The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the UK in 2023, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC has officially confirmed.
The announcement that the UK will be the host country comes following the decision that next year’s event cannot be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons, despite the EBU having already explored a number of options with the winning broadcaster.
As a result of discussions, the BBC, as runner up in the 2022 Contest, was invited by the EBU to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
The 2023 contest will be hosted in the UK on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s UA:PBC.
“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.
“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions, and continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”
The BBC has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other broadcaster – hosting in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, Edinburgh in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982, and Birmingham in 1998.
It’s been confirmed that representatives from UA: PBC will work with the BBC to “develop and implement” the Ukrainian elements of next year’s show.
“It’s a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest,” added Tim Davie – Director-General of the BBC.
“Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.
“The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity, and the BBC will now begin the process to find a Host City to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”
The EBU has confirmed that next year’s host city will be chosen in the coming months following a bidding process, which is being launched this week.
Leeds has been named as one of the front-running cities to host the contest.
The dates for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Eurovision TV
