The 2020 event has been called off, but fans will still get their Eurovision fix this year.
SBS has today announced that it will screen a week-long festival of Eurovision from 10-17 May, culminating in a brand new spectacle that combines the network's Eurovision 2020: Big Night In! and the Netherlands' Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light events.
The Big Night In! event, hosted by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey, will celebrate the 2020 artists and songs and even give viewers the chance to vote for their three favourite acts.
The special will also feature an exclusive studio performance from 2020 Australian representative Montaigne, who will give a first look at the performance she would have delivered in Rotterdam next month.
"64 years ago, Eurovision was born as an idea to help unite people after a period of turmoil and instability. In 2020, SBS is incredibly proud to fill the gap left from the cancellation of this year’s contest in Rotterdam, with a network event that champions the very same goal," SBS Commissioning Editor and Australian Head of Delegation, Josh Martin, said.
“Music really is the great unifier and a perfect antidote for a nation in isolation. We’ve already seen this through the thousands of apartment block singalongs and virtual choirs and, in this spirit, we promise this will be a fun, exciting and inclusive party that everyone is invited to! So get your costumes planned, and your twitter fingers ready as we countdown Australia’s Eurovision 2020 votes.”
Warhurst added, “We can’t wait to see who your favourite acts are, Australia. Will it be one of the bookies favourites – Daði & Gagnamagnið from Iceland, VICTORIA from Bulgaria or The Roop from Lithuania? Or will our love of kitsch see Russia’s Little Big take the virtual crown?
"Let’s come together and celebrate our passion for music and make this an unforgettable moment in Eurovision history!”
For more details, click here.
The news comes just weeks after it was announced that Montaigne will represent Australia at Eurovision 2021.
