Finnish broadcaster Yle have announced their alternative broadcasting plans, in place of this year’s cancelled contest. They have announced to plan to rebroadcast three past contests celebrating Finland’s Eurovision success as well as showing “Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light”.
Yle will also hold “Viisukevät 2020” where the Finnish viewers will be able to vote for their favourite entries from the 2020 contest. The programming will begin on 14th May and run through until 16th May – which was planned to be the date of this year’s grand final.
A look back at Lordi’s win!
Replacing the second semi-final broadcast, Viisukevät 2020: Top 10 will kick off the alternative programming on 14th May. Mikko Silvennionen and Krista Siegfrids will host the show which will see Finland decide on their top ten songs that would have took part in the 2020 contest. Voting will take place online from 8th May on the Yle website. Following on from the show will be the grand final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Copenhagen. The contest marked Finland’s best result in the contest since 1989, not including Lordi’s 2006 victory. Softengine’s “Something Better” finished 11th at the contest.
On Friday 15th May, Viisukevät 2020 will return for its second night. It will be see the public request their favourite Eurovision songs and answer the question “What is your all-time favourite Eurovision song and why?”. The show will take place between 18:00 and 19:30 CEST. Then, Yle will celebrate Finland’s only victory by showing the Eurovision 2006 final. Lordi won the 2006 contest with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.
A Saturday night to remember
Yle will end the Eurovision week on 16th May with the final episode of Viisukevät 2020, Etkot. The show will build up the atmosphere before the night of Eurovision broadcasting, beginning with the 2007 Eurovision Grand Final. The contest was held in Helsinki, following Finland’s win in Athens in 2006. After that, Finland will join the rest of Europe to broadcast Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light. The show is planned by the EBU as a replacement for the cancelled 2020 contest. It will be hosted live in Hilversum by Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit.
For radio listeners, throughout Eurovision week, Radio Finland will host a two-part show, Eurovision 2020: nämä jäivät kuulematta (Eurovision 2020: Those were not heard). Also, on Saturday 16th May, the station will be asking listeners for requests from throughout Eurovision history.
Are you excited about Yle’s replacement broadcasting? Do you have any special Eurovision songs or moments to share?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.
