FAQ

On this page you can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Eurovision Song Contest.
General questions
When is the next Eurovision Song Contest taking place?
The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will be the 63rd annual edition and will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. The Semi-Finals will take place on Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th May with the Grand Final on Saturday 12th May.
How can I reach the organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest?
Public inquiries, questions and suggestions can be sent to [email protected]. Media inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
Where can I buy tickets for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest?
Details of ticket sales for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will be announced in autumn 2017.
Why did Russia not take part in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest?
Following the official confirmation from the Ukrainian authorities that Russian Eurovision entrant, Julia Samoylova, was not permitted to travel to Kyiv to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, the EBU formally offered two alternative proposals to Channel One in a bid to find a solution that would enable Russia to continue their participation in this year’s event. Continue reading..
Where can I watch the Eurovision Song Contest?
You can watch the Semi-Finals and Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest live with every participating country’s public broadcaster. You can also watch the contest live via the official YouTube channel, without commentary.
Where can I find the full split results of the Eurovision Song Contest?
Looking for split jury voting and televoting results, or voting results of each individual jury member? Have a look at the full split results.
Marketing questions
How to request for permission to use the Eurovision Song Contest logo and theme artwork?
Information about the logo and theme artwork, as well as how to request for permission to use them, can be found on the Brand page.
Where to inquire about sponsorship opportunities around the Eurovision Song Contest?
International sponsorship of the Eurovision Song Contest is being coordinated by Highlight Event AG.
Can I organise a Eurovision Song Contest related event?
It is strictly prohibited to use the Eurovision trademark, the Eurovision Song Contest logo or theme artwork to publicly advertise an event, public or private, commercially or non-commercially, without the explicit written permission of the EBU.
Press questions
How and when can I apply for accreditation to the Eurovision Song Contest?
You can find more information about accreditation to the Eurovision Song Contest on the Accreditation page.
What are the terms for accreditation to the Eurovision Song Contest?
The terms for accreditation to the Eurovision Song Contest can be found on the Accreditation page. By submitting a request for accreditation you accept the Code of Conduct for accredited individuals.
Where can I download high-resolution images, logos and theme artwork?
A selection of high-resolution images is available free of charge on the Press page. These images may only be used by media for editorial purpose. It is mandatory to credit the photographer in accordance with the copyright information provided with each image.Logos and theme artwork of the Eurovision Song Contest are available on the Brand page. Please make sure you always follow the contest’s brand guidelines.
What kind of facilities are available at the Press Centre?
Traditionally, the Press Centre provides a wide variety of services and facilities to allow media representatives to cover the Eurovision Song Contest in the best possible way. More information about the facilities at the Press Centre can be found on the Press page as the contest approaches.
Website questions
How can I report a problem on your website?
Our online team is working hard to make sure you have an excellent experience on Eurovision.tv. Should you find an error or bug, please send us a message at [email protected].
Where can I follow the national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest?
A substantial amount of broadcasters organises televised national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest. Broadcasting these shows online is strongly encouraged by the EBU, but remains at the discretion of the respective broadcaster. Whenever a national selection is being streamed live online, we will make available a link to to the live stream via Eurovision.tv.
Why can’t I watch contests from before 2004 on the official YouTube channel?
The EBU only has the rights to the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004. Each previous contest is owned by its respective Host Broadcaster. Occasionally, we make available clips of historic material on the official YouTube channel. Unfortunately, recordings of the 1956 and 1964 contests have gotten lost over time.
Competition questions
How do you make sure the Eurovision Song Contest is fair?
The organisers have a variety of tools and measures in place to assure a fair competition and a valid result. You can find more information on our page about fairness.
How can I participate as an artist in the Eurovision Song Contest?
All entries to the Eurovision Song Contest are selected by the Participating Broadcasters. These are the Member Broadcasters of the EBU that take part in the Eurovision Song Contest. Some select their respective entry internally, while others organise public national selections. For more information about how to represent your country, we recommend you contact your national public broadcaster.
Why is Kosovo not participating in the Eurovision Song Contest?
Kosovo cannot take part in the Eurovision Song Contest because their public broadcaster is neither an Active or Associate Member of the EBU. The statutes of the EBU say that a Member must come from a country that is a Member of the International Telecommunications Union or is a Member of the Council of Europe. Kosovo is in neither. The EBU helped set up Kosovo’s public service broadcaster RTK in 1999 and it continues to work closely with RTK to protect public service media in Kosovo.
Why is Australia participating in the Eurovision Song Contest?
The Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast in Australia for more than 30 years. The Australian broadcaster SBS is an Associate Member of the EBU and in 2015, to mark the 60th Eurovision Song Contest, was invited to submit an entry. In 2016 the broadcaster requested to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest again. The Reference Group, the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, voted unanimously in favour of Australia’s participation in 2016 and 2017 respectively. It is yet to be decided whether Australia will become a permanent participant in the contest.
Organisation questions
Who organises the Eurovision Song Contest?
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual event organised under the auspices of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the largest union of public service media in the world. The EBU co-produces the Eurovision Song Contest together with its Member Broadcasters, most notably the public broadcaster of the preceding winning country, the Host Broadcaster.
How is the Eurovision Song Contest financed?
The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-profit event, mostly financed by:
contributions from the Participating Broadcasters (the so-called participation fee), adding up to €6.2 million combined. This fee is different for each country based on the solidarity principle that the strongest shoulders carry most weight. It is at the sole discretion of each Participating Broadcaster to decide if they wish to make public the financial details of their participation;
a contribution from the Host Broadcaster, which is generally between €10 and €20 million, depending on local circumstances and available resources.
a contribution from the Host City, either financially or ‘in kind’ (e.g. covering expenses of city branding, side events, security, etc.);
commercial revenu from sponsorship agreements, ticket sales, televoting and merchandise, which varies from year to year.
On average, over 90 percent of all available funds are being earmarked for the TV production and event organisation. Approximately 5% of available funds represent the budget for the EBU’s Eurovision Song Contest team and its partners. Any remaining funds are being reimbursed to the Participating Broadcasters, for as long local legislation allows such reimbursement.The budget is overlooked and approved by the Reference Group, on behalf of all Participating Broadcasters, on an annual basis.
How to get a job, traineeship or volunteer position within the organisation?
Job vacancies at the European Broadcasting Union can be found on EBU.ch. Generally, no traineeships are available. Jobs and volunteer positions at the Host Broadcaster may be advertised on its respective website.
Can I get access to the Eurovision Song Contest’s physical archive for the purpose of a thesis?
The Eurovision Song Contest’s physical archive is safely stored at the EBU’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. In principle, the archive is not open to the public. Exceptions may be made at a case-by-case basis, at the EBU’s sole discretion.
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