Preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 are in full swing — and now the BBC’s top brass have blown into Liverpool to meet with key stakeholders.

The BBC’s General Director Tim Davie and Kate Phillips, its director of unscripted programming, met with members of the city’s bid team and officials from the M&S Bank Arena, which will host the contest. 

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Davie outlined some of the reasons why Liverpool won the host city bidding process.

 

“When you look at a bid you look across is the venue perfect, has the city got real commitment, has it got the legacy events in place, school programmes, all the things that go around a winning bid, and has it got fantastic people.”

“I think that was all there for Liverpool.”

“The other thing was there’s a soul to this place isn’t there, a warmth, a history, which I think also counts.”

He wouldn’t be drawn into details about the show. However, he did tease what will seem blindingly obvious to anyone who has attended Eurovision.

“I’m not going to give you too much because we’ve got a bit of work to do, but I think what you’ll see is a couple of things, one is the city itself coming alive.”

“This isn’t just about one event, of course we’ve got the semi-finals and all the things that are going on around it, but I think you’ll see a city come to life which is really inspiring.”

“I think you’ll see a kind of festival atmosphere across the period.”

“In the show itself it is a bit early and I’m not going to give away anything that we’re cooking up.”

He also re-iterated one very important point regarding Ukraine’s central role in the shows.

“One thing I would say is we’re doing this on behalf of Ukraine so it will absolutely be a programme and a show and a whole host of events where Ukraine and Liverpool are really in this together.”

“You meet people here and they’re fiercely proud of the win.”

“I think more than anything they want to put on a world-class event and bring more people close to Liverpool but also, for everyone in this region, to give them the party of their lives and then show that to millions, tens of millions of people across the world.”

Do you feel the excitement coming out of Liverpool? Why do you think Liverpool won? Let us know in the comments box below!

 

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Alex Rimmer
Alex Rimmer
1 year ago

Yet’s be honest here, I live in Liverpool, we have been chosen ahead of Glasgow because the UK Government is desperate. Anything that will show England solidarity with Ukraine rather than Scotland is required. The BBC was instructed by our Government, that Liverpool should win not Gladgow. In other words political interference.

Poppet
Poppet
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex Rimmer

Can you give us some reference facts that back this up??

Alex Rimmer
Alex Rimmer
1 year ago
Reply to  Poppet

No, just an assumption that a BBC Chairman, that had donated around £400,000 in 2021 (could be more now) to the Conservative Party. Might, if the UK Government asked him to, arrange that Liverpool won instead of Glasgow. Like all of my hunches, I could be wrong, strangely I seem to be getting most of them right at present. It must be because I am a logical thinker. The BBC chairman being Richard Sharp, a good friend of Boris Johnson.

CRAIG
CRAIG
1 year ago

The BBC have a rather fine line to walk here. Yes, the event is being held in the UK ‘on behalf of Ukraine’ but ultimately, it IS being held in the UK by the BBC and in large part funded by UK taxpayers through their licence fee. It’s going to be a big job to produce an event that meets everyones expectations in that regard.

Poppet
Poppet
1 year ago
Reply to  CRAIG

Are you aware how much it costs the BBC to produce a single episode of strictly? A single episode of casualty? A typical Saturday night of four hours entertainment costs the BBC millions. If they put the semi finals on BBC1 or 2 that’s 10 hours of live entertainment
I’m guessing it will cost a few bob more than this of course but it’s hardly going to bankrupt the UK

Euro fan 94
Euro fan 94
1 year ago

Nobody will be able to go and see it though with the totally nuts hotel prices of up to £10000 a night for a normally £90 a night hotel let’s remember the mayor of of Liverpool saying that Liverpudlians are a friendly and welcoming group of people. Airbnb,Vrbo, booking.com owners cancelling existing bookings and relisting at disgraceful prices. The other laughable quote considering this is “ this event should bring a much needed boost to businesses in Liverpool’s profits”

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
1 year ago

I’m so happy for Liverpool, a city I’m very fond of. I was a little worried they wouldn’t get it as their arena, capacity wise, is *slightly* smaller than usual, but I’m thinking what trumpted it was the whole connected complex, plenty of space for green room, back of house, press. I’m sure Glasgow would have been excellent too, and they have all that. I’m assuming it’s what ruled Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield out, not been to them all but assuming those buildings lack space around them for all that? Does that rule them out of ever getting the contest… Read more »

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

I just hope that all the artists participating this year are cognizant that they’re not going to win unless they’re representing one very specific country.

So don’t act surprised in the grand final when the score is revealed.

Nick
Nick
1 year ago

Can already predict a fixed win for Ukraine in 2023 with Sweden as runner up to ensure A) Present to the world how Ukraine has recovered in 2024 and B) If the war is still going on, Sweden and its rich broadcaster can host. Works well for the Scandi mafia running the festival into the ground.

George
1 year ago

Liverpool are a city of music. It’s in their soul. Probably from the mix of Irish and Welsh and it’s links to the world in general.

Luke B
Luke B
1 year ago

I strongly suspect it was their Ukrainian offering and evident passion that won out. Glasgow should have remembered the Tortoise and the Hare; just because you’re the frontrunner doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels. I’m very much looking forward to this unique and historic contest. The BBC is globally respected as a quality broadcaster, so they’ll do a fantastic production. All the signs so far are that they are throwing their all into it, and putting Ukraine front and centre.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Luke B

Putting Ukraine front and centre so that they win again in 2023

Luke B
Luke B
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Please that drama again.

Boozyfloozy69
Boozyfloozy69
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Every country that wins is front and centre when they host it the year after though… Your troll game is Crap.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

Involve UK in the show too, the contest needs to reflect both UK and Ukraine in respective manner.