New show ‘Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light’ announced

Kyriakos Tsinivits

Apr 1, 20202 min read

Over night the EBU and the Dutch members NPO, NOS and AVROTROS announced a new show called, ‘Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light’ which will air on May 16 to replaced the cancelled Eurovision Song Contest 2020 Grand Final show. This new show is to bring all the Eurovision audiences together for one night.

The new show will be in a non-competitive format and it will honour all 41 songs with plenty of surprises planned for fans and viewers at home.

The show will be presented by same announced Dutch presenters for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit.

‘Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light’ will unite all the Eurovision 2020 artists, from their home locations in a performance of a past Eurovision hit song to suit the current climate we are in right now.

It has also been announced that previous Eurovision artists will all be invited to perform Eurovision songs from “iconic European locations”.

The Executive Supervisor of the Contest on behalf of the EBU, Jon Ola Sand, said in a statement: "Sadly there will be no Eurovision Song Contest this year. Instead, we intend to unite Europe on 16 May with a unique prime-time TV programme. We are encouraging all broadcasters who were due to take part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and EBU Members in other countries, to air this show in the spirit of unity and togetherness.” The Executive Producer Event of the now cancelled Eurovision Song Contest 2020, Sietse Bakker said in a statement:

“We want to make a show that puts a spotlight not only on the 41 artists that were due to appear in Rotterdam but also inspire those at home and connect people from across Europe and beyond in these difficult times. Of course, we will also honour those who are affected by the coronavirus crisis and those who work so hard to fight it. Let’s make this an unforgettable moment in Eurovision history!” Additional details on the show will be revealed over the next few weeks including the confirmation of the line-up, and the broadcasters that will air the show live. The show will be also broadcast on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.