BBC Studios has retained the contract to produce the Eurovision television coverage for the BBC.
It means production will remain in Media City.
The show was tendered out as part of the BBC’s contestability requirements, to open up the corporation’s content to more competition and get best value for audiences.
Launched in February, the BBC said there was “strong competition” but that the BBC Studios’ bid scored highest against the published criteria.
The contract runs for 2 years from May 2026 and is to produce the live UK coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest which is traditionally 2 x 120’ episodes (Semi-Finals) and 1 x 220’ episode (the Grand Final).
BBC Studios will also work alongside the BBC in the selection of the UK act, and oversee their performance.
“Eurovision is one of the key annual events that brings the nation together and we look forward to working with BBC Studios to deliver its ongoing success in the years ahead,” said Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC.
“This was an extremely competitive process and we would like to commend the shortlisted producers for the high quality and comprehensive proposals they put forward.”
Should the UK manage to get more than nul points during the lifetime of the tender and actually win the competition, as host broadcaster, the BBC would run another tender to select the producer of the Global Eurovision Song Contest event.
But, don’t hold your breath….
