Eurovision this month: First participants, the slogan and more

31 October 2019 at 10:21 CET

Blas Cantó, Spain's 2020 artist RTVE

In the month of October, Hooverphonic and Blas Cantó were announced as the first participants for Eurovision 2020, Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand announced that he will step down from his position after Rotterdam, the Dutch Host Broadcaster revealed their slogan 'Open Up' and Mahmood's 'Soldi' became the most-streamed Eurovision song ever. This is the October 2019 edition of 'Eurovision This Month', a new editorial series in which we wrap up the month.

With fall in full swing and preparations for 2020 well underway, we are gearing up towards the 65th edition of the Contest.

Hooverphonic to represent Belgium

Public broadcaster VRT had the honour of announcing the first Eurovision Song Contest 2020 participant. The Belgians selected Hooverphonic to represent their country in Rotterdam. The band is currently working on their participating song which will be performed in English. The final version will be revealed early next year. Read more about that here.

Blas Cantó will represent Spain

The second artist announced for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 is Blas Cantó, who will represent Spain. Just 2 weeks after confirming that the Spanish entry for 2020 would be chosen through an internal selection, public broadcaster RTVE surprised Europe with an early announcement. Read more about that here.

Jon Ola Sand will step down as Executive Supervisor

On the last day of September, Jon Ola Sand - the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor since 2011 - announced that the 2020 Contest will be his last in this role. As work continues on the 65th Contest, the EBU will conduct a selective search for Jon Ola’s successor.

“The past decade at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has been fantastic and exciting, but it will also be good to come home,” Jon Ola said. Read more here.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest EBU/Thomas Hanses

'Open Up' - The slogan for Eurovision 2020

The slogan for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was unveiled during Dutch tv programme De Wereld Draait Door.

“The slogan ‘Open Up’ is intentionally incomplete: Open up to each other. Open up to music. Open up to Rotterdam. Open up to... whatever you choose! Feel the freedom to complete the slogan in your own way. That way we get to know each other better,” says Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Read more here.

Soldi becomes most-streamed Eurovision song of all-time

In mid-October, the Italian Eurovision 2019 entry Soldi by Mahmood reached the most streams of any Eurovision song on streaming platform Spotify.

Buranovskiye Babushki singer Natalya Pugacheva dies at 83

Buranovskiye Babushki, Russia's 2012 participants described as a group of grannies from Udmurtia, lost beloved member Natalya Pugacheva on 26 October. The group became known in 2008 after being featured on Russian television for their covers of Russian and Western popular songs by Aquarium, Kino, The Beatles, Queen, and Shocking Blue.