Eurovision Song Contest: 'Eurovision Canada' edition under way for 2023

Monday, 25 April 2022

• The Eurovision brand is expanding to Canada, as plans for the first 'Eurovision Canada' edition are under way for 2023. 

  The Eurovision brand continues its North American expansion. Leading Canadian producer Insight Productions, a Boat Rocker company, has teamed with Eurovision Canada rights owners and ASC, Inc., one of the companies behind NBC’s music reality competition series American Song Contest, to debut the first-ever Eurovision Canada in 2023.

  Artists from each of the 10 provinces and three territories, representing every musical genre imaginable, will compete with all new original songs live on Eurovision Canada. 

  The move follows the recent appointment of Greg Lipstone as President and COO of ASC, Inc., joining producers Anders Lenhoff, Christer Björkman, Ola Melzig and Peter Settman in their expansion efforts, including launching local versions of the show in territories that are not covered by the Eurovision Song Contest. In Canada, they will work with Insight’s CEO & Chairman John Brunton and Eurovision Canada showrunner Lindsay Cox, also of Insight.

  Such expansion doesn't come as a surprise if we take in mind how many worldwide popular songs have been created or performed by Canadian acts. Namely, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robbie Robertson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Gordon Lightfoot, k.d. lang, Sarah McLachlan, The Tragically Hip, and Shania Twain,  Justin Bieber, Drake, and The Weeknd are just some of the internationally acclaimed super stars that have contributes in the world's music industry. 

  Not to mention Céline Dion from Charlemagne, won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Switzerland with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.

  The format is expected to feature several artists as provincial/territorial representatives in a series of televised qualifying rounds leading to semifinals and a Grand final show, quite similar to the American Song Contest format. 

  Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, commented:

  ‘The Eurovision Song Contest’s unique legacy dates back 67 years and its worldwide popularity continues to grow. It is time for Canada to join the party and become a player in this worldwide spectacle. The love of music is universal and the celebration of music’s different genres and styles transcends boundaries, uniting people in a way that no other art form can. We are excited to have found the best partners to offer another version of this joyful phenomenon to new fans and to share this remarkable competition with the Canadian people.

  Lindsay Cox, Showrunner at Insight Productions added:

  'The phenomenal song-writing and extraordinary musicianship in this country can stand against any in the world which is why Canada is the perfect home for the next iteration of the Eurovision Song Contest. We’re so honoured to partner with the Eurovision team to showcase the immense musical talent from every corner of our nation and for Canadian viewers to become a part of this global phenomenon. Eurovision Canada will combine two forces that have always brought our nation together: fantastic music and a live event spectacle.’

  More news on the Canandian version of the Eurovision Song Contest are expected over the coming weeks and months. 

  News Source: Eurovision.tv / Deadline.com

  Image: learnenglish.britishcouncil.org