Eurovision Song Contest comes to the US

EBU

Logo announced today that the network will be the first U.S. home of the annual Eurovision Song Contest and will air the 61st annual Grand Final live and commercial free on Saturday, May 14 at 3PM ET on Logo. The 2016 Grand Final competition and winner’s ceremony will also be streamed exclusively in the U.S. on www.logotv.com and the LogoTV mobile app.

The Eurovision Song Contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union, is the world’s largest non-sporting live TV event and the most watched live entertainment program in Europe, attracting nearly 200 million television viewers worldwide last year alone. This year’s spectacular 2016 Grand Final competition, celebrating the theme “Come Together,” will be held in Stockholm, Sweden. The competition will feature acts representing 42 countries battling for the coveted trophy as well as the chance to host next year’s contest in their home country.

Eurovision is known for its eclectic mix of power ballads, ethnic rhythms, and bubblegum pop, paired with intricate lighting sequences, pyrotechnics, and elaborate costumes. Over its storied 60 year history, the contest has catapulted the likes of Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John, Julio Iglesias, and ABBA to stardom. Last year’s winner Måns Zelmerlöw of Sweden wowed audiences with his song “Heroes,” and two years ago viewers across the world were blown away when Eurovision’s 2014 champion, Conchita Wurst of Austria, took home the trophy after a performance of “Rise Like a Phoenix.” Conchita ignited a wave of buzz as the first drag performer to win the contest.

Each member country of the European Broadcasting Union will submit a song to be performed during two Eurovision Semi-Finals. Winners of the Semi-Finals move on to compete in the 2016 Grand Final competition on Saturday, May 14. This year’s winner will be chosen based on a brand new voting system. In the biggest change to Eurovision voting since 1975, professional juries and televoters will award a separate set of points to each performance and ensure the finale winner will remain unpredictable up until the last moment.

The 61st annual Eurovision Song Contest is produced by Swedish Host Broadcaster, SVT, and will be held at the Globe Arena in Stockholm.