Colorful costumes, wild dance routines, lots of shows and a bit of music: the Eurovision Song Contest draws more than a hundred million viewers in front of the television every year. After the clear victory of the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra 2022 in Turin, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the ESC, had to reschedule. Normally, the Siegerland hosts the upcoming show. Because of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, the EBU is forced to break with this tradition.
You can find out here who will take over instead, which band will represent Germany and when the ESC will take place.
When and where will the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 take place?
Second-placed Great Britain was awarded the right to host the ESC. The United Kingdom chose the home of the beatles: Liverpool. There, the participants compete in the M&S Bank Arena, which offers space for 11,000 spectators.
The semi-finals took place on May 9th and 11th, 2023 at 9 p.m. The final starts on May 13th around 21 clock. The motto of this year’s ESC is “United by Music” and is intended to demonstrate the partnership between Great Britain and Ukraine.
Who is broadcasting the event on TV?
The ARD broadcasts the semi-finals and the final. While the two semifinals still in the special interest channel ARD One can be seen, the big show is running in the main programme. Barbara Schöneberger is already there at 8.15 p.m. to get in the mood for the evening.
- Saturday, May 13, 9:00 p.m.: Eurovision Song Contest, ARD and eurovision.tv
Who is representing Germany?
The rock band Lord of the Lost has the German ESC preliminary decision Our song for Liverpool won. With their song “Blood & Glitter” they serve a part of typical ESC successes: Loud, eye-catching costumes and glitter.
After all, the band has a good estimate of what to expect: “At least the last one is a very realistic goal,” said singer Chris Harms of the “Spot on news” agency. With the exception of Michael Schulte’s fourth place five years ago, Germany has been in one of the last three places since 2015.
Participants: Who is in the ESC final?
A total of 37 countries take part in the Eurovision Song Contest. Next to Russiathat because of aggressive war as well Belarus excluded are still missing Hungary and the Türkiye. The Turkish broadcaster TRT, which broadcasts the ESC, criticizes the points system, which Turks feel disadvantaged. Hungary, on the other hand, is said to be “too gay” for the ESC, like the British one Guardians 2019, and has therefore not made a contribution since then. Also missing are the former participants Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovakia.
31 nations were in the semi-finals, ten countries made it to the final in each semi-final. What was new this year was that the country juries have no say in the semi-finals. Only the televoting decided.
Eliminated in semifinals:
- Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX – tell me more
- Denmark: Reiley – Breaking My Heart
- Georgia: Iru – echo
- Greece: Victor Vernicos – What They Say
- Ireland: Wild Youth – we are one
- Iceland: Dilja – Power
- Latvia: Sudden Lights – Aija
- Malta: The Busker – Dance (Our Own Party)
- Netherlands: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper – Burning Daylight
- Romania: Theodor Andrei – DGT (Off And On)
- San Marino: Piqued Jacks – Like An Animal
Who is favorite?
Sweden is at the forefront of betting providers with Loreen, who won the ESC in 2012 with “Euphoria”. It is followed by Finland, Ukraine and France. Germany is in 18th place. Austria is given better chances. Our neighbors are ranked 9th among bookmakers.
Who hosts the show?
Great Britain has three women and one moderator: Julia Sanina, Hannah Waddingham and Alesha Dixon as well as Graham Norton lead through the evening. Norton has a double role as he also comments in the evening. The team is completed with the Ukrainian ESC moderator Timur Miroshnychenko.
Why is Australia included?
Australia has been singing along since 2015. Despite the time difference – the broadcast is at 6 a.m. – the ESC has a lot of fans and viewers there and has been broadcast since 1983. The Australian television broadcaster asked the EBU and was recorded on the occasion of the 60th edition of the ESC. The Aussies’ best placement was in 2016 with Dami Im (“Sound of Silence”). She ended up in 2nd place.
How is the scoring?
Each participating country awards one to twelve points. This has even happened twice since 2016. Once by a state jury, once by the audience via telephone voting. This year, fans whose countries do not take part in the ESC can also vote. To save time, only the highest scores awarded by the jury are read out. Viewer results are added up and announced on the show.