🇬🇧 BBC Confirms Commissioner for Eurovision 2023, Begins to Seek Production Teams

On 28 September, BBC Entertainment announced several new hires to their commissioning team, including naming Rachel Ashdown as the lead commissioner for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in the UK this May. Ashdown was initially named to the Head of Delegation Reference Group in 2018. She has also served as a producer on I Can See Your Voice UK.

Seeking production companies for programs

The BBC had also previously opened applications for a production company to conduct the insignia handover and allocation draw, to be held in the host city (at the time of writing either Glasgow or Liverpool) in early 2023. In the announcement, the BBC said that “the Insignia Handover and Allocation Draw traditionally marks the start of the Eurovision season and will be the first opportunity for our host city to show the world what awaits them in 2023, while also revealing which of the semi-finals the participating broadcasters will compete in.” These applications closed on 29th September, and a successful shortlist will be contacted on 7th October.

The United Kingdom will host Eurovision 2023

Following Ukraine’s win with “Stefania” at the 2022 contest, it was announced that the United Kingdom would host the 2023 edition due to the ongoing Russian invasion. The BBC intends to involve Ukraine and Ukrainian culture in the hosting as much as possible; some fans speculate that longtime commentator and veteran ESC and JESC host Timur Miroshnychenko may be a possible host for the contest. Currently, the BBC has shortlisted Glasgow and Liverpool as the two potential host cities, with an official announcement likely to come sometime in October.

The United Kingdom’s Eurovision History

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 16.

What did you think of this update about the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest? What would you like to see the BBC do for the latest edition? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!

News Source: BBC

Photo Credit: eurovision.tv archives