What is Eurovision?

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual international song competition featuring participants from countries across Europe and beyond. Established in 1956, the contest has become a major event in the world of popular music, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch each year's performances.

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual international music competition featuring participants from countries across Europe and beyond. Each participating country selects one original song to represent them in the competition, which is then performed live by a singer or group. The songs are judged by a panel of national juries and a public televote, with the country with the highest total score at the end of the competition being declared the winner. The Eurovision Song Contest is known for its elaborate staging, colorful costumes, and eccentric performances, and has become a major event in the world of popular music, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch each year's performances. It is also a symbol of unity and cooperation in Europe, and has helped to foster a sense of shared culture and community among participating countries.

History of Eurovision:

The Eurovision Song Contest was first conceived in the mid-1950s as a way to bring European countries together through music. The idea was to create an event that would promote cultural exchange and understanding, while also showcasing the best in contemporary popular music from across the continent.

The first contest took place in 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland, with seven countries participating. The format was simple: each country would submit one original song, performed live, and a panel of judges would select the winner.

Over the years, the contest grew in popularity and expanded to include more countries. By the 1970s, it had become a major event on the European cultural calendar, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the live broadcast.

In the 1990s, the contest saw a significant increase in the number of countries participating, with many newly independent states from Eastern Europe joining the competition. Today, the Eurovision Song Contest includes dozens of countries from across Europe and beyond, including Australia, which was invited to participate in 2015.

Format of Eurovision:

The format of the Eurovision Song Contest has remained largely unchanged since its inception. Each participating country selects one original song to represent them in the competition. The song is performed live by a singer or group, and is judged by a panel of national juries and a public televote.

The scoring system used in the Eurovision Song Contest is unique and often controversial. Each country awards points to other countries' songs based on a combination of the national jury vote and the public televote. The country with the highest total score at the end of the competition is declared the winner.

While the Eurovision Song Contest is primarily a music competition, it is also known for its elaborate staging, colorful costumes, and eccentric performances. Over the years, the contest has become famous for its over-the-top productions and memorable moments, including the infamous "bearded lady" performance by Conchita Wurst in 2014.

Significance of Eurovision:

The Eurovision Song Contest is more than just a music competition - it is a cultural phenomenon that has played an important role in shaping European identity and promoting cross-border understanding. The contest has become a symbol of unity and cooperation in Europe, and has helped to foster a sense of shared culture and community among participating countries.

The Eurovision Song Contest is also a major economic and cultural event, generating millions of euros in revenue and promoting tourism in host cities. In recent years, the contest has expanded its reach beyond Europe, with broadcasters in Asia and North America expressing interest in the event.

Where it is being held:

For the inaugural time in history, the competition is being organized on behalf of another country.

Last year, the Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine emerged victorious, with a flood of support from across Europe surging the nation towards triumph.

However, the United Kingdom secured the runner-up position, marking its best performance in several decades, and was requested to host the competition as it was evident that Russia's ongoing invasion would prevent Ukraine from fulfilling its hosting duties.

Liverpool, the birthplace of the Beatles, was handpicked to assume the mantle, and the city has undergone a striking transformation for the occasion. The entire city is adorned with Ukrainian-themed embellishments, and 3,000 subsidized tickets were allocated to the refugees from Ukraine who have been displaced from their homeland.

How does Eurovision work:

Each country submits a song, which is then performed live on stage by an artist or a group of performers.

During the competition, each country casts two sets of votes: one set from a panel of judges, and another set from viewers at home. The votes from each country are then combined to determine the winner.

The voting process takes place in two rounds. In the first round, the countries award points to their top ten favorite songs, with 12 points going to the country's favorite song, 10 points going to the second-favorite song, and so on down to 1 point for the tenth-favorite song.

The second round of voting takes place after all of the countries have cast their votes in the first round. The top ten countries with the highest scores from the first round move on to the second round, where they perform their songs again. In this round, the countries only receive points from viewers at home, and the country with the highest overall score is declared the winner.

The winning country has the honor of hosting the competition the following year. Eurovision is known for its catchy tunes, flashy performances, and high-energy atmosphere, making it a beloved event for millions of fans around the world.

How can you watch it:

To witness the grandeur of Eurovision in the United States, one must look no further than Peacock, the exclusive streaming platform. The highly-anticipated final coverage, slated for 3 p.m. ET (8 p.m. UK time) on Saturday, promises to be a sight to behold.

Renowned Olympic figure skater, Johnny Weir, is returning to provide his entertaining and insightful commentary for the second year in a row. In an interview with CNN, Weir expressed his immense passion for the contest, stating that his experience as a broadcaster and entertainer was enriched by his love for Eurovision.

Weir's admiration for the competition is palpable, and he is thrilled to engage with viewers via "Watch With," where questions can be submitted to him during the live stream.

The contest, which has become a global phenomenon, features live performances by talented singers from various countries. While national broadcasters across Europe typically air the contest, the BBC is the host broadcaster for this year's event in Liverpool.

Last point:

The Eurovision Song Contest is a unique and beloved event that has captured the hearts of millions of viewers around the world. Its blend of music, culture, and spectacle has made it a one-of-a-kind experience that continues to captivate audiences year after year.

Despite its occasional controversies and criticisms, the Eurovision Song Contest remains an important symbol of European unity and cooperation. It is a testament to the power of music and culture to bring people together, and it will continue to be a cherished tradition for generations to come.