When the EBU confirmed that Eurovision 2020 was cancelled, it opened up a big gap in the schedules of broadcasters around Europe. Suddenly three prime-time television shows were missing from mid-May schedules. But there may be a solution. German television executive Thomas Schreiber has hinted at a replacement show from the EBU.
Thomas Schreiber, Head of Entertainment at German broadcaster ARD, spoke about the disappointment of the 2020 contest being cancelled. But he said, “it is the only right decision.” Schreiber was also clear that “the health of everyone must be the top priority.”
He also hinted that 2020 might not be the end of the line for Germany’s 2020 artist Ben Dolic. The young singer was due to perform his song “Violent Thing”. Schreiber suggests fans may see more of Dolic, saying “We will now discuss with our creative partners what this means in detail for us and our artist Ben Dolic with his successful song “Violent Thing”.”
What will replace Eurovision on May 16?
Broadcasters around Europe now have a four-hour gap in their prime-time Saturday-night schedule for May 16. Schreiber suggests that the EBU may come to the rescue with some sort of show.
He told German Eurovision fans, “We will let you know as soon as possible whether there will be a Europe-wide offer from the EBU for all 41 countries that would have taken part in the ESC this year.” If this isn’t possible, Schreiber says that German channel Das Erste will instead broadcast a “Eurovision evening”.
No alternate programming details have been confirmed for the first semi-final on 12 May, which Germany was also due to broadcast.
Germany is one of the so-called “Big Five” countries of Europe and is considered a powerful member of the Eurovision family.
What do you think? Should the EBU produce a replacement show for European viewers to screen on May 16? What sort of show would you like to see? Tell us your thoughts below!
Canceling the Eurovision Song Contest was completely unnecessary! The ESC could be held in virtual form without any problems. Everyone will by now understand that it would be impossible to gather 10,000 people in one concert venue. But Europe needs the ESC, because it brings us all together. The Contest is needed now, more than ever. 1. All member countries have filmed their entries already. 2. The countries juries could very well convene anyway, virtually or in another way, and name their ”douze points”. The jury members will already have viewed the member countries’ films. 3. The Contest will have… Read more »
An online contest might be nice 🙂
ImhO it wouldn’t be neccessary to have a voting and a crowned winner in a possible replacement show. I get the most excitement out of the live performances. If I could have a show with the selected 2020 performers singing and presenting their songs in one big (well organized) show sometime later in the year – I’d be happy.
How about an online concert, everyone performs their song on a stage in their own country, no voting. Eurovision is not about the win or the points, it’s about bringing people together through music. Also, this will give exposure to all these many young artists. Another option if we insist on the voting: do the jury and public voting and the winner or the top 5 countries earn an automatic qualification for the final next yeat, along with the big 5 and the Netherlands?
Actually Eurovision is about the win and the points, that’s the most exciting part about it.
A shorter version of the show could work. Just show all 41 videos.A commercial break after every 8 songs.
A 15 minute voting time…..
Go on…..would work.
doesn’t make sense to have video of live performances mixed with studio version of many other entries, would be very unfair to vote on it.
Eurovision should have never been canceled. Make everyone to film a live performance, small studio, small screen, couple of lights, same setup for everyone, nothing fancy. You can even add fake cheers. And make a show out of it. Judges can vote from home, people will vote from home. We don’t need fancy arenas, fancy stages etc. This is a difficult time, people need entertainment, people need a distraction.
And the winner of such basic show will organise Eurovision 2021? No way, as a Dutchman I think we can’t give this great opportunity away that easy. We had the spirit to make this year as one of its best. All the suggested plan B’s and C’s do not right to the show that was originaly planned. Cancellation to next year is in my opinion the best option, there are other priorities now.
I don’t understand why this was not an option. What exactly speaks against this? The sole fact that it will bring in less money and won’t look that fancy? They could also clarify in advance that the winning country will NOT get to host ESC 2021 because Rotterdam has the hosting rights, but they’ll still get the trophy and still will be known as the rightful winner of ESC 2020. The risk of filming simple live performance in each participating country can’t be that big if they keep all kinds of live shows running all over Europe. In my opinion,… Read more »
I don’t know if it’s working like that, cause the filming conditions would be different from participant to participant. They won’t be able to properly verify the conditions of how they are singing live, of how they are adding something extra to the show, also it would be really difficult to make a live broadcast from 41 locations that are not verified before. What if someone wants to make a public message (and I don’t think that it would be any surprise) that wouldn’t be proppriate in the live show? So, the only option would be to not make a… Read more »
It’s 2020, i’m sure they can figure it out. But they decided to go the lazy and easy path.
Why not do the Eurovision by every country showing their song from their home finals in their respective country. Voters can sms from at home and 1, only 1, presenter could conduct the whole thing. 1 person from each country can give the show their votes like normal. I think it would be fascinating to see for example Sweden’s song from their home final: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lEBweXcpOY
It would still be exciting to watch and who needs the professional jury anyway? Just sayin’:
Just show the music videos and let people vote. I mean the songs are already online and on Spotify, why save them til next year?
Yes that’s what I have been saying for the past few days. There’s no big production team needed or numerous cameramen or technicians. Every country has an official video in place. Juries and tekevotes would count as normal. No it’s not a patch on the original show but it’s still an event that would be far better than nothing at all. I agree with the people saying that it’s a money issue. By that I mean the lack of revenue generated by audiences and TV rights. I imagine that most die hard eurovision fans would rather have something to watch… Read more »
They should do 4 straight hours of Valentina Monetta singing.
Featuring Aly Ryan as the opening act
As well as Jenifer Brening
I would love to see something like a song festival, not a contest though, especially if it could happen this summer or autumn. Probably, they could simply show the compilation of the music videos by all the contestants meant to compete this year in May. This won’t cost almost anything.
Maybe a broadcasted concert like the wiwi Jam without audience would be a good idea (yes a concert is more achievable because it’s better to screen a hundred people than 20k people) And the money broadcasters will get from viewership and ads can be given to researchers for a vaccine and to hospitals to buy more masks or whatever they need
Apart from my wishes that this madness ends as soon as possible, i am worried about the future of the contest. When a 64 years tradition breaks, things will never be the same. Eurovision has managed to created a brand so strong that careers were boosted with just one perfomance, like Eleni who is now the biggest pop star in Greece and Cyprus. How the purpose of eurovision will continue, if the year that it was mostly needed, it was cancelled? An alternative contest with participants from their home country would send such a strong message of unity in times… Read more »
Postpone Eurovision for September 2020.
It’s too late
it’s never too late, if (let’s hope) the situation has calmed down by the end of may, they might reconsider organizing it in some way.
It is indeed a pity for Rotterdam and the people who have planned ESC for a whole year. The competition is so much more than just three nights on television. But they have the whole plan ready and can certainly organize next year’s competition. However, I feel sorry for all the artists and songwriters. They never get to know how it was for their particular song. Okay, many of the artists have already been promised that they will be performing next year with another song. But not with this year’s song, it is exhausted and too old next year. Sweden… Read more »
David – nothing to add to your comment. Everything is on point and what we want. Video Contest is fine.
No more Måns Zelmerlöw, please! Someone else, please!
Måns Zelmerlöw yes that dady is cute!
I wonder if all the countries would agree with this idea. Cause they didn’t prepare their videos for a contest. Yes, most of the fans would prefer something like that, however I’m not sure if all participante would want to.
It would simply be amazing to see a “Eurovision Memories” show on the night of May 16th, to honor the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. EBU and the Eurovision platform could create a three-hour show to be broadcaster showing the best of Eurovision since 1956 til 2019.
I’m all for that.
I think broadcasters should probably pick their 2020 acts and the EBU should let them choose if they want to get a new song or use their 2020 one. Bulgaria and Switzerland would love that. Artists like Tom Leeb and Blas can bring so much better songs next year. Internally selected acts can stay for 2021 if the artists want to do it. Countries that have gone internal at least once in the past 5 years should do it again(Israel)(Albania)(Italy). Countries with long running traditions like Melfest should do the Estonia model and give their 2020 acts a ticket to… Read more »
I agree mostly but I don’t think it would be fair if some would be able to bring their songs back and others would choose new ones. The whole point is to ensure that all songs are released within the same time frame so that no one has an advantage. I think even the artists who will return next year will have to release new ones.
Okay, I tell you what I would do. The songs from “ESC 2020” are “burned” – we maybe get the artists from 2020 for ESC 2021 but we will not get these 41 songs. that is for sure. All countries have sent in their official videos. All of these videos are super good and high quality. Germany can do 2 Semi-finals showing these videos and let Europe + Australia vote for these videos. The best 20 + BIG 5 + The Netherlands will be shown again in the “Grand Final” on May 16th and be voted to find out the… Read more »
This is exactly my view of Eurovision when the world is kidnapped by CONVId-19. Let us watch videos and vote! Maybe proceeds can go to the charity to buy more medical equipment for those in most need
I love this idea. Everyone should see this. Post it anywhere you can, please. There IS an alternative ! It’s just that the right people need to want this and make it happen. We can stay safe and have a show at the same time.
This way The Netherlands loses their chance to host the show
No, they still host next year. The winners of EVC perhaps get a place straight to the final next year?
Kosey – that is a good idea. The Netherlands should still host the next ESC in 2021 because they deserve it and waited so long for that. The winner this year is then automaticly set in the Grand Final in ESC 2021. Love that idea.
I think that we should at least get a video of all the entrants, like previous years. Perhaps if the decision is made to not allow the 41 songs to participate, we could vote on best video/song online somehow.
Respect my pronouns, bitch.
I hope so
What I‘ve been thinking about was a contest in autumn. The spirit of Eurovision is to bring countries together in peace and let them have a music competition. In this hard time, why can‘t all of them stand together, bringing a contest then and, if needed, help the winners in terms of hosting in 2021? If all of them are in, I‘m sure they could make it an unforgettable contest in this hard time (while we all hope that the toughest part will be over in autumn). Anyway, whatever happens, the next Eurovision Song Contest will be a special one,… Read more »
There is no guarantee that the situation will be better in autumn
No but by then the virus will at least be contained and less people would get it.
this. it seems a lot of fans forget about this. i do hope we get an alternative show in May.
The situation WILL NOT be better in autumn. COVID-19 is a virus that spreads faster in cold weather so neither autumn nor spring, nor summer would be a good idea to host the contest in a Northern Country.
Countries with old selection shows/only one big music show and no real precedent of internally selecting their artists are probably going to ditch their 2020 artists in 2021: The cold-hearted Nordic group is most likely : Sweden (already ditched ) Denmark Norway Iceland Estonia(already ditched ) [Finland is in the Nordic block , but they have a recent itprecedent of internally choosing their artists ] [Australia might try to show Nordic solidarity , but they were initially internal only ] Less likely but still possible (only one big show in country ) Slovenia [Last internal selection was in 2014 ,… Read more »
Israel could also ditch Eden and Moldova as well with Natalia. With Russia you never really know and lowkey think Italy will not send Diodato… 🙂
imo..
Natalia has kirkorov standing beside her
Israel was anyways going to do a new selection method , they could just postpone the show one year
Italy did internally select in 2014 ? Was it ?
Russia , yes , due to two separate channels , they might have an issue as could Belgium
Jerk
Yes Yes Yes. a european show would be great.
Every artist should sing on a stage in their home-country, broadcast it to the Netherlands who coordinates and hosts the show. Juries and TV-Viewers give their Points from their home country. No need to cance the ESC, -just cancel audience.
Finland’s YLE has a Eurovision documentary set to air next month. depending on the length of that film, it could fill up a portion of the schedule.
Oh so they can have a Europe wide show but not THE show..
maybe something that has already been recorder, like performances from past years?
yes something like that maybe, and maybe also a way of waving off Jon Ola Sand as executive supervisor in style
Please do something Germany or the BBC in UK
The chances of the BBC stepping in to fund something is less than zero. They published an article notifying the public of the cancellation of Eurovision and in the comments section it was overwhelmingly negative about the contest – waste of money, outdated, time to cancel it, etc. There is virtually no love for ESC in the UK population so there is huge pressure for them to withdraw from Eurovision rather than put more money in.
There is less than zero chance the BBC will find anything – just check out the comments section on one of their articles about Eurovision yesterday – there is zero love for Eurovision in the UK
They don´t take it really serious.
Still there are many British fans and they did 2015 a really lovely and quality show.
When I say zero love, that is a rounded down percentage. There is probably up to 0.5% of the population who love it (myself included). I am ready for the downvotes, but it is true – Eurovision is seen as a joke in the UK. The UK already has a very well established music scene, it does not need Eurovision – therefore no good artists want to do it, it would harm their careers. There is a conundrum here for the EBU that they will have to confront at some point – is Eurovision primarily a serious music contest or… Read more »
Agreed.
BBC, well come on Graham Norton come up with something, i know Graham is a huge esc fan, same goes for Rylan Clark, Scott Mills, Mel Giedroyc
For sure they are fans, but they won’t put their own money in. And the BBC for sure won’t put anything in.
The BBC produced the 60th anniversary show, so they must be more open to it than you think.
Yes, great idea, a video contest would be a great idea. Let’s face it, possibly less than 5 songs will remain for 2021 – only those who thought they had a chance of winning – Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland spring to mind. Everyone else will select new artists or at the very least new songs (why would you send the same song when you know it has been panned by people who have listened to it so far). So yes, these songs need to be celebrated, it’s the only chance we will get. Maybe the winners could then get a free… Read more »
As time goes by, it becomes more and more unacceptable that they canceled and not postpone. The problems that this decision has created are enormous
not as many problems that postponing would have cancelled
@Esc1234 With all due respect, but the hard decision of cancelling was made based on the advise by researchers, scientists from health institutes to protect people. They did not do this for fun. As for now, nobody knows when this deadly virus will end. Even researchers seem to disagree with each other; some say it will go over in two months but only when we go full lockdown Wuhan style, or even after 10-12 months, There is no clear answer, so they better play it safe since they play with people’s life here. You behind a screen safe in your… Read more »
How do you know that they tried all that? Are you working for EBU? If so, in 2017 you suggested Russia should perform via satellite meaning that this was logistically possible. What changed now!?
Fully agree with Vincent. I think the EBU and everyone involved in the organisation are just as disappointed and sad about the decision as we all are. It is very sad after all the efforts and investments everyone had already done. But public health comes first, always! I am sorry, but I find it unbelievable that some people really seem to think the EBU has taken this decision lightly and lazy without considering or talking about other options? They based their decision on the advice of the experts and scientists about the virus and couldn’t do anything else than take… Read more »
What a stupid reaction. Do you really think they canceled the show when there would have been good alternatives. All the artists 100% agree with this decision and you can’t. Get a life friend!!!!
All the artists agree? Bulgaria and San Marino have different opinion
No, they agree too. They just want to still compete with their songs next year.
Not the artists.
They all agree? So is that why Eden was crying?
“To agree” doesn’t mean it makes you happy. Sometimes you have to agree because something is right and necessary even though it makes you sad. I’m sure the other contestants are as sad as Eden and I’m sure Eden agrees with the measures as well as the others
ARD should send all the Musicvideos from all the Song that should participate this year. That would be a nie alternative.
ardrez. – 100 % agree with you
For me that’s o.k., but I don’t need a videoshow with competition. Some have good videos , other bad ones. For me esc is a live event. May 2021 is only a year away and I can wait. Just show the best of Eurovision.
yes please, give me some hope. I really think there should be a solution to make these 41 songs and acts count in a way, even if it’s not in typical Eurovision style
just a sort of ”video show” broadcasted over all 41 competing countries, just for harmless non-competitive fun
Nicky91 – yes please