Eurovision 2023 - BBC

[Newshound47]

My thoughts. As many Ukrainian broadcasting performers and professionals as possible should be involved in the production, on both sides of the camera. With it resourced and guided by the BBC and UK broadcast facility suppliers, and with the UK's general top drawer reputation for TV production, it could be the best solution for all

Might be tricky considering men are banned from leaving the country and have to fight in the war. Kalush got special dispensation, I doubt they will be able to do as you have suggested. Don’t get me wrong though, I agree it would be the right thing to do if possible

The Ukrainian Government would likely give special dispensation if they were backing such an idea. Plenty of Ukrainian sportsmen have been given exemptions so they can compete abroad and raise awareness and/or funds of Ukraine.

[Markymark]

My thoughts. As many Ukrainian broadcasting performers and professionals as possible should be involved in the production, on both sides of the camera. With it resourced and guided by the BBC and UK broadcast facility suppliers, and with the UK's general top drawer reputation for TV production, it could be the best solution for all

Might be tricky considering men are banned from leaving the country and have to fight in the war. Kalush got special dispensation, I doubt they will be able to do as you have suggested. Don’t get me wrong though, I agree it would be the right thing to do if possible

Fair point,  though such a production regardless where it's held will consume many staff for weeks beforehand, so if held in Ukraine the men would still have stepped away from war service,  so leaving the country is essentially no different

[natashajacobs]

Might be tricky considering men are banned from leaving the country and have to fight in the war. Kalush got special dispensation, I doubt they will be able to do as you have suggested. Don’t get me wrong though, I agree it would be the right thing to do if possible

The Ukrainian Government would likely give special dispensation if they were backing such an idea. Plenty of Ukrainian sportsmen have been given exemptions so they can compete abroad and raise awareness and/or funds of Ukraine.

It depends how many people were to come here for Eurovision. A few select performers, in the same way as sportspeople, would probably be possible. Filling the stadium with Ukrainians in tech positions and the like, is unlikely due to safety concerns. You’re flying planes in and out of a war zone so have to keep it to a minimum. Same as they did in the British bases in Afghanistan when they took civilians over there for the troops.

[Newshound47]

I'd be interested to know what the different options they came up with in terms of security are. No-one can predict what the situation will be in a month let alone next May, no security plan can make everyone in the auditorium safe from an air raid.

BBC staff going to Ukraine currently need hostile environment training, it's a war zone, not somewhere to host a singing competition

The simple issue is the entire territory of Ukraine is currently described as a do not travel area by the FCO. That doesn’t look like changing anytime soon. There is no way the BBC could send anyone who doesn’t work for news/current affairs to somewhere covered by that advice.

[natashajacobs]

Might be tricky considering men are banned from leaving the country and have to fight in the war. Kalush got special dispensation, I doubt they will be able to do as you have suggested. Don’t get me wrong though, I agree it would be the right thing to do if possible

Fair point,  though such a production regardless where it's held will consume many staff for weeks beforehand, so if held in Ukraine the men would still have stepped away from war service,  so leaving the country is essentially no different

That’s true.

[Newshound47]

The Ukrainian Government would likely give special dispensation if they were backing such an idea. Plenty of Ukrainian sportsmen have been given exemptions so they can compete abroad and raise awareness and/or funds of Ukraine.

It depends how many people were to come here for Eurovision. A few select performers, in the same way as sportspeople, would probably be possible. Filling the stadium with Ukrainians in tech positions and the like, is unlikely due to safety concerns. You’re flying planes in and out of a war zone so have to keep it to a minimum. Same as they did in the British bases in Afghanistan when they took civilians over there for the troops.

That’s a good point. 

They could go by land to Poland or another border country to board flights but train travel across Ukraine is not risk free either. I think some who do have exemptions as well as some Journalists and Diplomats are doing that to get in and out of Ukraine through.

[Brekkie]

What is really heartening is how quickly so many key figures from key cities have welcomed the prospect of hosting Eurovision rather than seeing it as burden. There really are options - though of course once cities do the sums that may temper their enthusiasm, but I think most will see it as worthwhile for the potential long term tourism benefits.

As for Ukraine given their initial reaction I wouldn't even be so sure they'd send a delegation. I'm sure though once the initial anger cools and the reality is accepted their attitude will soften.

[Newshound47]

I imagine the best Male Ukrainian broadcast staff are probably on a reserved occupation list and are still working to keep Ukrainian TV and Radio working.

[telebox2001]

Of course it's very sad that the EBU believe Ukraine are not in a position to host next year.

However, the UK has stepped in previously. The BBC website reports that they " ... hosted for the Netherlands in 1960, for France in 1963, for Monaco in 1972, and Luxembourg in 1974."

The BBC are more than capable of producing an amazing event, but it needs to be very clear that it's on behalf of Ukraine, not instead of them. 

That could be signalled by even using the Ukrainian flag in the    element of the Eurovision logo, or a combination of the UK/Ukranian flags.

I've seen a few mocks where the heart is half Union Jack, half Ukraine, with the host city in the Cyrillic alphabet underneath the Latin version.  I imagine that will be what we end up with.

It has to have a bit of British - some people on socials have suggested interval acts could include Lucie Jones, who flew the flag for the UK at the last Ukranian show; a special performance of Never Give Up On You would certainly strike an emotional chord.

But by the same token there's no rule that says the Kalush Orchestra, Jamala, Ruslana, Verka etc. can't all have a part to play.  By the same token I will be very surprised if Timur doesn't have a presentational role, which would him the 4th person to ever host more than once (and the first man.)

It'll be hard to get the tone right - whilst I'm not sure an SVT/Edward Af Silén style approach would read the room correctly, neither should we end up with the funeralistic vibe of Shine A Light.

[Ericak]

The thing that is they won the contest, that can't be taken away from them. Hosting the following years isn't the prize it's just a consequence of winning. 

It is fairly obvious that it can't be held in Ukraine and when that scenario happens another broadcaster hosts it. Its unfortunate but its just one of those things

My thoughts. As many Ukrainian broadcasting performers and professionals as possible should be involved in the production, on both sides of the camera. With it resourced and guided by the BBC and UK broadcast facility suppliers, and with the UK's general top drawer reputation for TV production, it could be the best solution for all

Yeah DCMS or Scottish Govt and the BBC will definitely spend 30m on a Ukranian show. 
Importing a Ukraine production team is beyond ridiculous. All the UK cities currently interested in hosting aren't doing it for their solidarity with Ukraine. It will clearly be a British show with nods to Ukraine.

[Newshound47]

All three Acts who have won Eurovision for Ukraine have called for the EBU to reconsider the decision to not allow the contest to be hosted in the Ukraine.

It has also been revealed Suspline offered Lyiv and a location on the border with Hungary and Slovakia but both have been rejected.

I can only see the EBU u turning or Suspline withdrawing from the contest. Possibly we see a dual hosted contest in which the presenters are based in Ukraine but the acts perform from somewhere else - like a border country.

It is being reported by the Guardian that Boris Johnson has discussed co hosting with Ukraine including hosting parts in Ukraine and parts in the UK.

[DeMarkay]

Found this on Reddit:


https://www.reddit.com/r/eurovision/comm...k_cohosts/

[Brekkie]

All three Acts who have won Eurovision for Ukraine have called for the EBU to reconsider the decision to not allow the contest to be hosted in the Ukraine.

It has also been revealed Suspline offered Lyiv and a location on the border with Hungary and Slovakia but both have been rejected.

I can only see the EBU u turning or Suspline withdrawing from the contest. Possibly we see a dual hosted contest in which the presenters are based in Ukraine but the acts perform from somewhere else - like a border country.

It is being reported by the Guardian that Boris Johnson has discussed co hosting with Ukraine including hosting parts in Ukraine and parts in the UK.

The last thing Eurovision needs is Boris Johnson getting involved.

They'll be no U-turning by the EBU.  Ukraine offered Kyiv and Lviv, both bombed in recent weeks, and Zakarpattia, more remote but also hit by missiles in May.   It's not fair but the blame lies with Putin, not the EBU.  The EBU have might the right call for the other 39 countries - that is the responsible thing to do.

[valley]

I imagine the best Male Ukrainian broadcast staff are probably on a reserved occupation list and are still working to keep Ukrainian TV and Radio working.

Indeed - Ukrainian firm OperTec were the remote camera provider for this year's competition, for example.

[Newshound47]

All three Acts who have won Eurovision for Ukraine have called for the EBU to reconsider the decision to not allow the contest to be hosted in the Ukraine.

It has also been revealed Suspline offered Lyiv and a location on the border with Hungary and Slovakia but both have been rejected.

I can only see the EBU u turning or Suspline withdrawing from the contest. Possibly we see a dual hosted contest in which the presenters are based in Ukraine but the acts perform from somewhere else - like a border country.

It is being reported by the Guardian that Boris Johnson has discussed co hosting with Ukraine including hosting parts in Ukraine and parts in the UK.

The last thing Eurovision needs is Boris Johnson getting involved.

They'll be no U-turning by the EBU.  Ukraine offered Kyiv and Lviv, both bombed in recent weeks, and Zakarpattia, more remote but also hit by missiles in May.   It's not fair but the blame lies with Putin, not the EBU.  The EBU have might the right call for the other 39 countries - that is the responsible thing to do.

I agree but the optics of Ukraine withdrawing because they see the EBU as not supporting them enough would be damaging to the EBU.

I am not sure the BBC will choose to host such a contest if Ukraine is not supportive of them hosting. I think they might let someone else do it if that ends up the situation. Hopefully a solution is found that everyone can accept and is safe for everyone involved.