EUROVISION 2023 - General Discussion thread

[ESC United Mod Team]

This thread is for any general Eurovision 2023 discussion not limited to or specifically about any country's national selections or song choices.

 

[rasmuslights]

Btw, we had 37 participants in 2014 - (16 in semi 1 and 15 in semi 2).

So far, we got 34 participants and I think we can be sure that Moldova and Armenia are about to participate which will bring us to 36 participants (15 countries per semi final). - The EBU will still be "satisfied" with that number, in my opinion.

I´m a little bit afraid of the Czech Republic withdrawing but I don´t think that we will be seeing any significant change (like only organising one semi final, inviting Kazakhstan or Kosovo).

Yeah, I don't think they'd be too mad about 36. But it still may push them to invite Kazakhstan.
Kosovo won't be there.

 

[Loindici]

Yeah, I don't think they'd be too mad about 36. But it still may push them to invite Kazakhstan.
Kosovo won't be there.

We'll never know whether Hungary or Slovakia will participate out of the blue, but it might be unlikely.

 

[Mainshow]

A delegation from the BBC have visited Liverpool, as planning continues for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

A delegation, headed by Director General of the BBC Tim Davie, and Director of Unscripted for the BBC Kate Phillips, visited Liverpool yesterday (14 October) to begin planning for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. They met with the team behind Liverpool’s winning bid, including Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, at the venue for next year’s show, Liverpool Arena.

source: Eurovoix

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1580942344219947009

 

[Teaisloveable]

Eurovision has never felt so close, yet so inaccessible before.

The accommodation prices (what's left that is) are astronomical, not to mention the cost of UK travel and who even knows what the ticket prices will be this year.

I'm actually seriously considering travelling to Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam and watching Eurovision week from home...

 

[Bobjan FR]

Moldova sure, czech republic i doubt, armenia.... depends of their neighbour. They could finally invite kazakhstan, kosovo i never thought about them.


I wonder, in the future, what happens if the number of participants is.... 33 ? 30 ? Make semi finals of 13 candidats with 10 qualifiers looks ridiculous, but the system with one semi-final was awful....

 

[12Pointsgoto.....]

I remember watching semi finals with 28 participants, it was not good. Maybe the EBU can let some other members join in north africa, such as morocco.

 

[Mainshow]

I remember watching semi finals with 28 participants, it was not good. Maybe the EBU can let some other members join in north africa, such as morocco.

Morocco can always join Eurovision - EBU doesn´t have to "let them join". Same applies or applied to countries such as Tunisia or Lebanon - which even attempted to enter the contest but withdrew in the end due to Israel´s participation in the contest.

I agree with you, though, semi finals with 28 participants are horrible and should never come back.

Even IF the Czech Republic withdraws, we will still see 2 semi finals of 15 countries/performances each (since I don´t expect Armenia and/or Moldova to not take part next year).. which can be compared to the 2014 edition.

The EBU should rather focus on downsizing the contest and their "internal structure" and bringing back former participants who might have withdrawns because of rising costs (participation fees, accommodation, costs for performances/effects).
Or invite Kazakhstan (still a questionable democracy) but at least, they are interested in competing, are part of JESC and right now, the country is undergoing some changes into the right direction (politically) [politics shouldn´t even be a criterion as long as you don´t commit heinous crimes or a genocide].

 

[Looren]

I remember watching semi finals with 28 participants, it was not good. Maybe the EBU can let some other members join in north africa, such as morocco.

I think you should forget the idea of us coming back for a little while sadly

 

[12Pointsgoto.....]

I agree with you, though, semi finals with 28 participants are horrible and should never come back.

Even IF the Czech Republic withdraws, we will still see 2 semi finals of 15 countries/performances each (since I don´t expect Armenia and/or Moldova to not take part next year).. which can be compared to the 2014 edition.

The EBU should rather focus on downsizing the contest and their "internal structure" and bringing back former participants who might have withdrawns because of rising costs (participation fees, accommodation, costs for performances/effects).
Or invite Kazakhstan (still a questionable democracy) but at least, they are interested in competing, are part of JESC and right now, the country is undergoing some changes into the right direction (politically) [politics shouldn´t even be a criterion as long as you don´t commit heinous crimes or a genocide].

If it ever comes to the point where we have 31-34 participants, then I do believe that there needs to system change. We cannot have three or four countries not qualify per semi-final. We could have a final with 20 songs, and we could change the big 5 system where only the host nation automatically qualifies. But I do think that the countries we will have this year will most likely leave the contest in the foreseeable future. Maybe Romania but that is about it. So I don;t think our list of participants will ever drop below 35.

 

[Sammy]

On a side note: I don‘t believe that the quality of the contest depends on the number of participants.

 

[MopManMoss]

I just don’t understand why the BBC signed off on Liverpool when there are so many places in this country outside of London with big music venues, 9k capacity is a joke for an international event being held in the UK.

I doubt I will be going, hopefully 2024 will be more affordable and accessible (fingers crossed Norway and Switzerland send something crap)

 

[DanielLuis]

With the most recent comments from the Czech Head of Press on Twitter I guess it's pretty much a certainty that the Czech Republic is withdrawing. Maybe they're still trying to work out some sort of last minute deal and that's why they haven't announced anything, but seems unlikely.

Meanwhile, since the list of participants is gonna be announced this week and there were reports from the Kazakh broadcaster saying they were confident they could take part in 2023 just from like 2 weeks ago, I think it's pretty likely we'll see Kazakhstan debuting this year. So that would mean we'll have 37 participants this time, an ok-ish number after so many withdrawals/threat of withdrawals.

 

[Mainshow]

Which statement by the Czech head of press/delegation do you refer to?

I´m afraid of the Czech Repubic withdrawing, too - but after getting quite some decent results in recent years, I´m still hoping to see them in Liverpool again.

We don´t know whether the final list of participant will be announced this week - according to the BBC, they "expect the official list to be unveiled".

ESC 2023: The Official List of Participating Countries to be unveiled this week

Eurovision 2024 news: The BBC has revealed that the Official List of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Participating Countries is expected to be released by the EBU later this

esctoday.com

BUT I really do hope that we will be getting the official list later this week - after 3 withdrawals in a single day, we need some "good news".

 

[Mainshow]

BBC announces Eurovision Song Contest 2023 senior production team​

Martin Green CBE has been appointed as Managing Director who will lead the team responsible overseeing all aspects of Eurovision 2023:

‘I am thrilled to have been asked to lead the delivery of Eurovision 2023 for the BBC. As a lifelong fan of the contest, it’s a dream come true. I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant team at the BBC, in Liverpool and the EBU and of course colleagues from Ukraine; I speak for us all when I say we’ll do you proud.’

Green has over twenty years of experience in major global events, most recently he was the Chief Creative Officer of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (where he delivered the opening and closing ceremonies and a major cultural programme), and Chief Creative Officer of Unboxed 2022. Prior to that Martin was CEO of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, a ground-breaking world class arts festival that reinvigorated the city; as well as Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

BBC announces Eurovision Song Contest 2023 senior production team

As host broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, the BBC has announced its senior team in charge of delivering the Contest in Liverpool.

eurovision.tv

 

[elanyvx]

Which statement by the Czech head of press/delegation do you refer to?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1582114695510921216

 

[elanyvx]

from 33 countries to 34-35-36-37-38?

Eurovision 2023: quanti paesi saranno a Liverpool? Lo scopriremo questa settimana - EIN

Entro la fine di questa settimana saranno comunicati i paesi che prenderanno parte all'Eurovision 2023 di Liverpool.

eurovisionin.com

 

[Mainshow]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1582114695510921216

Thank you!

"Let´s wait a little longer" + two hearts emojis somehow give me hope that the Czech Republic won´t withdraw.
Why should he be teasing an announcement if the outcome is sad for all ESC fans?

 

[Geborgenheit]

Latvia would lose nothing by skipping Eurovision 2023.

 

[Miss Antartica]

For me 37 countries

 

[Bobjan FR]

And the 37 wins !

Basically, it's exactly the countries of last year, without the 3 who officialised their non-participation, so no change at all.