Denmark wants to modernise the Eurovision Song Contest

"Emotions", "closeness", "party" are just some of the words used by Jan Lagermand Lundme to describe his vision for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May next year.

DR's web team had a talk with the Head of Show about what his vision is for next year's shows.  

"We want to get closer!"

That's the vision of Jan Lagermand Lundme, who is responsible for the TV show, when Denmark and Copenhagen host the Eurovision Song Contest next year.

Today, when Copenhagen was revealed as the host broadcaster, he unveiled for the first time DR's vision for the contest, which this year was watched by 170 million people.

"We want to get closer to the people taking part and we want to get closer to the competition", said Jan Lagermand Lundme to DR's web team.

More emotions, please

The Eurovision Song Contest is the world's oldest TV format and Jan Lagermand Lundme wishes to modernise the show whilst still respecting all the traditions.

"We can challenge the format by allowing the viewers to get closer. In Denmark we have a particular ability to convey emotions on TV and I hope that we can move the Eurovision Song Contest in that direction", he says.

"When attending the Eurovision Song Contest myself in recent years, I have experienced it myself: it means everything to the participants to be part of it and that is something we have to think about when we are producing the show. We want to show how much there is at stake for them and their country when they take part. We want emotions at the forefront", he explains.

Abolishing the postcards

An example of this is the so-called "postcards", or the small films that are shown before each participant goes on stage.

"We are going to get rid of the postcards and produce portraits instead. We don't want to show nice tourist films from Denmark or the participants' own countries, but instead use the 50 seconds to create a little portrait of the participant who is going on stage. The viewers will get to know them so they can feel what sort of person is performing and standing on stage", says Jan Lagermand Lundme.

Confetti and interesting stories

Even though the level of emotion will be turned up at next year's Eurovision Song contest, it won't be at the cost of the party, DR's Head of Show was quick to add.

"I've never ordered so much confetti before in my life! I can promise you that it will be a show with a party at full tempo. It won't be a Eurovision where it's all about how it just cannot get big enough. We of course want to produce a spectacular show, but at the same time want to focus on good storytelling and the people taking part, otherwise it won't matter", says Jan Lagermand Lundme.

Hosts with personality

Now that the host city has been found, the presenter(s) will be one of the next most important choices DR's Eurovision team will need to make.

"We often go after presenters that are good company and that the viewers want to party with. Also, it should be someone that has personality and something to offer", he says.

The Swedish organisers only had one host, Petra Mede, to spearhead their Eurovision Song Contest this year. Whether DR chooses the same model and when this will be announced is something Jan Lagermand Lunde does not want to reveal yet.

"I promise it will be decided before the first Semi-Final on the 6th of May, also probaly also before that", he says, smiling.

"The most important thing is to make the right choice and find hosts that suit the show and that can make us Danes proud".