Liverpool should prepare itself for “profound” change when it hosts next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, according to BBC Director General Tim Davie.
The head of the BBC was in Liverpool yesterday [Friday] meeting the team behind Liverpool's successful bid as plans quickly begin to take shape for next year’s showcase event. A week ago it was confirmed that Liverpool had edged out Glasgow to be host city for the contest - which is being held in the UK on behalf of Ukraine.
Asked about what got Liverpool over the line, Mr Davie said the joint judging panel, which included the European Broadcast Union (EBU), saw little between the two city’s “outstanding bids”, but Liverpool had the “marginal” edge. Mr Davie told the ECHO: “The soul of Liverpool, the history, this is a place that can rightly claim to be where pop music came from. There's an energy and a warmth, there's a character about this place which is also an important factor.”
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Mr Davie said one half of the decision is based on a “rational framework” but the second half considers the “cultural plan and the commitment of the city.” Liverpool’s bid includes a cultural programme which is set to run from April to the weekend of the event on 13 May, with street art and a range of artist exchanges celebrating Ukrainian culture.
Mr Davie added: “When you get into the final two you have got two outstanding bids, so the differences become marginal. We felt as a total package Liverpool was the best.”
Liverpool was still seen as an outsider by some in the latter stages of the bidding process, with near misses still fresh in the memory having seen the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Channel 4’s northern hub choose other cities. But the BBC did not see Liverpool as an “overlooked” destination when it came to choosing next year’s backdrop for the contest.
Mr Davie said: “We judged this on the merits in terms of the bid. What I would say is the power of these events can’t be underestimated. Birmingham for the Commonwealth game where the city felt alive the confidence of it, COP in Glasgow.
“Prepare yourself. The impact of this on a city's confidence, the amount of joy that people have, it's material. I'm very excited about what that brings to Liverpool. I think that's going to be profound.”
The BBC is also keen to ensure a lasting legacy is left on the city, with the impact of the event making its way to schools in the city and the wider Liverpool city region. However the potential cost to the city could not be confirmed at this stage, with the Director General saying it is “too early to give detailed costing.”
Projections suggest that the BBC is expected to spend between £8m and £17m on the event, but the broadcaster and host city will get “really good value out of the event”, according to the BBC boss. Asked about how he feels about Scouse culture, which contains some strands of anti-establishment feeling, being at the centre of the public service broadcast, he said he has “no concerns”.
He added: It's going to be a wonderful amalgamation of Ukrainian and scouse culture. I'm not concerned in the slightest.
“I think it's joyous. We're doing this on behalf of Ukraine. Take the warmth of the culture of the city, take its creative energies, its history - it's overwhelmingly positive.”
Commenting earlier this week, Minister for Sport, Arts and Ceremonials, Stuart Andrew, the coming 12 months “will be an unforgettable year for Liverpool.”
He said: “For decades we’ve had a front-row seat to the incredible creative energy of Liverpool, one of the world’s best-loved cultural cities, right at the heart of the UK.
“From The Beatles to Brookside, Anfield to Aintree, Liverpool has been at the forefront of contemporary culture and sporting success for years, attracting visitors the world over.
“Now confirmed by the BBC as the UK host for Eurovision 2023, on behalf of Ukraine, the stage is being set for a showcase of this city like no other.”
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