do we think will host? Graham must be a shoe-in, but I wonder if the BBC will invite Timur to copresent with maybe Mel Gediroyc as a female to provide some light and shade, and being a polyglot can do the heavy lifting with the French bits?

[scottishtv]

I would think the contest would still have to be as if it was Ukrainian albeit in the UK.

So Ukranian hosts, Ukranian locations in the 'postcards', and Ukranian theme/flavour to proceedings?

In traditional forum-style, I'm going to get way ahead of myself here focusing on the small things - but it would be real opportunity to make the postcards a bit more creative.  The obvious choice is to use them as a tourism promo for the host country (you'd be foolish not to).  I know the whole country is not a warzone and many places will still be stunningly beautiful but international tourism to Ukraine may still be difficult in the coming years. It would be interesting to see a focus on traditions, culture, art, food and drink etc. as well as some tourism stuff - or maybe a different theme/ 'unity' approach altogether.  The risk with that is they become too political. 

Anyway, much bigger decisions to be made first but I'm sure there will be many talented people involved to get the tone just right.

[Newshound47]

Mel would be good as the British Host. I think they will want a British Host to go alongside one or two Ukrainians.

[telebox2001]

The last Kyiv contest didn't showcase the country at all - it profiled the artists in their home nation. I imagine that's the way it'll be played.

[Omnipresent]

The BBC clearly seem caught by surprise by the EBU's statement.  Many have interpreted the BBC's statement as them being ambivalent about hosting, but in current circumstances they wouldn't want to appear tactless or pre-empt discussions.

I also see from Twitter Nicola Sturgeon says the Scottish government is willing to discuss hosting in Scotland.  I guess funding from government (if any) and the host city will be a big factor.

[madmusician]

I hear that the blank month in Glasgow is most certainly not a coincidence...

[Brekkie]

Manchester City Council also tweeting their interest.

Is it the host broadcaster or EBU/Eurovision who get the final call?

[Newshound47]

I wonder if the BBC Will prefer to the Government to give funding particularly as because the audience will be mostly if not entirely Ukrainian License Fee payers won’t have as much involvement as if the UK won.

Could the Annual opening party be held in London at the Ukrainian Embassy?

[gottago]

I wonder if the BBC Will prefer to the Government to give funding particularly as because the audience will be mostly if not entirely Ukrainian

What? No it won't.

[Newshound47]

I wonder if the BBC Will prefer to the Government to give funding particularly as because the audience will be mostly if not entirely Ukrainian

What? No it won't.

There are many calls on social media for Ukrainians to be given priority or even sole access to audience tickets. It’s hard to be see those calls not being at least partly listened to.

[Brekkie]

Commercialisation always wins over compassion. Not sure how many "locals" attend compared to the touring superfans anyway.

[aaron_scotland]

I doubt it would sell out if they made it Ukrainian audience only. Those who are still in Ukraine are hardly in a position to afford to fly out to the UK, also consider no Airports are working in the country.

It might be more of a gesture to gift some to Ukrainian refugees already in the UK.

EDIT: Also the finale tickets in previous years are pretty expensive, around £300 I think I saw.

[Newshound47]

Commercialisation always wins over compassion.  Not sure how many "locals" attend compared to the touring superfans anyway.

I think quite a lot in Ukraine in 2017 as it didn’t get as many travellers. Baku also had a more local crowd I think.

I think the crowd will be a minimum 50% Ukrainian maybe even more. They will be a lot of controversy if Ukrainians are seen as being shut out.

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I doubt it would sell out if they made it Ukrainian audience only. Those who are still in Ukraine are hardly in a position to afford to fly out to the UK, also consider no Airports are working in the country.

It might be more of a gesture to gift some to Ukrainian refugees already in the UK.

They might well not put tickets on sale for some of the rehearsals as normally done and simply gift them all to refugees. Through I would not rule out a much more limited amount of tickets for the live shows going on sale than normal.

[Inspector Sands]

Not always possible as venues are often booked for concerts years in advance.

I remember seeing on Twitter that the Hydro in Glasgow has been cleared of bookings for the entirety on next May. It’s possible the BBC is considering that venue and that would hold quite a lot.

Very handy for connectivity too, being across the river from BBC Scotland

[aaron_scotland]

Next step I guess is waiting for the BBC to reply with something a bit more enthusiastic. I will be very upset with the BBC if they decline the offer