TikTok will be the official entertainment partner for the Eurovision Song Contest for a second year. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) selected the social media platform to livestream the competition as well as release exclusive performances and behind-the-scenes content.
It comes as the UK Parliament said that it would block the Chinese-owned app from its devices and networks over security concerns.
Martin Osterdahl, the EBU’s executive supervisor for Eurovision, said: “Millions of new Eurovision Song Contest fans discovered the event through TikTok last year and we know millions more will be excited by this year’s extra special event in Liverpool. Both the Eurovision Song Contest and TikTok provide an international platform for discovering fresh new music and artists and we look forward to working together in creating more huge hits in 2023.”
TikTok is also partnering with Visit Liverpool after the city was chosen to host the contest on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. The social media app will promote busking sites in the city and host performances in the Eurovision Village – the official fanzone on Friday May 12 from 6.30pm.
Susan Finnegan, Culture Liverpool commercial director, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with TikTok, showcasing our iconic city on a global stage and telling the authentic story of Liverpool through the eyes of visitors – the content creators.”
Rich Waterworth, TikTok general manager operations Europe, said: “We’ve seen Eurovision legends start their journeys on TikTok – like the UK’s Sam Ryder – and Eurovision songs thrive on the platform well beyond the contest itself, like Maneskin’s Zitti E Buoni. We can’t wait to see what Eurovision 2023 has in store.” Ryder, 33, was runner-up in 2022 to Ukrainian folk rap band Kalush Orchestra.
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TikTok is owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, which argues that it does not share data with Chinese authorities, although Beijing’s intelligence legislation requires firms to help the Communist Party when requested. Following the Government announcing earlier in the week it was banning TikTok from official devices, the House of Commons and Lords said it would also be barred across the Palace of Westminster.
TikTok called the move “misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions” about the company and said it is “disappointed” by not being “offered any opportunity to address concerns and only ask to be judged on facts and treated equally to our competitors”.
TikTok will livestream the two Eurovision semi-finals – on Tuesday May 9 and Thursday May 13 – as well as the grand final on Saturday May 13.
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