Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest
source
Name	Eurovision Song Contest
Native name	Concours Eurovision de la Chanson
Genre	Song competition
Creator	European Broadcasting Union
Judges	Professional juries and public televoting
Country	Various (host country changes annually)
Language	Primarily English and French, with other languages permitted
Num seasons	68 (as of 2024)
First aired	24 May 1956
Last aired	Present
Network	Eurovision Network

Eurovision Song Contest. The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual international song competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union, featuring participating member broadcasters. First held in Lugano in 1956, it is one of the world's longest-running television programs, designed to foster unity through popular music. The event has grown into a massive cultural phenomenon, with recent editions attracting over 180 million viewers globally and launching the careers of numerous international artists like ABBA and Céline Dion.

History

The contest was conceived during early meetings of the European Broadcasting Union, inspired by the Italian Sanremo Music Festival. The inaugural event in 1956 saw seven nations, including Switzerland, West Germany, and the Netherlands, compete. The 1960s and 1970s saw expansion, with Eastern European countries like Yugoslavia joining, and iconic wins for performers such as France Gall for Luxembourg. Landmark moments include the 1974 victory of Swedish group ABBA with "Waterloo" and the 1988 win for Céline Dion representing Switzerland. The fall of the Iron Curtain prompted a surge in participants, leading to the introduction of semi-finals in 2004. Recent decades have seen victories for diverse nations, from Portugal's first win in 2017 with Salvador Sobral to triumphs for Ukraine by Ruslana, Jamala, and Kalush Orchestra.

Format

The modern format typically involves two semi-finals and a grand final, all broadcast live across the Eurovision Network. Each participating broadcaster submits one original song, performed live on stage with elaborate visual presentations. The running order is determined by the production team and Executive Supervisor. Voting combines points from national professional juries and public televotes, each contributing 50% of the total. The iconic scoring sequence, where national spokespersons announce points from "1 to 8, 10, and 12," creates dramatic tension. The winning country traditionally earns the right to host the following year's event, as seen with cities like Liverpool, which hosted on behalf of Ukraine in 2023.

Participation

Eligibility is based on membership in the European Broadcasting Union, which includes nations within the European Broadcasting Area and Mediterranean basin members like Israel and Morocco. While primarily European, the inclusion of countries such as Australia, invited for the 60th anniversary, demonstrates its expanding reach. Active participants typically range from 35 to 40 nations per year, with "Big Five" countries—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom—along with the host nation, pre-qualified for the final. Notable long-term participants include Ireland, which holds the record for most victories, and Sweden, a consistent powerhouse. Several countries, including Turkey and Hungary, have withdrawn in recent years due to various political and financial considerations.

Rules

The official rules are established by the European Broadcasting Union and the Reference Group. Key regulations stipulate that all songs must be original and not exceed three minutes in length, with no more than six performers allowed on stage. Lyrics must not contain political statements or commercial endorsements, a rule enforced after incidents involving performances from Georgia and Belarus. All vocals must be performed live, though backing tracks are permitted. Broadcasters are responsible for selecting their entries through national finals, like Melodifestivalen in Sweden, or internal selections. The voting system is designed to prevent bloc voting, though patterns among neighboring countries like the Nordic countries or Balkan states are often observed.

Impact and legacy

The contest has had a profound influence on global popular music and television, serving as a springboard for international superstars like ABBA, Céline Dion, and Loreen. It has inspired numerous spin-offs, including the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision Asia Song Contest. Culturally, it is a celebrated LGBT event, promoting values of diversity and inclusion. Economically, hosting the contest provides significant tourism and investment for cities like Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Kyiv. Its musical legacy is archived by the Eurovision Song Contest Archive, and academic studies often analyze its socio-political dimensions. The contest's format has been replicated worldwide, influencing shows like American Song Contest.

Controversies

The contest has frequently been a stage for political tensions, notably during the Cold War, and more recently with the participation of Russia amidst conflicts with Ukraine, leading to Russia's exclusion in 2022. Voting patterns have long been criticized for alleged political bloc voting, particularly among the Balkan states and former Soviet Union countries. There have been notable rule-breaking incidents, such as the on-stage protest by Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede during the 2013 final in Malmö. Disputes over song lyrics have arisen, including the disqualification of entries from Belarus and Georgia for perceived political content. Organizational challenges, such as the financial strain on host broadcasters like Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, and debates over musical quality also periodically surface.

Category:Eurovision Song Contest Category:European Broadcasting Union Category:Television competitions Category:Recurring events established in 1956