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- steven mcintosh
- entertainment reporter
Alesha Dixon (pictured in 2021) will officiate with Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina
It has been announced that for the first time the Eurovision Song Contest final will be televised live from cinemas across the UK.
Liverpool will host the competition on Saturday 13 May after two semi-finals earlier in the week.
Organizers say the screening will encourage costumes and chorus singing.
Live tickets for the Liverpool Arena Grand Final sold out in less than 40 minutes after they were released earlier this month.
It was also confirmed that TikTok will be the official entertainment partner of the competition for the second year in a row.
CinemaLive’s John Travers, who will distribute the event in cinemas, said the company was “delighted” to be working with the BBC to bring the competition to the big screen.
“We want the audience to enjoy it, come in groups, put on costumes, and enjoy this historic moment together on the big screen,” he said.
WATCH: Mae Muller’s song for Eurovision 2023 and fans’ reactions
Tickets for screenings at over 500 cinemas go on sale from Monday (27 March) at 10:00 BST.
Viewers can also catch a preview of the new BBC Three dating show I Kissed a Boy, hosted by Dannii Minogue, before the grand final kicks off at 20:00 BST.
The colors of the Ukrainian flag can be seen everywhere around Liverpool, including on the Superlambanana sculpture
The competition will take place in Liverpool, following last year’s British entrant Sam Ryder who was runner-up to the Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine preventing the winning country from hosting the 2023 race, organizers have instead said the UK will host it on their behalf.
contest will be hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina and chat show host Graham Norton, who also reviews Eurovision for UK TV viewers.
Lulu, Norton and last year’s UK contestant Sam Ryder recently joined a mock Eurovision panel for a sketch of comedy relief
Meanwhile, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that it has chosen TikTok to livestream the match and release exclusive performances and behind-the-scenes content.
Britain’s parliament said on Thursday it would block Chinese-owned apps from accessing its devices and networks due to security concerns.
EBU Eurovision Executive Director Martin Ostedal said: “Millions of new Eurovision fans discovered the competition through TikTok last year and we know this year’s extra special event in Liverpool will delight even more people. Excited.”
TikTok is also partnering with Visit Liverpool, after the city was chosen to represent last year’s winner Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
The social media app will promote the city’s street scene and host shows at Eurovision Village – the official fan zone – on Friday 12 May, the night before the grand finale.
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