Eurovision 2020 is cancelled. But the spirit of the contest lives on, especially over the next seven days or so, in what would have been the week of the contest. Broadcasters all over Europe are organising their own alternative schedules and replacement shows.
And we’ve gone through the TV guides so you don’t have to! Listed below is all of the alternative Eurovision programming being broadcast on Monday 11 May.
Given the sheer amount of content, we haven’t been able to provide links. But most broadcasters should have online players. Geo-blocks may apply
These listings, while comprehensive, are not necessarily conclusive. If we are missing a show from your country, please let us know in the comments and we’ll update the post.
All times are in CEST unless otherwise stated.
Eurovision 2020: Replacement Shows for Monday 11 May
Pick of the day: Dana — The Original Derry Girl
22:35: RTÉ One (21:35 local time)
23:45: BBC One Northern Ireland (22:45 local time)
Fifty years ago, an 18-year-old schoolgirl left the Bogside and headed off to Amsterdam to represent Ireland in the 15th Eurovision Song Contest. What happened that night was to change her life forever.
Dana – The Original Derry Girl is a look back at that young schoolgirl’s incredible life story, retracing her steps to the stage of the RAI theatre, where against the odds she became Ireland’s first Eurovision winner.
The programme will feature a mixture of archive footage and interviews with Dana herself, as well as others who have played a role in her life.
Read more about Dana — The Original Derry Girl
Best of the rest
Eurovision 2020 The Cancelled Coronavirus Year
07:00: BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat (06:00 local time) – available on demand
Filming for this exclusive behind the scenes documentary began back in February – before it was revealed that the 2020 Eurovision song contest in Rotterdam was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat follows James Newman as he prepares to be unveiled as the UK’s Eurovision representative, filming him in rehearsals, and backstage at his first public performance of his Eurovision entry, accompanied by his brother, artist John Newman and their mum.
Following the cancellation of Eurovision, James shares what this means for him and he speaks to some of this year’s other contestants in other countries about their experiences and future plans. The documentary features commentary from artists who have worked with James, including Olly Murs, Mollie King and Piers from Rudimental.
Eurovision Diaries
14:00: YLE TV2 — Eurovision Diaries (15:00 local time)
18:24: YLE TV2 — Eurovision Diaries (19:24 local time)
The documentary takes a look back at the build-up to Eurovision 2019, but puts the spotlight on the fans from across the world. It will be based solely on video material recorded by Eurovision fans, giving people the chance to see the world through the eyes of Eurovision devotees and the love they have for the contest.
It will no doubt show some very emotional moments – tears of joy after someone’s favourite act takes home the trophy, or a heartbreak if the final vote did not go as a fan was hoping it would.
Episodes are airing throughout the week
Eurovision Diaries is available to watch internationally on Yle Areena. It is also available in English, so everyone is welcome to watch.
Read more about Eurovision Diaries
Dare To Dream Chapter 1.
18:57: KAN (19:57 local time)
KAN will air the first episode of its three-part documentary series about Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv. Currently, the series will only be available in Hebrew. There are plans to provide subtitles in the future.
Monday 11 May — Full Guide
07:00: BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat –Eurovision 2020 The Cancelled Coronavirus Year (06:00 local time) – available on demand
05:30 SBS: Eurovision 2015 — Guy (13:30 local time AEST)
10:30: BBC Radio 2 — Ken Bruce (09:30 local time) – Eurovision 2020 Compilation Album will be the Album of The Week
12:50: RÚV — Eurovision 2009 in Moscow (10:50 local time)
14:00: YLE TV2 — Eurovision Diaries (15:00 local time)
18:24: YLE TV2 — Eurovision Diaries (19:24 local time)
18:57: KAN — Dare To Dream – Chapter 1. Dreamers (19:57 local time)
22:35: RTÉ One — Dana: The Original Derry Girl (21:35 local time)
22:50: RAI Premium — Eurovision 2017
23:45: BBC One Northern Ireland — Dana: The Original Derry Girl (22:45 local time)
Will you watch any of the shows tonight? Which one has caught your eye? Let us know in the comments.
Read our complete week-long Eurovision 2020 replacement shows guide.
to be honest, these are all good but I just feel sad. I can’t wait for this sad week to be over with. Knowing this would be ESC week makes it even harder. Looking forward to having ESC was the one highlight getting me through these times, and now we don’t get that:(
So can’t wait for this week to be over and start looking forward to next year and hoping for ESC 2021..
The Newsbeat documentary on BBC iPlayer is quite moving. It clearly means a great deal to James. I’m sure they’ll ask him to represent the UK again on Saturday night (they’d be mad not to).