Eurovision 2021 | Rotterdam, Netherlands (NPO/AVROTROS/NOS)

[Jon]

I suspect though it is the same justification for radio as TV - a night of low cost content, and in the case of Radio 2 it is probably more about the content they can put out leading up to it.

Well the TV justification is also that it rates rather well. It probably isn’t cheaper than what would usually being going out in that time slot though but it’s probably a tiny percentage of the BBC expenditure on the event to send Ken out there.

Of course on a station like Radio 2 there is scope to do something different as the schedule is a bit more eclectic than commercial radio and so makes sense from point of view.

I imagine those who make a point of listening to it on Radio 2 fit into a few categories. You’d have those who just listen for Ken, he has or had the most listened to radio show in the country at one of the most recent RAJARs, in the same way some people used to say they ‘just watch for Terry’ on the TV version and no doubt some do for Graham still. You’d have a few who happen to be travelling or working that usually enjoy the programme on TV. I’d imagine some have it on in a second room such as a kitchen without a TV, particularly during Eurovision parties. Probably a handful try to sync it up to the TV too, but I can’t imagine numbers being that to that effort being that big.

Whilst they probably couldn’t tell via RAJAR, they’d certainly have other indicators like texts as well as streaming data these days to compare with what the station would usually be getting in those slots.

I could see Rylan taking the radio gig as he already does Eurovision stuff and Radio 2 on a Saturday. Then again they might decide to pair him and Scott up and match TV semi-final line up. Paddy O’Connell also seems to do quite a bit on Radio 2 so he’d be another contender. That all assumes that all those things remain the same when Ken does leave of course.

[Brekkie]

Have they ever offered the Radio 2 commentary as a red button option on the TV coverage?

Paddy O'Connell far more likely to end up with the radio gig than TV where he has very little presence these days.

[James Martin]

Red Button has offered Ken once or twice but not for a while. In 2002 BBC Choice aired an alternative commentary with Jenny Éclair who stood in last minute after the passing of Christopher Price, with a pre and post show - stuff like Jessica's team turning up to the afterparty. It worked much better when they did that than try and shoehorn the content into the semis ad break windows. Lorraine Kelly did a similar show in 2003 with Jemini putting nearly as brave a face on their Nil Points as James Newman did, and Alf Poier for Austria swore. So rock and roll. Not dissimilar to the studio bits on the semis this year but with better experts.

No Cheryl Baker but we do have the BBC's other perennial go-to girl, Sweet Dreams' Carrie Grant - although this was the era of Fame Academy.

https://youtu.be/bABMGcwdolo

Ana Matronic did the radio semis coverage when Radio 2 Eurovision was a thing for a couple of years, although I think only Semi 2 ever got aired as the channel ran Thu-Sat. She also did semis TV coverage with Scott in 2013.

Ken's an interesting one - he openly admits that he doesn't even bother with the semi finals.

I did like R2 ESC, but as Brekkie has mentioned, even with Graham not on their books now it's far easier and cleaner to just go all out on R2 itself.

[all new Phil]

I’d love to see Ana Matronic back again, I’m a big fan of hers. Saw her do a DJ set once and she’s pure class.

[James Martin]

Martin O has said he wants the UK back at JESC.

Could CBBC be persuaded to step up? The whole "cultural exchange" aspect and other values of JESC would tick a lot of PSB boxes surely?

[TIGHazard]

Martin O has said he wants the UK back at JESC.

Could CBBC be persuaded to step up? The whole "cultural exchange" aspect and other values of JESC would tick a lot of PSB boxes surely?

I think the best you would get is a simulcast such as the first series of Saturday Mash-Up.

(Also would there be Ofcom issues with the flashing lights on a children's channel?)

[James Martin]

Eurovision Again returns next Saturday:

https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovisionagain-returns

[BcastCornwall]

LEGO Eurovision just launched .... Hilarious especially one element of the voting sequence

https://youtu.be/WmhKf-x8LIs

[adamiow]

LEGO Eurovision just launched .... Hilarious especially one element of the voting sequence

It's been done very well - loved the little touches during the voting! If only real Eurovision was that quick!

[william]

Love how they've preserved the aspect ratio change for Portugal.

[gottago]

I notice the UK Head of Delegation has moved up from Series Producer, which is what he was on Eurovision, to Executive Producer of the next series of I Can See Your Voice. Now it could be that the BBC bring him back next year to carry on being HoD but as a more expensive Exec Producer; or if they don't have the money for that it could well be that we have a new HoD taking over.

[RhysJR]

Måneskin’s march towards global domination continues as they secure a number 7 hit on the United Kingdom’s Official Singles Chart with their song ‘I Wanna Be Your Slave’. Their Eurovision winner ‘Zitti E Buoni’ sits at 57 this week, having peaked at 17.

https://eurovision.tv/story/maneskin-crack-uk-top-10

[James Martin]

I notice the UK Head of Delegation has moved up from Series Producer, which is what he was on Eurovision, to Executive Producer of the next series of I Can See Your Voice. Now it could be that the BBC bring him back next year to carry on being HoD but as a more expensive Exec Producer; or if they don't have the money for that it could well be that we have a new HoD taking over.

I'm not sure whether that's Andrew Cartmell or Lee Smithurst but I think new blood is required across the board. My understanding from a podcast interview with Lee at Christmas is that Lee did a lot of the creative stuff and was across the artist and act and oversaw our actual entry, but Andrew was across the coverage.

It's fair to say the entry fell short but whilst the BBC One programme was good, the BBC Four coverage was once again at best questionable. The LoD parody and dodgy Zoom chats were a new low point. Who is ultimately deciding "we're going to cut away from the world feed and do our own content?"

The fact the semis aren't on at least BBC Two is itself a joke, mind you. Personally I'd like them on BBC One - maybe if Andy Murray commentated it would happen... :lol:

[James Martin]

Belarus have been suspended from the EBU.

https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/06/30/belaru...urovision/

[Meteor]

I thought the coverage of the semis on BBC4 was great ?‍♂️. It correctly identified that Eurovision is a laugh, not a serious competition (although the acts obviously take pride in their work). It's not sport.