The BBC has started discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on potentially hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom, if 2022 winners Ukraine are not able to. The country won the singing competition back in May with the song 'Stefania' from the Kalush Orchestra.
Every year the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest becomes the host for the competition in the following year, as long as a particular set of criteria can be met, such as ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders and the public. But due to the ongoing war taking place following Russia's invasion, Ukraine remains unlikely to be to host the show next year.
The EBU has said it has been considering options for where to host next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC. Since the show is one of the largest TV productions in the world with thousands attending and working behind-the-scenes, the event needs 12 months of preparation in advance.
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On hosting of 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU posted the following statement today on Twitter: "Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed."
It added: "Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.
"The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine.
"The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.
"As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom. It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts."
The UK came runners-up to Ukraine this year as Sam Ryder wowed the audiences with his song 'Space Man'. The 32-year-old was recently asked whether he would be willing to give it another try next year and said: “I just want more people to experience it…The more people that do, the more it will become engrained in the UK’s attitude that Eurovision is something that we are so lucky to have.”
Ukraine joined the international contest in 2003 and its three wins make it one of the most successful of the newer competitor countries - having also triumphed in 2004 and 2016.
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