As some of us struggle to get over the 2022 contest, some are already looking forward to 2023 edition of the contest. One of those who are already seem to have started their 2023 planning is the BBC who have – this week already had high level meetings.
Heads head to HQ
This week, Lee Smithurst who is member of the UK delegation on behalf of the BBC, posted on his instagram stories that he was at BBC broadcasting house. BBC Broadcasting House is their London HQ. He posted the picture with the caption ”First Eurovision 2023 meeting”.
It’s fun to speculate!
The contents of the meeting are understandably mysterious of course, but it’s always fun to speculate as to what was discussed. Seeing as it wasn’t a debrief on 2022 it makes it more exciting! It’s been speculated that it was for a selection process for the UK’s 2023 entrant. It has been speculated that it could be a potential bid to host the 2023 contest.
Despite Ukraine and UA:PBC being adamant they want to host the contest in Ukraine in 2023, there may have to be contingency plans. BBC being the broadcaster responsible for coming runners up in 2022 may feel they have a solid case.
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022
Last October the BBC announced a new collaboration with TaP Music management to find an artist and song to represent the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2022. Following this the BBC confirmed Sam Ryder and his song, ‘Space Man’ for Turin. Over several months Sam Ryder deployed a heavy promotional campaign. This changed a narrative that set the path to Eurovision redemption.
Back in May, Sam Ryder achieved the UK’s best result in the contest since Imaani in 1998 with ‘Where Are You?‘. Rocketing to second place, behind the winner’s Ukraine, Sam scored a total of 486 points. Thus ‘Space Man’ earned the highest ever points total for the UK, as well as the highest ever jury and televote scores.
After the contest he continues to break records. Recently the Official Charts Company revealed his Eurovision song ‘Space Man‘ reached number 2 in the UK’s Top 40 chart. An important milestone, as is it is the highest charting Eurovision entry from the United Kingdom this century. Meanwhile his career continues to go from strength to strength. With sold out concerts across the UK and Europe, as well as news he will be launched in America! He also had the immense honour at performing at Queen Elizabeth II’s BBC Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace.
We have some amazing talent who have previously expressed an interest in doing Eurovision, namely Years and Years and Anne Marie. Both write great pop songs and would earn even more respect for the UK as we\’d be sending established stars. Next year, we could do this. Let\’s face it, Sam was the real winner this year.