The BBC is still riding a high after hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. And it seems that execs are still feeling buoyed by the experience, after recording their largest-ever audience watching all three live shows on BBC One — its flagship channel.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the broadcaster formally confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. And it announced that it will once again air the semi-finals on BBC One, which they did for the first time in 2023.
You can read their full press release below.
United Kingdom: BBC One to air Eurovision 2024 semi-finals and grand final
BBC Studios will once again produce the BBC’s coverage of the biggest and most watched song competition in the world following the 67th Eurovision Song Contest which was hosted by the BBC in Liverpool, on behalf of Ukraine and produced by BBC Studios.
Following Loreen’s victory in Liverpool earlier this year with the song Tattoo, the 68th edition of the Contest will be taking place in Sweden, culminating in the Grand Final which will be broadcast live from Malmö Arena on Saturday 11 May 2024. This will be the seventh time Sweden hosts the Contest.
Last year, the largest audience on record watched the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK:
- Overall coverage of Eurovision across TV, Radio and Online increased in 2023 to a pan-BBC reach of 55% and 29.8M audiences (3 Min+ Reach).
- The Eurovision 2023 Grand Final averaged 10.7M, the biggest 28-day audience seen on current records (since 2002). The Grand Final evidently captivated audiences, whose desire to be a part of this momentous night drew a significant increase in viewing (BARB 28-Day 4-Screen).
- The Grand Final saw 2.0M young 16-34 audiences tuning in, making it one of the top programmes for young audiences on the BBC so far this year, and the highest young audience seen for Eurovision since 2011 (BARB 28-Day 4-Screen).
- There were also audience highs for the Semi-Finals which aired on BBC One for the first time, seeing the highest audiences seen on current records (2002) for both Semi Final 1 (2.6M) and Semi Final 2 (2.5M) (BARB 28-Day 4-Screen).
Further to this exception performance in 2023, all three live programmes – both Semi Finals and the Grand Final – will once again all be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2024.
In addition, the BBC today also confirms that the search for the 2024 act and song for the United Kingdom has taken place over the Summer, led by Lee Smithurst, Executive Producer BBC Studios alongside Will Wilkin, Commissioning Executive BBC Music.
Further information regarding the United Kingdom’s participation at the next Eurovision Song Contest – including the entry for 2024 – will be announced in due course.
