EUROVISION: BBC UNVEILS FULL COVERAGE PLANS, PLUS PRESENTER PORTRAITS

This year's Eurovision Song Contest promises to be unlike any other for audiences in the UK with an array of captivating content set to air right across the BBC.

For the first time since 1998, the United Kingdom will play host to the 2023 contest and will do so on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine who are unable to host due to the ongoing war. This year marks the 67th edition of the competition as 37 countries compete for the coveted, life changing trophy.

With both Semi-Finals and the Grand Final broadcasting live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for the first time ever, the BBC will also deliver wall to wall entertainment for new and existing fans with a raft of additional programming across TV, BBC iPlayer, radio, BBC Sounds and online to celebrate the world’s biggest music show.

Highlights include The One Show and BBC Breakfast broadcasting live from Liverpool all week; Radio 2 will become the home of Eurovision on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds with programmes building excitement throughout the week.

Scott Mills and Rylan bring their sharp witted commentary to the network for the Grand Final with Paddy O’ Connell on duty for the Semi-Finals as Radio 2 broadcast these all important qualifiers for the first time ever. There will be a legendary Eurovision figure making an appearance in Albert Square; scouse commentary courtesy of BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Three takes audiences back to last year’s nail-biting Grand Final in Turin.

Both Semi-Finals broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer will be presented by Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham with Eurovision legend Graham Norton joining the musical trio on stage for the Grand Final. Rylan and Scott Mills will provide commentary for audiences on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for both Semi-Finals, with Mel Giedroyc and Graham stepping into the commentary box for the Grand Final.

The live shows will also feature specially commissioned films and electrifying performances from music icons such as Rita Ora, 2022 Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra, the UK’s out of this world 2022 star Sam Ryder, Liverpool’s very own Rebecca Ferguson, 2010 Ukrainian entry Alyosha, icons of Eurovision and many, many more.

Kate Phillips, BBC Director of Unscripted said: “We couldn't be more proud and excited to give our audiences such a huge array of world class Eurovision content. It's an honour for the BBC to host the show on behalf of Ukraine, and we're committed to do them proud. The level of collaboration and coordination across so much of the output is truly amazing. Let the Eurovision Song Contest begin!”

Representing the United Kingdom in the 2023 Grand Final will be singer-songwriter Mae Muller with her track ‘I Wrote A Song’. Following a random draw for hosts United Kingdom and Ukraine, Mae will be closing the show in 26th position whilst Ukraine’s entry Tvorchi with their song ‘Heart of Steel’ will perform in 19th position in the Grand Final itself. The remainder of the running order of the Grand Final will be determined once the Semi-Finals are concluded.

The result of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will be decided by juries and viewers watching at home. Votes will come from a jury of five music professionals in each of the 37 countries taking part as well as from the audience, which for the first time will include non-competing ‘rest of the world’ countries.

After audiences have cast their Grand Final votes, each national spokesperson from the 37 participating countries will present the points of their professional jury live to the world.

After the presentation of the scores from the juries, the televoting points from all participating countries, and for the first time the rest of the world, will be combined – providing one score for each song. These televoting results will then be announced by the hosts building towards a dramatic climax as the winner of Eurovision 2023 is announced.

The Grand Final and both Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be produced by BBC Studios.