Music
20 Mar 20

Eurovision planning to broadcast an "alternative" 2020 show

The beloved song contest was cancelled earlier this week, but organisers are now looking at new ways to honour the songs and artists chosen for this year's Contest.

Eurovision Song Contest's organisers are now looking at "alternative programming" options, following a previous announcement that the 2020 edition of the beloved competition would be cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The new alternative programming and supplementary online platforms will honour the songs and artists that were chosen for the 2020 Contest. Though this year's songs will not be eligible to compete when the Contest returns in 2021, broadcasters have the option to send the same representative as this year or a new one for the 2021 edition, according to a statement.

This year's contest was set to take place in Rotterdam, following the Netherlands' win in 2019. Organisers ask for continued patients as they "work through practical implications of these ideas in the coming days and weeks."

Dublin singer-songwriter Lesley Roy was chosen to represent Ireland with 'Story of My Life'. Iceland had been racking up love from the international community with a viral electro-pop hit titled 'Think About Things'

Eurovision's statement reads: "The EBU is very aware of how much the Eurovision Song Contest will be missed this year. The Contest’s values of universality and inclusivity, and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music, are needed now more than ever.

As such, the EBU and its Members are currently exploring alternative programming, but not a competition, to help unite and entertain audiences around Europe during these challenging times.

It is our intention with this programming, and on our online platforms in the coming months, to honour the songs and artists which have been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020."

Find the full statement here.