The Scoop

More countries announce alternative Eurovision programming

Shows across the continent!

Four more countries have announced they will be organising their own alternative programming to replace this year’s contest, which was cancelled last week. Austria and the United Kingdom have already announced their own programming to replace the first ever Eurovision to be cancelled.

The alternative programming includes a preview show from Germany, a week of programming in the Netherlands, a look back at memorable Eurovision moments in Norway and an online contest in Spain.

🇩🇪 Germany ESC-Songcheck

German broadcaster NDR has announced that it will still run its preview show, ESC-Songcheck, during the week that Eurovision should have took place in. The show will see a panel of jurors vote on the 2020 entries to find their favourite. The jurors for the show include Germany’s Eurovision commentator Peter Urban, 2006 German representative Jane Comerford and TV presenter Thomas Gottschalk who commentated on the 1989 contest.

An online vote is also being considered for the show, which will be broadcast in the week commencing 11th May. Alina Stiegler and Stefan Speigel will present the show.

Jane Comerford, who took part in Eurovision 2006, will be on Germany’s jury

🇳🇱 Netherlands – A week of programming

The host country for the 2020 contest, The Netherlands, are planning a week-long schedule of alternative Eurovision programming. On 9th May, NPO1 will broadcast the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Stockholm. Teach-In won the contest, which was the last time The Netherlands had won the contest prior to Duncan’s win in 2019.

On 12th May, which was the planned day for semi-final 1, Cornald Mass will host Op weg naar de winst – a Eurovision documentary. Finally, on 16th May – which was due to be the night of the Eurovision final – the broadcaster will broadcast two shows – M Songfestival (talk show) and Beste Zangers – Songfestival (a repeat of a special shown last year featuring former Eurovision artists).

Among NPO’s alternative programming is Eurovision 1975 – won by Teach-In

🇳🇴 Norway – Adresse Europa

A different approach from Norway to its usual preview show! Adresse Europa will see NRK broadcast a series of memorable Eurovision moments. These moments will be voted on by a jury to find the most memorable Eurovision moment of all-time. The show, which will begin on 18th April for four weeks, will be hosted by Marte Stokstad.

The jury consists of presenter Ingeborg Heldal, former Head of Delegation Per Sundnes, singer Bendik and stylist Jan Thomas. Eurovision fans will also share their opinions on the memorable moments.

Norway will be looking back at memorable moments, but in the meantime, take a look at some funny moments of 2019!

🇪🇸 Spain – Eurovisión 2020 Online

Finally, a more digital approach from Spain who host their own online Eurovision 2020. The broadcaster RTVE has already held the semi-final voting with nearly 10,000 votes across the two semi-finals. Lithuania’s The Roop won semi-final 1 with 559 votes (two votes ahead of Russia) and semi-final 2 was won by Iceland’s Daði og Gagnamagnið with 787 votes.

The 20 qualifiers will join the Big 5 and The Netherlands in the grand final vote, which remains open until 12:00 CEST on Monday. Who will be Spain’s 2020 winner? You can vote for your winner here.

The winner of Spain’s online vote for semi-final 2 – “Think About Things”!

Will you be watching any of the alternative programming in your countries? Do you like the idea of hosting “alternative” Eurovisions?

Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.

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