On Tuesday the president of Spanish television claimed that the BBC will host Eurovision 2023 if Ukraine isn’t able to. On Wednesday Ukraine’s state broadcaster released a statement making it clear that consultations with the European Broadcasting Union are ongoing.
And now the world has heard from the EBU in a statement sent to the Metro newspaper in London.
Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine? EBU says discussions are ongoing
“We are still in discussions with the winning broadcaster of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, our Ukrainian Member UA:PBC, and other stakeholders to find the most appropriate setup for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.”
“The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world and clearly there are some unique challenges involved in hosting next year’s competition.”
“Due to the logistics of hosting an event of this size, we are undergoing a broad assessment process ahead of a decision being made shortly on the most suitable location for next year’s competition to guarantee the smooth running and continuity of the event.”
“We are discussing all the requirements for logistics, financing, capacity and, importantly, safety and security and hope to be able to find a solution that will deliver an event that has all the ingredients and excitement traditionally enjoyed by audiences worldwide.”
The emphasis on security is, of course, top-of-mind for everyone.
As we told you back on June 3, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Oleksandr Tkachenko believes that Ukraine is entitled to host the event…though he suggested the EBU may need to be flexible.
Speaking at the Ukraine Media Centre, he said: “We have no doubt that it should take place in Ukraine. The only thing is that no one has held Eurovision during the war.”
“We are now looking for answers with colleagues to the most important conditions set by the EBU, but I think we will have to explain that some conditions need to be changed.”
Those suggested changes will have been submitted along with their security questionnaire, which has already been handed over.
What do you make of the EBU statement? Will Ukraine be able to meet the requirements? What do you make of “the most suitable location”? Let us know what you’re thinking down below.
It’s official now: Ukraine will NOT host ESC 2023. EBU just released the statement.
Whilst I will be pleased for my home broadcaster the BBC to be in consideration, the reality of seeing this statement adds just another layer of sadness we feel about the Ukraine situation.
My prediction: UK will be the host and that´s definetely the best decision !
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I want Ukraine to host next year but it’s not logically or practically possible considering the current circumstances in the country.
If Bosnia had won in 1993, would we all be going to Sarajevo in 1994? Highly doubt it…
If Eurovision 2023 really takes place in Ukraine, the EBU will most probably suffer a lot of losses, as I am sure fewer people would like to risk their lives by attending the contest live (less tickets sold = less money for the EBU). Furthermore, some countries may decide to withdraw from the competition due to security issues. If the EBU does not reconsider this, then Ukraine’s victory this year and their hosting next year respectively might have been/be merely politically motivated.
Why it is being so much forced that Ukraine hosts it at any cost? And what, if the contest takes place even somewhere else Zelensky will come and give us a speech? Get the politics as far as possible from this contest.
If Ukraine can’t host it give it to other country and that’s it. They mostly didn’t even win because of the song, but because of solidarity.
I’m sorry, but it has to be said: National pride is getting away of logical thinking, and EBU doesn’t have the strength to say a clear ”no” in fear of appearing unsupportive in these times. I love Ukraine, and am rooting with all my heart for them to be victorious in the war, but Eurovision in Ukraine sounds extremely dangerous. EBU should do something about it, and just talk them out of hosting. It’s their right, but it’s also everyone else’s peril.
“EBU doesn’t have the strength to say a clear ”no” in fear of appearing unsupportive in these times”
This was my big worry too, thankfully the EBU has seen sense.
Do you really believe countries will be ok with sending their delegations to Ukraine with the current situation? And second thing, how many Eurovision fans will decide not to go due to security concerns? I see no scenario where Ukraine hosts next year, I am sorry.
I suspect the UK government and its biggest fan the BBC would be more than happy to organise the contest in Glasgow. Calls for Scottish independence are growing again and the Tory government would love to organise a huge event to sideline the Scottish government and promote the union. The idea of Ukraine hosting is unrealistic as long as Russia and Belarus are in a position to mount attacks. Even if a ceasefire is declared there is likely to he continued harassment from the southern Russian speaking regions. Moreover Putin has made it very clear he will not stop until… Read more »
My wild guess is that the contest will be held in the UK and the moment it will be announced Ukraine will proclaim they won’t participate since they are so offended by this (although the real reason would be that they won’t have money to participate).
Now seriously – does anyone really think Ukraine would be capable to host Eurovision? Not just next year, but even the year after that.
Ukraine should spend the money for the people of the country.
And security? You think Israel will allow the artists to go there?
And what kind of production we will see if they host it? Will it be full of Ukrainian propaganda?
And what kind of message will they send? The east part of the country occupied by Russians, while the west part parties?
Oh, man. This sounds like next year will have more issues (to put it into kind words) than this year :/
Everyone is speaking about the security issues (and with reasons for that) but… does anyone feel outraged by the fact that Ukraine will spend lots of money to organize the contest when there’s people without homes or dying in hospitals without help. And lets speak about the monetary help that Europe (governments and ordinary people) are giving to Ukraine….for what?To spend in a tv show? I hope EBU and Ukraine government have some respect for Ukrainian people!!!
The whole of Europe is facing a rising inflation right now. I’m sure the decision to host an expensive TV show like Eurovision in any country will be met with criticism anyway.
Host it in the UK and have Ukrainian and British interval acts. I’d love to see Sam Ryder, Kalush, Robbie Williams, Jamala, and Ruslana
Tchernobyl 2023. Russia will not take the risk to bomb the site.
There was a lack of a propper venue for the contest in 2017, and the only possible one was in Kiev, although it was told to be needing some updates.
My concern is that this takes a lot of funds from other important things that the country really is needing, I don’t want a glizzed up Eurovision being a country’s priority while a lot of things need to be rebuilt.
I would argue that hosting Eurovision is good for the country as it will serve as a positive advertisement for Ukraine and it can also bring in profits as well with the influx of tourists. Not to mention it helps to boost the local population morale.
It’s estimated that it hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild Ukraine by now. If every cent of funding needs to be redirected to rebuild the country for the next decade or so, then there would be no art and culture development in the country and that’s exactly what Putin wants.
Hosting Eurovision has been more profitable for countries that already have all the infrastructure ready, and as much as Ukranians want to experience cultural events, a ticket to any of the shows or other event organized alongside with it aren’t the most budget friendly.
Having it all happen in Ukraine would be good advertisement, but if it’s done with promotion rather than people in mind, does it serve Ukrainians all over the country or just the people who happen to live there where it’s all happening.
You think tourists are going to take the risk and visit Ukraine???
The televoters voted for ukraine knowing the contest is held at the destination of the winning country the following year.
You reap what you sow.
As true as this is, many casual viewers aren’t always aware of the fact that the winning country gets the right to host.
They see Eurovision as a three day event that comes along once a year, without checking out the other things that come with it.
Dude, casual viewers aren’t children that are unaware of that kind of stuff. You reap what you sow. Period.
I need to explain the rules to my family every year again
It was said weeks before the final that Ukraine wouldn’t be able to host if they won and there is no rule that says it must be held in the winning country. Ukraine could have said the day after winning they couldn’t host and that would be it but they are holding on
As much as we would love to see it staged in Ukraine; it’s not going to happen. The costs, the infrastructure, the security not to mention getting any insurance (this is a complex tv project with commercial contracts etc) are too challenging. Quite rightly the money should be used to help the victims of this war and rebuild Ukraine.
The most logical solution is stage it in the uk using the uk infrastructure but celebrate Ukraine music and culture etc.
Get Graham Norton, Mel Geldroyc and Timur to all host together etc
I have no problem with Eurovision held in a safe city within Ukrainian borders. Kyiv seems a little too deep into Ukrainian territory (as of now), so I believe UA:PBC and the Ukrainian government will propose Lviv as a potential host city.
Ukraine will need funding to roof the Arena Lviv if the EBU grants them the right to host. Next year’s contest will cost the big 5 a lot of money, whether it’s held in Ukraine or not.
There are no safe cities in Ukraine. Lviv has been bombed on multiple occasions already. And Russia likes to bomb western Ukrainian cities as a warning every time someone from Europe visits them (like today in Kyiv, just minutes after Macron and Scholtz arrived).
Kyiv is not in western Ukraine.
Far-western Ukraine is considerably safer than the rest of the country, you cannot deny a fact. If far-western Ukraine gets even safer over the summer I have no doubt Lviv will host.
I agree and I truly doubt that Putin would attack Eurovision considering around 40 delegations would be in attendance
Totally agree. Bombing the host city of Eurovision is like bombing the host city of the Olympics.
Nobody has done it before and nobody will do it in the future, simply because it would instantly start a world war.
That´s unfortunatly the bitter truth – ESC in Ukraine 2023 ? Never !
EBU, time to grow some… Stop dragging it, abd make the only sensible decision. Heck, even host it in Antarctica but move it away from war zones
The Donbas (and Crimea, years prior) was a war zone when Kyiv hosted in 2017.
Chechnya (and other Caucasus areas) was a war zone when Moscow hosted in 2009.
Kosovo was a hostile area when Belgrade hosted in 2008.
Kurdistan was a hostile area and the rest of Turkey had countless terrorist attacks from the PKK (and other groups) when Istanbul hosted in 2004.
Israel had several terrorism threats from Hamas when Tel Aviv hosted in 2019.
Safety concerns aren’t new to the EBU. Hosting in Ukraine will be the EBU’s biggest challenge ever though.
The Donb*s (and Cr*mea, years prior) was a war zone when Kyiv hosted in 2017.
Ch*chnya (and other Caucasus areas) was a war zone when Moscow hosted in 2009.
Kos*vo was a hostile area when Belgrade hosted in 2008.
Kurd*stan was a hostile area and the rest of Turkey had countless t*rrorist attacks from the P*K (and other groups) when Istanbul hosted in 2004.
Israel had several t*rrorism threats from H*mas when Tel Aviv hosted in 2019.
The clear difference that separates the current conflict with the instances you’ve listed is that none of those – to my knowledge – involved a full-scale military invasion on another sovereign state, at least not to the degree we’re witnessing with Ukraine. Israel in particular was the invader, not the invaded, so it’s hardly the same.
You’re right, this is a particularly unique situation for the EBU.
However, with far-western Ukraine being exceptionally safer than the Black Sea coast, Eastern oblasts or Kyiv, I think Lviv stands a huge chance at hosting. Logically, it can totally work if the EBU and big 5 are willing to fork out some extra funding.
The big difference is: none of these groups would even consider attacking 40+ delegations from all over Europe and Australia because they know it would hurt their cases. Therefore I never took those specific threats from Hamas seriously.
Putin, on the other hand, apparently doesn’t care much about consequences anymore.
The big difference is: none of these groups would even consider attacking 40+ delegations from all over Europe and Australia because they know it would hurt their cases. Therefore I never took those specific threats from H*mas seriously.
Putin, on the other hand, apparently doesn’t care much about consequences anymore.
It’s only June, a little over a month after the contest ended. A decision will be made much later once all proposals presented have been scrutinized.
Til then, let the winning broadcaster present their case in due process as it should.
The best scenario would be to host it in the UK and have the BBC and Suspilne cooperate in organizing it. Do what they did in 1972: even when they hosted it, they fully acknowledged Monaco’s win and had Severine on hand to pass the trophy on to her successor.
Have Ukrainian co-hosts, make the interval acts have something to do with Ukraine, etc. I just really don’t think it’s a good idea to host IN Ukraine at the moment (I’m almost positive the only people who think it is are Ukrainians, god bless ‘em), but obviously they won, they have every right to help organize the contest, and they deserve to be acknowledged as the incumbent winners. Hopefully if they keep sending entries as good as their last two, we’ll be headed for a Eurovision in a peaceful Ukraine in no time…just not in 2023.
This is a really good idea, I just think that Graham Norton and Timur Miroshnichenko should become the hosts of this contest.
Kalush Orchestra and Sam Ryder appear to be doing a collab ???
Those ??? were emojis
If only Wiwibloggs allowed us to edit comments again!
That would be so sick