Whilst the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 begins to generate pace with some early artist announcements, the Dutch organising team along with NOS and AVROTROS have also been busy selecting their Innovation Winners. Each of the three selected ideas has received a €35,000 fund to put towards their projects which are aimed to engage the Eurovision Song Contest audience further.
Ten finalists, three lucky winners!
The competition to find these Innovation Winners received over 200 entries from across 39 countries. These were shortlisted down to just a final list of 10. The finalists all had to pitch their ideas to the panel made up of representatives from NOS, AVROTROS and the Eurovision 2020 organising committee. In a quote given to fellow Eurovision news website, Wiwibloggs, the NPO director, Martijn van Dam, described the process:
“The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 must become a calling card for Dutch creativity and media innovation. That is why this challenge fits in perfectly with our aim to find connections with innovative technology companies and smart startups. A large number of entries from all over the world made this a success.”
Martijn van Dam, NPO
The three chosen winners are Kiswe Mobile from Belgium, Sceenic from the UK and TNO from hosting nation The Netherlands. These three concepts all provide very different ways for viewers to engage with the show.
Kiswe Mobile is offering a large number of customised streams, aimed at different target groups – each allowing a different choice of commentators or influencers leading the broadcast.
Sceenic’s concept will connect people through real-time video chat which will be perfectly synchronised with the live broadcast of the contest.
TNO will provide increased technology in the broadcast capabilities for the event with their UltraWide Viewing concept. The UWV cameras record the show giving a very high definition view of the whole stage and can then be projected elsewhere at full size on large screens, such as in event locations or cinemas so that audiences everywhere can experience the performances as if they were there themselves.
Van Dam describes these three chosen winners as “a good example of innovative media companies that we would like to work with to stimulate innovation in media”. He summarises the competition by stating that “together with them, we will investigate how the Eurovision Song Contest can become more interactive and innovative”.
Are you excited to see these ideas come to life for the Eurovision Song Contest? Let us know which concept interests you most in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA!
