The BBC is aiming to “amplify” its Eurovision coverage ahead of producing and hosting the event for the first time in 25 years next May.
The broadcaster is taking on the responsibility of hosting Eurovision after Ukraine was stripped of the right to do so earlier this year due to the ongoing war in the country.
Speaking exclusively to The Euro Trip, Rachel Ashdown, Lead Commissioner for the BBC’s Eurovision output, said she is working with colleagues to increase coverage of the event.
“My role is mainly working with BBC Studios who are delivering the contest,” she said.
“I’m also working with our colleagues at UA:PBC on how we’re going to actually celebrate Ukraine’s win this year. That’s what we can’t forget, the reason the BBC is making this is because Ukraine can’t host the song contest.
“[We are] having regular meetings with them [UA:PBC] to make sure their position as the winners is celebrated.
“On top of that, for the domestic market I’m working with colleagues in the domestic services in the BBC to see how we can amplify Eurovision in the months in the runup to May.”
Details of increased Eurovision coverage across the BBC have already been announced. The Semi Finals of the contest will be broadcast on the corporation’s flagship channel BBC One for the first time. The Semi Final Allocation Draw in January is also set to be broadcast across BBC services, so too the Opening Ceremony in May.
Ashdown would not be drawn on further details of Eurovision output but celebrated the increase in viewers The One Show saw on the night it broadcast the host city announcement.
Speaking at a panel discussion at a British Film Institution Eurovision event last weekend attended by The Euro Trip, Ashdown celebrated the ongoing growth of the contest on the BBC.
24million people engaged with Eurovision across BBC television, radio and online services last year.
Earlier this month, The One Show saw an increase in viewers on the night it broadcast the host city announcement.
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