The BBC is still riding a high after hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. And it seems that execs are still feeling buoyed by the experience, after recording their largest-ever audience watching all three live shows on BBC One — its flagship channel.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the broadcaster formally confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. And it announced that it will once again air the semi-finals on BBC One, which they did for the first time in 2023.
You can read their full press release below.
United Kingdom: BBC One to air Eurovision 2024 semi-finals and grand final
BBC Studios will once again produce the BBC’s coverage of the biggest and most watched song competition in the world following the 67th Eurovision Song Contest which was hosted by the BBC in Liverpool, on behalf of Ukraine and produced by BBC Studios.
Following Loreen’s victory in Liverpool earlier this year with the song Tattoo, the 68th edition of the Contest will be taking place in Sweden, culminating in the Grand Final which will be broadcast live from Malmö Arena on Saturday 11 May 2024. This will be the seventh time Sweden hosts the Contest.
Last year, the largest audience on record watched the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK:
- Overall coverage of Eurovision across TV, Radio and Online increased in 2023 to a pan-BBC reach of 55% and 29.8M audiences (3 Min+ Reach).
- The Eurovision 2023 Grand Final averaged 10.7M, the biggest 28-day audience seen on current records (since 2002). The Grand Final evidently captivated audiences, whose desire to be a part of this momentous night drew a significant increase in viewing (BARB 28-Day 4-Screen).
- The Grand Final saw 2.0M young 16-34 audiences tuning in, making it one of the top programmes for young audiences on the BBC so far this year, and the highest young audience seen for Eurovision since 2011 (BARB 28-Day 4-Screen).
- There were also audience highs for the Semi-Finals which aired on BBC One for the first time, seeing the highest audiences seen on current records (2002) for both Semi Final 1 (2.6M) and Semi Final 2 (2.5M) (BARB 28-Day 4-Screen).
Further to this exception performance in 2023, all three live programmes – both Semi Finals and the Grand Final – will once again all be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2024.
In addition, the BBC today also confirms that the search for the 2024 act and song for the United Kingdom has taken place over the Summer, led by Lee Smithurst, Executive Producer BBC Studios alongside Will Wilkin, Commissioning Executive BBC Music.
Further information regarding the United Kingdom’s participation at the next Eurovision Song Contest – including the entry for 2024 – will be announced in due course.
Considering the diversity seen on British screens all across the beeb’s channels included, it’s frustrating and disappointed to see that since 2005 there’re been about three or four Eurovision acts that were not w h i t e. Otherwise one could see artists on the Eurovision stage that were non-w h ite only as backing vocals and dancers.
Someone has do something to acknowledge the problem and address it.
Representation matter! Colonial legacy should be recognized! Where is the UK Jeangu Maacroy?
I don’t agree at all. It should purely be decided on merit, and merit alone. You can’t chose an act simply because of their skin colour or ethnicity. That’s heading into really dangerous water. What do you suggest? One year a white singer, the next year a black singer, the next year an orientalist singer etc regardless of the song. It shouldn’t matter in this day and age the race of the artist and to say it’s the turn of a black singer is just ludicrous. We just need a great song and great singer regardless of what colour of… Read more »
Robbie, merit is all that is being asked for. You really think in 67 years, not one British Asian artist has been worthy? You think Josh Dubovie got there on merit? When was the last time a Scottish singer got a chance? I’m sorry, but there is a white anglo bias that needs to be removed ASAP.
Josh Dubovie got there because of a UK televote. I would love to see the BBC’s Asian Network find a candidate one year, but are they interested? I’ve never heard the contest even mentioned on that channel. No-one is stopping them from getting involved.
Televote is popularity, not merit. Also I myself would not be very interested in something that I have been excluded from for 67 years. Perhaps even ONE Asian performer could boost the conception. I could be totally wrong, but this is how it strikes me.
It was very nice to see TWO under represented groupings in the songwriting team on Space Man, though. Scottish. Asian. All in one man. See… it’s possible! More, please.
These are good points, most people forget that the songwriters matter as much as the performers. But I did watch Your Country Needs You 2010 and I think Dubovie did win on merit. The bar wasn’t high. Regarding a UK Jeangu Maacroy, I’m sure the BBC would love to get Michael Kiwanuka or Benjamin Clementine, but I’m equally sure they wouldn’t do it. That’s on them.
I don’t get your point at all I’m afraid. I couldn’t give a monkeys about race, nationality, sexuality etc and a singer should not be selected purely to tick some boxes. I’d be interested to see how many British Asians applied to represent the UK back in the SFE days – maybe lots, maybe none but I’m certain if they weren’t in the final 8 then it was because their song wasn’t selected and not because of their race.
Nobody is suggesting a singer be selected to tick boxes. Just that everybody gets a fair shake, and being white and English should not be an advantage.
Musical Youth for the UK please
Well, good news that the semis will be taken so seriously, but I was kind of hoping that by now they would not have to “search” for a contestant. That does not seem like a good sign.
How do you expect them to find someone without a selection process?
They shouldn’t need to find someone. There should be someone good enough who is ready and willing, as Voyager were for Australia. Ideally.
If what a former British act said recently is taken at face value, it looks like the beeeeeb’s tactic is to “approach” talent’s ma na ge m ent and then do whatever until an a gr eem ent is reached.
Now whatever “search” means, it’s better than a pathetic selection through a sort of “shady” “outsourcing” from a limited bunch of entries penned by Karlerl Le Bäur and the like.
I would Love to see Rebecca Bengridge, Suzy Alldwig or Robin Gare!!!
This is a good chance for UK to stable Eurovision’s success in the country, there’s always those who don’t like it and will mock it for whatever reason, but there’s history and and great results that just seem far away since the success started to slow down after 90s, but I’m sure with good and solid results we could see UK embrasing the contest in a good light! Good luck!
Like others have said, I hope the BBC do not belabour the announcement; last year was kinda unfair on Mae and because of the UK’s music industry there will always be speculation. Also, I’m really hoping they’ve selected something with substance/artistry, no more ‘Love Island soundtrack’ songs.
What UK needs is an artists or band that has managed to get critical approval and mainstream hits at the same time, in order to conquer the jury and the televote. How many and which ones fit this mold?
RAYE, Arctic Monkeys or Harry Styles? Critical acclaim and chart success very often don’t go hand in hand.
WE NEED TIA KOFI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On a side note, Lithuania also announced its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. It was confirmed that the PIN format will continue, and these are the major points: There are no longer Heats, as the pre-Final shows now are titled as Semi-Finals; There are going to be no more than 5 Semi-Finals, and no less than 20 entries; During the Semi-Finals the voting system remains unchanged: 50/50, with the jury vote in case of a tie being the decisive vote; €1,500 grants for artists to prepare the audio and staging remain in place; Only citizens of the Republic… Read more »
Thank you for providing this information!! It looks like it’s the same as in the past with the exception of the superfinal you mentioned. The only way is up for Lithuania!!
So they’re taking a cue from Estonia to do a super final? We’ll see how that goes. You do know that the national final is no longer called PIN right? It’s now Eurovizija.LT. But that doesn’t mean they’re going backwards. It was after a name change that you guys started to do a lot better.
Let’s hope 2024 is the year the Lithuania can defeat the four curse (where they don’t do well/qualify in any competing year ending in four) make it to the final.
Unfortunately, yes, LRT indeed ditched the already established title of PIN, which introduced us to THE ROOP, Monique, Monika Marija, Monika Liu, etc. I mean, who would have thought ditching it and making a clone project as random as “EUROVISION.LT” was in any way a good idea? I’m keeping my hopes, but I think the quality may shrink despite the good changes it has invented. On a side note, I’ve always been fascinated with countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Albania for keeping their contest running for as long as 50 years. And we keep changing the formats every 5… Read more »
What’s going on with your government at the moment? Why do you think that has influenced the national final change? It could end up bad, but what if it does end up better. I think it’s gonna depend on what you’re going to get for entries. I hope it doesn’t slide backwards in quality.
Nothing changed. There was a contest for a new CEO, but the current one won. I think Eurovizija.LT was the actual name for rebranding since the beginning, they were just testing the waters with PIN (a more local name to warm up the viewers). I truly believe this will bring great changes to the selection. It has been improving every year, the feedback was great and I don’t see any reason why it would go downhill from this point.
Hopefully things will go up.
Why not go with an established artist?
No, not like Bonnie Tyler but someone current. I feel like BBC are stuck with thinking ” its a platform for newcomers and beginning of their career”.
But why not see it as part of a career, or continuation of it? If a established artist has a really good song then why not go with it?
Who would you suggest? Oh, how I’d love Charli XCX. Or Marina.
Or grime? Get Stormzy on there.
Or bands. The 1975? Royal Blood? Muse?
Dizzee Rascal is talented and a lot of fun. I think Stormzy is too big of an ask. His management and label would probably frown. I’d rule out Muse because of the no live instruments rule. Matt Healy does not seem to be the most together of people, I can’t see him abiding my a rigid timetable of interviews and rehearsals… so that rules out 1975.
Arlo Parks would be great!
Actually I want to change my answer. Self Esteem all the way! She could seriously win. Also not a bit snobbish about being too cool for it.
Shirley Bassey or a similar newcomer
Established artists in the UK won’t touch Eurovision.
Rita Ora touched it. Okay, just as an interval act, but contact was made.
Unless they have a new album to promote
Mabel!
Mabel does not have a quarter of the charisma of her mother.
She’s yet another Nepo Baby
She is a good artist on her own though. Yes she is nepo baby but she has talent
Why not? Because, as Kevin Bishop commented, it’s next to impossible to find someone established who will have the time to take on the demands of modern Eurovision. It won’t be like anything they’ve had to do before. Can you imagine Kate Bush agreeing to a national final, pre-parties, rehearsals. press conferences and fan media? We might as well wait for Maurice Chevalier.
UK and their jury’s 12 points to Swedeeeen!!
beeb: are they s***ing up to the Swedes and have their show broadcast for a wider audience or do they want to s*** up to the Swedes and bring a big name like they did in 2009 with ALW?
Hopefully they’ll have a better artist than someone “performing” while out of breath whose pinnacle moment otherwise was to s**** to n g u e out while being egged on by HMTK. Bye!!
I suggest that you never watch the contest again.
Just realised that my tablet saved ::: as name oops, I didn’t want to comment as ::: anymore lol
I Sugest You To Be Deported To Northern Sweden And Atw By Raindeers
The far right girl again. I already missed you!
I Didnt Miss You . Why Are Uoh Bullying Uno Sparkle
Tell me: Where did I bully the? We just don’t negativity in the community.
Ellie Goulding performed Barbara Pravi’s 2021 song recently, perhaps a clue. Perhaps not.
She Is Washed Up , Perfect To Be UK Representive .
Dude, you’re always hating on some artist on every and each article, get a life!
of course
hating is good
But didn’t she sneer at the contest this year, saying “We’re not even in Europe anymore”?
No, you dreamt that.
I doubt she even knows it’s a Eurovision song… there’s a Voila cover by a 15-year-old Dutch girl that went viral in the past few months. That’s probably why she gave it a try.
Off-topic, but we have some official news from Lithuania. Selection no longer called Pabandom iš naujo, renamed to simply “Eurovizija.LT”. Public vote now is now decisive, not the jury.
I’m glad they corrected the mistakes from last year, fans complained about jury being tiebreaker
Ruta Mur would have won!
“Pabandom iš naujo” was such a delightful name, and “eurovizija.lt” is so bland. What an awful downgrade.
Hopefully the changes are made for the better, not the worst. To be honest, I’m a little nervous for lithuania Competing next year because I have noticed they’ve never done well in a year ending in four. 1994 (their debut year): last place with zero points 2004: didn’t qualify 2014: didn’t qualify Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat in 2024 and Lithuania could have their longest qualification streak yet. I admit I was a bit thrown off by the new national final name change, but then I remember that the last time they changed it along with the format, the roop… Read more »
Eh, I’m pretty optimistic about Lithuania; sure, they could pick a dud, but I think the list of solid potentials just from previous national finals is deep. Adding a public-vote superfinal seems like a reasonable-enough tweak.
My hope is that their NF still has a ton of songs and goes on forever, with enough pointless middle rounds that contests can fiddle with their songs, perform in clown makeup, etc.
contestants*
I’m predicting someone like Callum Scott, he sits on the peripheries of popularity (he has a strong following but not such a mega start he would cost too much), he sings well live, has a warm personality and writes his own stuff. I can imagine the BBC liking his middle of the road appeal. A real tenuous link but I remember he had a couple of songs out last spring that were exactly 3 minutes long. He is also with Capitol Records who also have ABBA, Duncan Laurence and Barbara Pravi. I like him, I’m not saying its the best… Read more »
He has a great voice too and has had chart success with some very underrated songs. I would support him. He’d be good live. Just give him a good song.
“Middle of the road” does not sound like a recipe for success in this contest
Precis.
Not saying that’s what I want, more an opinion it’s what the BBC would go for.
Then again we have had people who literally came from nowhere and then made a name for themselves at Eurovision.
It seems to work for Sweden
Sweden is always the middlest of the middlest of the road, basically copy pasting their songs from one year to the next & look at the results they always get!!….. Already 8 victories, almost always in the TOP10 & a guaranteed 100/150 point advance every year… Middle of the road seems to be paying well for them! 😉
How can you say that? Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep would definitely have won in 1971
Actually one of their members, Rikki Peebles, went on to represent UK in 1987 with the scary Only The Light. And I think Chirpy might have been later than 1971.
His current song At your worst is wonderful. It has elements of Police every breath you take and similar to that of Denmarks entry in a moment like this. Feel good song. I still think Sophie Ellis Bextor is in the frame and Jessie Ware. I think BBC should whisper in the ear of RuPaul as well
Has RuPaul any musical talent? I know there are other versions of Drag Race around the world. Maybe Australia will nab her first. If the fee is large enough, she’d probably say yes.
check out supermodel (work) and back to my roots. Big hits on billboard hot 100 in the 90’s. Whoever writes with her creates catchy hits even now
Not bad, suprisingly good even. I never knew about her chart success!
I heard that the artist might be Harry Kane.
In my opinion it’s a shocking decision – why choose a football player instead of a real singer?
I heard Liz Truss.
Liz(zo)
She could be part of the interval act ABBA tribute and do Money Money Money and thank the UK taxpayer at the end
It’s a Tory’s world…
That’s Rich!
It’s Boris Johnson I heard
Would be nice if it was Rina but personally I’d love to see a song in another UK language, could send Katherine Jenkins with a song in Welsh
I would like to see Paris Paloma go, she’s artsy and unique and had actual chart success
Sounds like the BBC already have the song and artist, which for them is very early. Hopefully it’ll be something amazing then. Also hoping they announce the artist sooner unlike other years when they announce them as late as possible. Last year, all the rumours and speculation about Rina, Mimi, Freya, Birdy etc got way out of hand. Nip that in the bud and get the name out there. Plus, it gives us an oppourtunity to check out the artist’s back catalogue while we wait for the song lile we did when Mustii was announced for Belgium.
I agree, the reception to Mae was positive and people really liked the song, but it did have to go up against the disappointment that it wasn’t Rina (which is nothing about Mae not comparing to her, most artists would have been seen as a disappointment compared to her in Eurofans eyes)
Don’t let the rumours swirl, it was different before when hope felt like a dangerous thing for UK Eurofans to have, but post-Sam Ryder there are expectations on the U.K.
Everyone was disappointed because Mae couldn’t sing a note in tune. Most people didn’t know Sam Ryder but were impressed when they heard him perform.
Mae can sing just not under the pressure Eurovision brings.
What good is that then?
I first found out about Sam Ryder a few months before ESC 2022 as Rubbish Monster (the champ elect) covered Tiny Riot in masked Singer Germany. I’m British, but Germany long had interest in British male songwriters. I only knew that he was a TikTok phenomena closer to Space Man being rumoured as our entry.
It’s interesting though…as soon as the song dropped it became a BIG hit over here.
Loved the song – still do – but hated the live vocal.
Couldn’t vote for her after hearing it live and I believe I was not alone in thinking that. I maintain that it’s a great pop song though.
The song wasn’t a big hit at all it isn’t Silver in the UK and 7-8 months has passed.
Absolutely! The UK tends to go for a new/up-and-coming artist, so it’s unfair pressure on them to stack them against rumours of more notorious singers. Better to get the name of the selected candidate out sooner rather than later!
Let’s hope the person can sing live Another decent song like sam was