United Kingdom: This is BBC's alternative Eurovision 2020 program

United Kingdom: This is BBC's alternative Eurovision 2020 program
Saturday, 02 May 2020

  • The BBC has planned a number of  special shows that will be hitting the screen for the British audience, unwiding  an extensive program this month in the place of the cancelled Eurovision 2020 shows. 

    The British broadcaster will be broadcasting a special show presented by Graham Norton and line up of shows from May 11 and up to May 16. The BBC’s alternative program included the following:

     

     

     

    • 11/05/2020- Dana The Original Derry Girl (BBC One Northern Ireland- 22:45 BST)
    • 15/05/2020- Eurovision at 60 (BBC Four- 21:30 BST)
    • 15/05/2020- Dana The Original Derry Girl ( BBC Four – 23:00 BST)
    • 16/05/2020- Eurovision Come Together  (BBC One – 18:30 BST)
    • 16/05/2020- Eurovision: Europe Shine A  Light (BBC One- 20:00 BST)
    • 16/05/2020- The A-Z of Eurovision (BBC Two- 22:00 BST)
    • 16/05/2020- Top2 goes to Eurovision (BBC Two- 22:30 BST)

    Graham Norton says:

    Eurovision offers a real escapism for people, which is something we need more than ever throughout these times. This year people at home can celebrate the amazing spirit of the event and hopefully get the chance to take their mind off the current situation for a few hours.

     

    Eurovision at 60 (BBC Four)

    BBC Four want to give a hand to convey the Eurovision Party – feeling spotlighting the joy, craziness and intrigue that has defined the Eurovision Song Contest, through a show to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest’s 60th anniversary back in 2015.

     

    Eurovision- Come Together 

    A special Eurovision show ‘Eurovision- Come Together‘ will be aired on BBC One and hosted by Graham Norton on Saturday 16 May. The show will feature classic Eurovision performances, entertaining interviews, including this year’s British hopeful James Newman aiming to connect the people with the Eurovision spirit that would have seen that days before the cancellation. The Brits will have the chance to vote for their favorite entries from a selective list compiled by experts and outstanding personalities of the fan community.

     

    Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light (BBC One)

    The British broadcaster joins the rest 45 national broadcasters that will be broadcasting the special show ‘Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light’ set for May 16. The show is co-produced by EBU and the three Dutch Eurovision 2020 host broadcasters (AVROTROS, NOS, NPO) and is aiming to honor the 41 ESC 2020 representatives that were deprived the chance to perform in Rotterdam due to the coronavirus outbreak. Several past ESC winners have been confirmed to take part in the show among which , Katrina and the Waves (UK 1997) , Helena Paparizou (Greece 2005) and Marija Serifovic ( Serbia 2007) .

    The show will be hosted by Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit . 

     

    The A-Z of Eurovision (BBC Two)

    Rylan Clark-Neal will present to the British audience a  compilation of highlights from BBC Studios taking a look at the contest from an alternative point of view.

    Passing through the alphabet, each letter will be standing for a different highlight of the contest, either a moment or an act.  The A-Z of Eurovision will feature all the memorable musical moments from the  Eurovision in its 65 years of history.

     

    TOP2 Goes Eurovision (BBC Two)

    Steve Wright will be presenting  a special Eurovision-themed edition of the show, which was aired initially ahead of the ESC 2007, during which several songs of the ESC stars will be featured. Acts such as Cliff Richard, Lulu, Bucks Fizz, Sandie Shaw, Brotherhood of Man, Johnny Logan and ABBA, plus 2007’s UK entrants, Scooch. will be some of the show's highlights!

    The United Kingdom had internally selected James Newman to represent the country at the Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam with his entry My Last Breath.