The European Broadcasting Union has made a decision: Against the background of the currently prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 will not take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. "We expected and feared that," said Thomas Schreiber, ARD entertainment coordinator, in a press release. "As disappointing as it is for everyone involved, for all artists and all viewers in Europe and Australia", it is nevertheless "the only right decision". Health must be the top priority, says Schreiber.
How does the further planning look like?
The Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast annually on German television for 64 years without interruption. How the international singing competition will continue is still open. At any rate, Schreiber is confident: "I have absolute confidence that all those responsible are working flat out to find the best possible solution for the ESC 2021."
Will Ben Dolic (22) also be there? He should have represented Germany in the final this year with his song "Violent Thing". We will now discuss with our creative partners whether and how his ESC story will be told, "explains Schreiber. A replacement program that will be shown on the ARD instead of the ESC final on May 16 has not yet been found.