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BBC makes big change to how UK's Eurovision 2020 entry will be decided

Photo credit: Guy Levy - BBC
Photo credit: Guy Levy - BBC

From Digital Spy

After years of nul points, finishing bottom of the leader board and some general all-round Eurovision disasters, the BBC has confirmed it's making a big change to how the UK will select its Eurovision entry from 2020.

Previously the UK has voted for its Eurovision entry, which has most recently run in the form of selection show Eurovision: You Decide since 2016, with the public sending the likes of SuRie and Michael Rice to represent us in the singing competition.

But for 2020 the BBC has confirmed that music company BMG will choose the entrant and song with BBC Studios, meaning it's the end of the road for viewer-voted Eurovision entrants. For now, at least.

Photo credit: Guy Levy - BBC
Photo credit: Guy Levy - BBC

The new selection process is part of the BBC's effort to improve Britain's chances at winning after Michael Rice finished in last place at Eurovision in Tel Aviv, Israel this year, with BBC Studios creative director Mel Balac saying the new deal with BMG is a "turning point for the UK at Eurovision".

"We very much hope this marks the start of an exciting new chapter," Balac added.

"Our commitment to finding the right song has never been higher and this collaboration with BMG, who have access to world class songwriters, is a genuinely exciting prospect and I am certain that together we can find the best song and artist possible for 2020," added Kate Phillips, BBC controller of entertainment commissioning.

BMG is a music publisher and record label, representing artists and songwriters including Kylie Minogue, Bring Me The Horizon, Peter Doherty, Boy George and Simple Minds.

Photo credit: Jack Guez - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jack Guez - Getty Images

Related: Eurovision – 8 UK entries that were totally robbed of the trophy

"Eurovision plays to our strength as the only fully-integrated publishing company and record label," BMG's UK president of repertoire and marketing, Alistair Norbury, said.

"We can't wait to get started working with the BBC to give it the best possible shot we can."

This year, Eurovision was won by the Netherlands' Duncan Laurence, who won with 492 points for the song 'Arcade'. This means the competition will be held in the Netherlands in 2020, with Rotterdam later being confirmed as the host city.


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