Producer Peter Settman tells Aftonbladet that as many as ten broadcasters have expressed interest in the inaugural American Song Contest, rumoured to launch in 2021.
Speaking to the Swedish daily, the founder and executive of Brain Academy (which hold the rights to the US version of the song contest) revealed that multiple networks have expressed interest.
“Interest in a US Eurovision is high among the TV channels in the US. At least ten big players have already shown interest in it (including) the major US networks.”
Peter Settman
While Settman stops short of providing any concrete details or the names of the broadcasters, he does reveal that a major US network has got in touch to express interest. Even setting up a meeting between one of its top executives and Settman:
“I mean is that this guy represented one of the world’s largest TV channels and was extremely interested in this program. We’ll see where it ends up somewhere.”
Peter Settman
Back in May, when the American version of the song contest was announced, Settman seemed hopeful that one of Europe’s most loved shows could find a similar audience ‘across the pond’.
“Outside of sports, the Eurovision Song Contest is the biggest TV show on Earth, it unites a continent and everybody gets to vote. We can’t wait to introduce this wonderful competition to the biggest TV market in the world. Audiences are getting bigger every year so this is the perfect time to bring this exciting show to the American public.”
Peter Settman
The format
With a regional ‘spin-off’ confirmed with the Eurovision Asia Song Contest, details so far have been sparse as to how the American incarnation of the television show would be formatted.
Whether it be state versus state, or city against city, Settman has revealed that the competitive format of the American contest is something that is still be worked out.
“The stage where we are now is how to make a Eurovision so that it fits in an American television context, because we can not directly move over. What is competing in America? Are they the states, or cities, or are they the artists? We are in the middle of that work and when we think we have the concept we go out and pitch it.“
Peter Settman
America and the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision continues to make inroads outside of its own European borders, with further details being revealed about Netflix’s Eurovision film and recent confirmation that the streaming service has the rights to screen the 2019 and 2020 contests online.
Will Ferell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan and most recently Demi Lovato have all signed up to the upcoming Eurovision comedy to be produced by Netflix, further increasing brand awareness of the contest in the US.
Up until recently however, success by Eurovision associated entities and acts has been limited and niche.
Ruslana’s 2004 winning Wild Dances however did appear on the soundtrack of American video game, Grand Theft Auto IV while Netta’s Toy did in fact make it to #1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs in 2018.
