Today, the BBC has formally announced that the United Kingdom will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, to be held in Malmö, Sweden next May. Along with this announcement comes news that the search for the next UK act has already begun!
United Kingdom confirm Eurovision 2024 participation
Following a successful collaborative hosting of Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine, the BBC officially announces its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Once again BBC Studios will produce the coverage for the BBC. Meanwhile, both the Semi-Finals and Grand Final broadcasts are confirmed to be staying live on BBC One and the iPlayer. This comes after the news that Semi-Final coverage for Eurovision 2023 on BBC One broke viewing records. Since BBC records began in 2002, Semi-Final 1 achieved a ratings high of 2.6m and Semi-Final 2 achieved 2.5m. As well as this, the Grand Final itself averaged 10.7m viewers. Overall across all radio, streaming and TV platforms, Eurovision 2023 reached an audience of 29.8m or 55%.
BBC selection process begins
Along with today’s news, came the revelation that Lee Smithurst, (Executive Producer BBC Studios) and Will Wilkin, (Commissioning Executive BBC Music), have already started work on finding the next act to represent the United Kingdom for Eurovision 2024. According to the BBC, the team started the selection process for an act and song for Eurovision 2024 during the Summer. Recently, the BBC announced the end of their partnership with music management company TaP Music that had helped the broadcaster source Sam Ryder and Mae Muller.
Further details will be announced over the coming months, although it is expected the BBC will continue with its internal selection method.
Who should represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2024? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2024 Eurovision season.
