Eurovision Song Contest on BBC1 & BBC iPlayer
For the first time since 1998, the United Kingdom will play host to the 2023 contest and will do so on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine who are unable to host due to the ongoing war.
This year marks the 67th edition of the competition as 37 countries compete. Both the Semi-Finals and the Grand Final will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for the first time ever.
Eurovision Semi-Final 1
8pm (BST), Tuesday 9th May 2023
The first group of countries who will compete for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final are: Azerbaijan, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland.
Eurovision Semi-Final 2
8pm (BST), Thursday 11 May 2023
The remaining 16 countries taking to the stage in the hope of securing a place in Saturday’s Grand Final will be: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, San Marino and Slovenia.
The interval will include a performance titled Music Unites Generations, exploring the connection between generations of Ukrainians and the music they love. Mariya Yaremchuk, who represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2014, will lead a contemporary montage of some of the most well-known pieces of music from the country.
Eurovision 2023 Grand Final
8pm (BST), Saturday 13 May 2023
Performing in the Grand Final will be all the acts who successfully made it through their respective Semi-Finals along with the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy who make up the Big Five. Joining them will be last year’s winner Ukraine who also automatically qualify.
The show will open with last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra and a powerful performance titled Voices of a New Generation.
During the Eurovision Flag Parade of all 26 Grand Finalists, everyone will be treated to a unique performance by some iconic past Ukrainian Eurovision contestants.
Not just Liverpool
In celebration of Eurovision 2023 being held in Liverpool with Ukraine, a number of cities will be staging their own live events to bring everyone together for this epic occasion.
Birmingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield will be holding official screenings to make sure as many of us can get in on the action as possible.
Looking back…
My personal all-time favourite…
Eurovision 2021 was won by Maneskin with “Zitti e Buoni” but Shum remains my all-time favourite. It was tough decide in 2021: I went with the song that grabbed me from the first notes.
Eurovision: Ukraine in Liverpool. Get ready!