The BBC have unveiled their full content offering for Eurovision 2023.
As Liverpool and the United Kingdom gears up to host the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest this May, the BBC have unveiled their full content offering for this years contest, as well as providing more in depth information about all three live shows.
Kate Phillips, BBC Director of Unscripted has 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!”
Eurovision 2023: three live shows
The two semi finals and the grand final of Eurovision 2023 will be broadcast live on BBC One from 20:00 GMT. This marks the first time that the semi finals will be broadcast on BBC One.
The two semi finals on May 9th and May 11th will be hosted by Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina. Scott Mills and Rylan will be providing semi final commentary for the BBC whilst Timur Miroshnychenko will be providing commentary for the Ukrainian broadcaster.
The grand final on May 13th will be hosted by Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham, Julia Sanina and Graham Norton, who will also be sharing commentating duties for the BBC with Mel Giedroyc.
Semi final 1: Tuesday 9th May 2023
The first semi final of Eurovision 2023 will open with a film celebrating host city Liverpool and the welcome given to Ukraine. Audiences will have the chance to see a young Liverpudlian boy travelling across the city as he tells his family, friends, neighbours (and some special guests) that the world’s greatest music competition is arriving in his hometown.
The film will take us in to arena, where it ends with host Julia Sanina performing “Маяк” (Lighthouse) by her band, The Hardkiss. Her performance, which forms part of what will be an incredibly powerful opening act, will symbolise in many ways how the United Kingdom is United By Music with Ukraine through the hosting of Eurovision 2023.
The interval act of semi final 1 sees global superstar Rita Ora will perform a medley of some of biggets hits ahead of the premier of her brand new single, “Praising You”. In addition to this, Ukraine’s Eurovision 2010 representative Alyosha and Liverpudlian singer-songwriter Rebecca Ferguson will perform a haunting arrangement of “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran.
This performance has been creatively led and produced by Freckled Sky and TRI.Direction, in partnership with BBC Studios and UA:PBC. The two singers will tell a story of hope, courage, and support for the people of Ukraine from across the world.
The show will also see Timur Myroshnychenko bringing audiences highlights from the opening ceremony, as well as a fun VT featuring Måns Zelmerlöw and Filomena Cautela going head to head in a game testing their Eurovision knowledge.
Semi final 2: Thursday 11th May 2023
Semi final 2 will open with a recap of events from semi final 1, before audiences will be treated to an impassioned spoken word piece, which will powerfully take everyone through the history of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The interval act will include Music Unites Generations, which will explore the connection
between generations of Ukrainians and the music they love. Ukraine’s Eurovision 2014 act Mariya Yaremchuk will lead a contemporary montage of some of the most well-known pieces of music from Ukraine.
As the piece travels through time, it will eventually end with collaborative performance from rapper OTOY, Ukriaine’s Junior Eurovision 2022 representative Zlata Dziunka, and Mariya. Together, they will show that for generations of Ukrainians, music is the light that overcomes darkness.
Be Who You Wanna Be will also feature as part of the interval act, and will celebrate how Eurovision is a place for everyone, no matter who you are. Three extraordinary drag performers will lead into a jawdropping routine of high-end pop performances along with a troupe of eclectic dancers, representing the huge spectrum of fans.
Viewers will also have the chance to see Graham Norton and Timur Miroshnychenko check in with the hosts live on stage, and discuss the excitement for the grand final on Saturday.
Grand final: Saturday 13th May 2023
The grand final of Eurovision 2023 will open with reigning champions Kalush Orchestra, who will treat us to a powerful performance of Voices Of A New Generation, as well as their winning entry “Stefania”.
During the flag parade, viewers will be treated to a unique performance by past Ukrainian Eurovision representatives. Go_A, Jamala, Tina Karol, and Verka Serducha will put a new twist on their Eurovision entries that will be weaved with British classics
The first of the interval acts sees last years jury winner and runner-up Sam Ryder performing. The final part of the interval act sees Netta, Mahmood, Daði Freyr, Duncan Laurence, Cornelia Jakobs and Sonia coming together for The Liverpool Songbook, a celebration of the host city’s incredible contribution to the world of pop music.
The final will also see various films being featured, including a look back to the most recent Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Armenia last December, and another film that reinforces what is at stake for this year’s grand final contestants, as audiences witness how the contest continues to create the world’s musical mega-stars.
Are you excited for Eurovision 2023 this May? Which shows are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
