He’s the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest who’s overseen some of the most radical changes to the modern contest. But it’s now clear than Jon Ola Sand has switched at least some of his attention away from Europe and towards the rest of the world.
Speaking to Eurovision Fan House, he has confirmed that the European Broadcasting Union is discussing the option of creating a Eurovision-style contest for the United States of America.
He said: “We also want to see if it’s possible to create an American version of the Eurovision Song Contest, although we haven’t concluded that yet.”
And while the topic may be on the table for discussion, Jon Ola also suggested that we may not be seeing ‘Americavision’ on our screens in the next few years.
“This is a long term strategy for sure to see how far outside of Europe the brand can reach,” he said.
So what would Eurovision America entail? While Jon Ola doesn’t mention anything else about the contest in this most recent interview, he has previously alluded to the format of the show.
“We are actually in contact with producers in the US to see if it is possible to stage a similar show as the Eurovision Song Contest in the US — competing states against states,” he said. “This is an idea that doesn’t come from us, but from producers there who know the market.”
“For everyone who knows the TV business in the US, it’s very different from Europe and so it has to be a different show adapted for the market. Still, if it carries the brand of Eurovision Song Contest one way or another we have to make sure it carries and is recognisable, and is not just a competition.”
Such a contest would be similar to the Bundesvision Song Contest in Germany, between its 16 Bundesland.
You can hear his comments from 14:00 below.
Will Eurovision America ever happen? With the EBU’s current deal with Viacom to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest live on Logo each year, the US may slowly be warming to the idea of Americavision. The 2017 contest managed to gain an audience of 64,000 viewers in the US (up from 52,000 in 2016).
However, if history repeats itself then we may not want to get our hopes up just yet.
In 2006, multiple American media agencies, including Futon Critic, announced that NBC had gained the rights to a Eurovision-style contest for the country’s 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. The contest was to be decided 100% by public voting, although the exact details were never publicised.
Unfortunately, the contest never came to fruition. However, the fact that these new reports come straight from Jon Ola Sand himself may give hope that more substantial discussions are now underway.
CHANGES TO EUROVISION AND ESC 2018
Although the biggest takeaway from Jon Ola’s interview may be the two lines mentioned about Eurovision America, he did speak about other aspects relating more to the European contest.
When asked if he thought Eurovision had reached its full potential, his answer was no. “The potential has not been reached yet because we still have a lot to do,” he said. “Changes have to be made in steps. And step by step we will continue to develop and take care of the ESC.”
He doesn’t anticipate changes to the voting system, as the current system is the result of years of research and analysis.
“When we decided to change to the present system in 2016 it took many years to make sure it was fair and that we could do this. We had tested it many times and measured the consequences of a system like this. We talked a lot to the members about it, to make sure they were on board and understood the whole set up.”
Jon Ola also gave a brief outlook on the upcoming 2018 contest in Lisbon and said that officials are currently gathering the best core team possible to run the show.
“The Portuguese team is eagerly working on the narrative of the Song Contest and how they can use the show to leverage Portugal, to best showcase themselves, of course always in a way that connects closely to the ESC and its values.”
Are you looking forward to the possibility of Eurovision America? Who would you like to see represent what state? Let us know in the comment section below!
Do you know what could be exciting????? Let American countries vote. If they cannot participate singing in the contest, they could vote as same as Europe and Australia. They already do it through social media. Can anybody imagine USA, Canada, Mexico, Brasil, Argentina and some other countries giving their 12 points ??? They could begin with USA and Canada voting!
Let the Americans in at least the United Kingdom will get some points
They need to make an Eurovision America for the whole continent, not just the US. It would be super interesting (and yes, there’s more than reggaetón here, even among top 40 music). Or bring the OTI festival back, independent of the EBU.
OTI had some quite good songs but was super bored. Bringing back OTI doesnt sound great to me. I think EBU should talk to american countries to broadcast the Show and let the Eurovision well know in the continent (why not let them just vote at eurovision too) Then if American countries loves the show and like to vote for their favourites at Eurovision, They will be so grateful to have their own continent competition, “Americavision” … Well its just an idea
Would be nice if they did a National Selection with all 50 states, DC, and US territories, and then whoever won that would go on to compete in Americavision where all countries within the continent would have the chance to participate.:D
ESCUSE ME AMERICA IS FROM ARGENTINA TO ALASKA, PLEASE GO TO SCHOOL AGAIN OLA SAN, OH I UNDERSTANSD YOU HAVE FEAR BECAUSE THE 80% OF THE CONTRIES SPEAK SPANISH AND SURE ALWAYS USA WILL LOST, JA JA ONLY THE MONEY IS IMPORTANT, REMEMBER THAT THE MUSIC IN AMERICA HAVE TO MUCH VIEWS IN YOUTUBE THAT THE EUROPE MUSIC.
Well… Let me chime on this. Ok. The format will be better suited for the ENTIRE continent instead of the U.S. alone, as for me, it would make the show just dull to watch (#sorrynotsorry). It’ll be more bearable for anyone to watch the whole continent (from Canada to Argentina, and the Caribbean countries included) because all 50 states + the D.C. would be just ugh… I know the OTI Festival existed from the 70s until 2000 when it was canceled for good. Rumors have come up over the years saying that it may come back but nothing happens. So… Read more »
Why am I ALWAYS late for the party? I didn’t even know that such a contest existed that was nearly identical to what I’ve been proposing for the last 3 years…
…But I did know that the CBU (Caribbean Broadcasting Union) had a contest of its own; the Caribbean Song Festival.
Maybe the OTI (whose last winner came from the U.S., after a decade that saw Spain win 4 of its 6 titles), the CBU and one or two other multinational broadcasting organizations can put their heads together and make the Song Contest of the Americas a reality.
12 points from Kentucky go to… Tennessee!
0 points from the televote go to… WYOMING!!!
JUST the UNITED STATES!?!? I’M Argentinian and i can’t understand how they can call themselves AMERICA as if the other countries didn’t exist… Que se metan el america vision en el culo!!!!!
I believe that USA will not take part of Eurovision. Instead, they will explore what’s in Eurovision and they will make a counterpart of it which has a world-wide audience range.
Americavision would be really cool, considering how each state (or region at least) has individual music characteristics that separate it from the rest. My only concern is how would they fit 50 states in? Two semi-finals of 25 and then a final? Still seems like a lot.
Maybe have 3 semis? One Monday, one Wednesday, one Friday and the Grand Final on Sunday…
As an American fan of Eurovision, I cannot see this working out. There are so many factors that makes Eurovision work so much easier as a European contest that would not work for The Americas.
That was a very informative article! Generally, I notice an attempt to establish “Eurovision” all over the world. First Eurovision Asia, now the US. I was hoping for a contest between different countries of the whole continent, but anyway. It’s an applicable concept. The United States is a big country, with 50 states, each state will be represented by an artist, it makes sense. A concern I have is how possible it is for each state to find a singer to represent them. Also, we are not sure if it will be successful, because Americans are not familiar with ESC.… Read more »
well I like the voting now, espacially when they present the votes, it’s so exciting. I would rather see Finland in the finals than Australia, but you know Isaiah’ song wasn’t bad it’s not like the juries send San Marino, Montenegro or Lithuania to the finals.. And I agree with jury most of the time – this year they were right about Romania and Croatia.
Yeah, one thing that makes the new voting system good is the exciting process!
I also wanted Finland in the final! But it’s ok! It will remain a great song for me!
I hope Eurovision USA Song Contest will happen, and my biggest worry is that American citizens will not accept something that is so obviously coming from Europe. They tend to say…we have our own shows, thank you very much.
American states are different, but it remains to be seen if they want to respect that, because we saw in ESC how most sing in english, the same genres.
If it were just Eurovision USA, maybe it could work. A contest involving all of the US states, territories and commonwealths would be a lot more likely than a contest between all of the American countries.
I think the idea is great 🙂 But I am sceptical for it being a “brainchild” of EBU. We don’t need another ESC copy….we already have that. But something which reflected the poø/rock music AND the TV-style of THAT continent
With just the states??? I know it’s already been said but it can’t be just the states! Like seriously, the states could be our national final selection thing if Americavision took off but it can’t just be Eurovision America with only states. It would be so much more interesting with all of the Americas and Island countries like everyone else has said cuz to be honest I don’t care about American music that much. I’m for Americavision to see what the other countries would contribute. Anyway, whatever. I’m not gonna get my panties in a bunch over something that is… Read more »
Okay, I guess it could be cool even with the states. I mean, at least we get to join the fun! 😀
Not really. We would get a bunch of raggae songs in Spanish that all sound the same. A US states and Canadian provinces, including US territories (Puerto Rico, Guam) would be interesting.
Not necessarily. I know some obscure artists who make really good music that is not always in Spanish neither is it raggae but yeah, there’s probably truth to what you say. 😀
Well maybe if there isn’t just states competing(they have almost completly the same culture, so the show would be boring as hell). But if South America, and the other countries of North America compete, maybe, but yeah I can’t wait for Asia Eurovision – but in America as someone said before they have like 3 languages spoken around the whole continent, so yeah… but that idea of states competing(Ola Sand said it’s not their idea(of EBU), but the US broadcaster) it’s just terrible, I would never watch that, and it shows how are Americans arrogant.
I would love to see a song contest similar to Eurovision in the U.S, but please DO NOT use the “Eurovision brand.” The Eurovision brand has ruined the reputation of the contest among many music professionals. This brand has become associated with politically and socially liberal fanatics, and constantly diverts contest analyses away from the musical merit of the songs. I am sorry that the Asian contest will carry the Eurovision brand, and I really hope the U.S doesn’t follow suit. I love following Eurovision because I am a composer and like to see what kinds of songs succeed, but… Read more »
I agree
Why don’t they just do the Worldvision? I think it would be fun.
logistically, that’s impossible. Simon Cowell once tried that to the Got Talent franchise but it’s just that hard to pull off
Also the World Idol back in the early 00s which was a mess!
I don’t really like the idea of the EBU just kind of selling of the style of Eurovision… Eurovision Asia will be awesome cause it will be something different but I mean Eurovision America would be way too much… I feel as if Eurovision (original) would lose so much of its originality, atmosphere and just plain uniqueness. Hopefully this doesn’t happen :/
Hahahaha great comment!
No god no
No god no
Nah. An American version would be overkill.
So now in addition to the annoying “5 artists that India needs to send to Eurovision Asia,” you will bore us with “will Beyonce represent who he f*ck cares”?
Grab my like, sir.
It does sound as a intriguing idea but 50 states competing would be a nightmare to produce. Ether to have two or three semifinals and maybe 25 states in Grand Final but let every state vote?
Obviously it would have to be changed somewaht to make it American and really make it thier thing. Similar to how Pop Idol became American Idol.
Wonder if there would be neighbour voting. How would that look? All New England states giving high remarks to each-other? All the East Coast states supporting each-other? East vs West?
Could be fun to watch..
If they want an Americanvision, EBU must should talk with Organización de Telecomunicaciones de Iberoamérica (OTI) to revive own American Eurovision death festival in the 2000’s.
Neighbour voting at its best. Too many Spanish speaking and Caribbean nations, which will make US, Canada and Brazil an analogy to UK, Germany and Spain.
Don’t forget that US will have to give 12 points to Mexico every-year on televoting! 😛
Brazil can get points from rest Spanish speakers! the US and Canada will have to vote each other + get votes from English Caribbean speakers because they will get a fat 0 from Latin American countries which will make difficult them to win the contest here even if they send Madonna or Beyonce.
Brazilians don’t speak Spanish, but Portuguese.
But Portuguese and Spanish are almost the same language!
No, they are not.
Also, music in Spanish isn’t big deal in Brazil, not as much as in English.
I’m Latin American Spanish speaker and live near the Brasilian boder and belive me that music in English isn’t deal here when they have their Latin neighbourds.
I’m Italian and I live in Brazil.
Both Italian and Portuguese are my native languages.
So in his interview he spoke of state-on-stage competition, not nation-on-nation. Would be curious to see if there are state allegiances — south voting for the south, northwestern states voting for northwestern states, etc.
We would have country songs from half of the states, from Montana to Virginia to Mississippi. And of course, a country winner four times out of five–just look at their talent show winners!
This. We would get a bunch of raggae songs that all sound the same.
I can’t see it taking off in America the continent. Literally three main languages are spoken and there aren’t many cultural differences between the countries.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Yes, there are four main languages (Spanish, Portuguese, English and French), but there is more than enough cultural diversity to make a super interesting contest. Mexico is completely different from Colombia, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Barbados, Aruba. Reggaetón is not the only genre even in Latin American pop. You can’t think a whole continent’s music scene is the three songs you hear on European radio just as we can’t think all of Europe’s music scene is David Guetta and Avicii.
Sounds great. Just as long as I don’t have to listen to lots of sour Brits drone on about how much they ‘hate those Yanks’.
Please, HELL NO. The US has the Eurovision on a niche tv channel and has shown it for 2, soon to be 3 years. Canada showed it what, like once, and has given up on it. No other American country seems to care either. At least with the Asian version we had Australia which has transmitted the original for over 30 years and has even participated and China which had already shown both the show and interest in participation. Let the Asian version go for a decade or 2, if it manages that(I personally hope it does stay but there… Read more »
Eurovision in Latin America has been telecasted over 20 years here via TVE, RTP and RAI as well due our diasporas.
But those are European broadcasters with special worldwide broadcasting. Not those countries showing them, like Brazil which is an Associate member of the EBU.
Brazil can watch ESC live via RIP or TVE!
Yes, but it is not the official Brazilian broadcaster that is an Associate member that does it. Whether Brazil cares or not RTP and TVE would still transmit it idiot, and the fact that the Brazillian channel doesn’t proves they don’t care. Get it through your thick skull.
Brazil doesn’t have a tv station at EBU, but a radio station LOL..
Yes it does….
In Brazil, believe it or not, it’s TV Cultura the EBU’s associate member or something like this
Yes, TV Cultura, which is a Tv channel reserved to educational programmes. The largest Brazilian TV enterprises are all private.
There is 1 small thing about the North American television market that needs to be placed here. If a national OTA network like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW or PBS airs Eurovision America then Canada’s free-to-air networks will bid to see who gets the rights. Canada’s commercial OTA networks will not let the cities close to the US/Canadian border watch the contest via US stations either CTV, Global, City or CBC will get the right and simulcast it so that way they can air their own commercials over the American ones. Because of this it is very possible all… Read more »
It would only be difficult in the sense that the EBU had never needed to worry about having 50 (or 51) entries into the contest. 25 songs for a semi-final turns it into a Grand Final, so imagine having that across three days in a week–it’d be exhausting for viewers. That, paired with the current political climate, and it might make for harsh viewing based on the results. Granted if we don’t see it in a few years, then maybe the latter point will sort itself out, but it’ll be interesting whether or not every state/district will want to participate.… Read more »
Remember though that Eurovision started with 7 countries, and even today not every eligible country participates.
If a USA show happened, I could see maybe 20-25 states taking an interest – the coastal states in particular, and Tennessee, with its powerful country music industry. I’d be so curious to see how each state would handle its song selection – the details would be super interesting, and of course would have a huge impact on participation levels.
It’s a nice idea. We’ll obviously have to be patient and keep our expectations modest.
I guess I’m on board, in theory – if the E.B.U. have a hands-off approach – there first priority is to the European contest – and please, please, please don’t let this lead to a U.S.A entry in the Eurovision. I love America, truly, but…no.
…I mean “their”…
William, has the Eurovision next top male model been chosen yet?
I can’t seem to be able to recall seeing the results. Have i missed it somehow?
I believe they already have. Imri won.
Ah, I never published a post, just the video. Thanks for the reminder, as I should probably do that post soon! Here is the video: https://youtu.be/l8jJcBFi4UY
Oh god no! I don’t America to participate in Eurovision as I’m sure they’ll treat it like a joke.
Considering how they made Pop Idol into their own, as long as the format is handled by the right people then all is good.
The American states will just compete against each other in a Eurovision like contest.