EUROVISION: BBC REVEALS COVERAGE PLANS FOR SEMI-FINALS
Rylan and Scott Mills will be Live from Malmö, Sweden, for the two semi-finals of the world's biggest music competition. The semi finals will air on Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th May on BBC One.
In the first semi-final Olly Alexander, the UK’s representative, takes to the Eurovision stage for his first live performance of “Dizzy’. In a Eurovision first, the “Big Five”: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and last year’s winner Sweden, will also be showcasing their songs in the semi-finals ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday.
As a member of the “Big Five” Olly is already guaranteed a place in the Grand Final, but this is a chance for fans to catch their first look at Olly Alexander’s Eurovision vision. UK viewers will also get the chance to vote for their favourites to go forward to Saturday’s Grand Final.
Some of the acts competing in the first semi-final include Finland’s Windows95Man – a comedic 90’s throwback act with No Rules!, Baby Lasagna, an early favourite representing Croatia, and Bambie Thug, who hopes to be Ireland’s first qualifier since 2018 with a song they describe as ‘ouija-pop’, a mix of pop, rock and electronica and more.
Highlights for the second semi-final include early favourite Nemo for Switzerland with their song ‘The Code’; Austria’s Kaleen, with her 90’s-inspired dance anthem ‘We Will Rave’, and Joost Klein for the Netherlands, whose viral hit ‘EuroPapa’ has already broken all streaming records in his home country.
Audiences in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and non-participating countries grouped in a 'Rest of the World' category will be able to vote in this Semi-Final, along with audiences from the participating countries.
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted by Hollywood star Malin Åkerman and comedian and two-time Eurovision host Petra Mede, live from Malmö Arena.
Following Loreen’s victory in Liverpool last year with her song Tattoo, Sweden take over the hosting duties for the seventh time. Coincidentally, this year also marks the fifty year anniversary of ABBA’s first iconic win for Sweden with Waterloo.