LOGO TV WILL NOT BROADCAST ESC THIS YEAR

Viacom’s Logo TV will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, according to a report from Deadline.

This news means that the contest has lost its home here in the US, having been broadcast by Logo TV for the past three years, since Stockholm 2016.

Our neighbors up north, Canada has secured the rights through OMNI Television, to screen the contest in Tel Aviv next month.

As mentioned, LOGO TV first aired the show in 2016 when Carson Kressley and Michelle Collins commentated the show. 52,000 viewers in the USA watched the show that year.

In 2017, Ru Paul Drag Race’s Ross Mathews and Michelle Visage took over that honor, and managed to attract 64,000 viewers. 74,000 viewers watched the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 Grand Final from Lisbon, Portugal, with the contest having a share of 0.02%.

American fans here don’t seem to be too upset by the news. Since LOGO TV got the rights of airing the show, all YouTube videos of the live shows from 2016 are block, and are still currently geolocked,  Even more, fans who were not subscribed to LOGO TV, a paid cable channel, were struggling to watch the live stream. 

We have yet to receive any information whether or not any other network will take over from LOGO TV and screen the 2019 show from Tel Aviv. As you may know, Madonna is tipped to perform a couple of songs during the Grand Final, something that should attract many local American viewers.  

Fnac: 2019 double CD is out on April 26th

French music and entertainment store, Fnac, revealed today that the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest double CD would be available starting April 26th.  The EBU has yet to confirm this. 

We expect the digital version will also be released  around that time, and as in previous years, should be available for purchase in the US through music providers such as Apple Music, Spotify and Google Music Play.

According to Fnac, the price listed is 14.99€.  

Looking at the artwork that was released, it seems the double CD includes 42 songs, so we wonder whether Ukraine’s entry is included or not. Ukraine, as you know, withdrew its participation  in February just several days after Maruv won their national contest. 

Small town boy and polls favorite is keeping his expectations low

Duncan Laurence, as you may know, is currently the favorite to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. At least according to the polls. Though still early in the game, this time a year ago the polls predicted israel to win the trophy.

Representing his homeland, The Netherlands, Duncan is  in Israel to shoot his postcard, the 40 seconds piece aired before each song.  

In an interview to Israeli host broadcaster, KAN, Duncan is talking about his entry and his rise to fame, from a small town boy who participated at the Dutch version of The Voice, to a big Arcade and this year’s favorite to win in Tel Aviv.  While being aware of and flattered by his chances to win, Duncan is trying to keep the expectations low, and for now talk about the powerful and global message of the song.  

Take a look at the interview to KAN (HE / ENG).  

​Meanwhile, Dutch broadcaster has already declared it is ready to host 2020! So will the polls get it right again, similar to 2018, when Netta and Toy were the favorites to win from the moment Toy was released (until Cyprus came out of nowhere in the final days before the Final), or will another favorite rise within the next couple of weeks? ​

Green Room and Semi tickets still available

There are still a few tickets left for all three shows. Green Room seats are available for the final on May 18th (the main arena is sold out for now). There are still a few seats and Golden Ring tickets available for each of the Semis on May 14th and May 16th. 

Prices range from  $97 for the cheapest ticket to each of the Semi Finals, to $554 for the Green Room tickets for the Final on May 18th.

Tickets can be purchased on www.leaan.co.il/eu . 

We strongly recommend purchasing tickets through Leaan.  

See you at Expo Tel Aviv in May. 

This Saturday: NYC Melodifestivalen Finale Party returns to Times Square!

It's that time of year again!

We started this journey five weeks ago, we lost some good songs along the way, but last night, Saturday, the lineup for the Sweden’s 2019 Melodifestivalen, the most watched national selection in the world, was finally completed, and 12 very happy artists are on their way to the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

One of them will have the honor of representing Sweden in Tel Aviv this coming May. And just to remind you, the last time Israel hosted the show, back in 1999, it was Sweden who won the contest!

As always, Swedes in New York is hosting the biggest MelFest party in North America at Tonic bar in Time Squares. The party takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th, doors open already at noon, so you can get there on time, grab a bite and a drink before the show even starts.  No cover at the door, and the show starts exactly at 2pm Eastern.

You can read more and register on the Facebook event page

Tonic Times Sq
727 7th Ave (between 48th and 49th St)
New York
UPSTAIRS (2nd floor)
Saturday, March 9th @ 2:00pm

So who’s your favorite?
Here’s a recap with the running order (courtesy of MYESC).

Uploaded by ESC Sebbe on 2019-03-02.

As expected, Ukraine is out, won’t compete in TLV

Ukrainian broadcaster, following Maruv's withdrawal, has failed to to find a replacement entrant for Tel Aviv. Moments ago, as we sadly expected earlier this week, they have released the following statement where they officially announce that they would not take part in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. 

"The Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity for every country to showcase itself in an international area, and for each performer to act as an ambassador of their country and win fans from around the world. But the national selection this year has drawn attention to a systemic problem with the music industry in Ukraine – the connection of artists with an aggressor state with whom we are in the fifth year of military conflict. Whilst for some, these links are acceptable, for others it causes indignation and unacceptance. Given the current sitation, and following Ukrainian law on public broadcasting, as well as conditions of excessive politicization of the national selection process, UA:PBC has decided to withdraw from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest."

 The European Broadcasting Union has released the following statement: 

“Each participating broadcaster is responsible for the selection of their act for the Eurovision Song Contest in accordance to the rules set out by the European Broadcasting Union. It is with sadness that the EBU can confirm that Ukraine’s broadcasterUA:PBC has informed the EBU that, following further discussions, theyhave made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. There will be further discussions between the EBU and UA:PBC on this matter but we hope to see them again in 2020. However, for now, welook forward to what is already shaping up to be a fantastic event in Tel Aviv in May.”

 How will the EBU deal with this situation is yet to be known, but most likely, Ukraine will be fined for their last minute withdrawal (three months after the participation deadline). We here at escglobe.com use this opportunity to remind our readers that our site is apolitical. We do however call all participating countries to put politics aside and celebrate Eurovision. This is why Eurovision was created! We hope to see Ukraine back in the competition next year, and we will sure miss them in Tel Aviv.