🇬🇧 BBC reveals partnership with TaP Music for Eurovision 2022 entry

British national broadcaster BBC revealed a change in approach to finding their entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. For the 2022 Contest, the broadcaster will partner with TaP Music to prepare for the UK’s participation in Turin.

New partner, new approach

The announcement from the BBC came as the collaboration with another record label – BMG Music – ended in a last place finish with James Newman in 2021. As a result, the broadcaster changed partners with TaP, a major global management company responsible for acclaimed artists Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa.

Speaking about the opportunity to work with the BBC to produce the UK’s Eurovision entry, Ben Hawson from TaP Music said:

“We’re really excited to be teaming up with the BBC for this event and will use Eurovision to authentically reflect and celebrate the rich, diverse and world-class musical talent the UK is globally renowned for.”

Ben Hawson, TaP Music

Dua Lipa herself also said she was supporting the change in format for the UK, stating in The Sun:

 “I’m a proud Brit whilst also being a proud Kosovan… I’m happy to lend my manager to the cause… I’ll be cheering them on.”

Dua Lipa

Embrace modernity

The choice to undergo the change in the UK’s system for Eurovision in Turin also comes as viewing figures showed 7.8 million people tuned into watch the Contest in 2021. These figures made the 2021 Contest the most watched final in the UK since 2014. In addition, 1.5 million of those tuning in were in the 16-34 demographic, making Eurovision one of the most popular shows on the BBC.

A notable shift in the direction from the BBC is to focus on the quality of the song instead of focusing on the final placing on the night.

Mr. Hawson also said that the British public also needs to pull away from blaming poor results on politics. Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, he said:

“I think our conclusion was [Eurovision] is not as political as people think,” he said. “And I think we should focus on getting some really special music and a really special artist that represents Britain in the best possible way.”

Ben Hawson, TaP Music

As of now, no decision has been made on the singer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin. However, TaP have stressed they want to make Eurovision “a really positive experience” for the selected artist.

The UK’s history at Eurovision

Despite a recent slump in results, the UK is one of the most successful countries at the Eurovision Song Contest. Debuting at the second edition ever of the Contest in 1957, the United Kingdom has won the competition on five separate occasions. The most recent win for the UK was in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves, singing “Love Shine A Light”. The UK also holds the record for the number of second place finishes – currently at 15.

In 2021, the UK was represented by James Newman with his song “Embers”. However, the performance failed to impress juries or televoters, finishing in last place with zero points.

What do you make of this new collaboration for the BBC? Will the UK have a better chance at winning the Contest? Who would you like to see represent the UK? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ over at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

News Source: BBC

Picture Credit: EBU / Thomas Hasnes