NEW YORK, NY – Logo today announced that for the second consecutive year, the network will be the exclusive U.S. broadcast home of the Eurovision Song Contest when it airs the 62nd annual Grand Final live and commercial free on Saturday, May 13 at 3PM ET / 12PM PT. Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews, judges on the Emmy® Award-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” will serve as Logo’s commentators. Throughout the three-hour live broadcast, the Logo hosts will offer background on the event and contextualize the competition for American audiences while introducing them to contestants from each of the competing countries. The 2017 Grand Final competition and winner’s ceremony will also be streamed live exclusively for U.S. viewers at http://www.logotv.com/eurovision-song-contest, Logo’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/logoTV and the LogoTV mobile app.
“Logo is proud to return as the exclusive U.S. broadcast home for the global phenomenon that is the Eurovision Song Contest,” said Pamela Post, SVP of Programming for Logo. “This cultural gem has taken worldwide audiences by storm and we’re thankful to once again partner with EBU so our viewers can watch the Grand Final live.”
“The EBU is thrilled to be partnering with Logo for the second year running to bring the unique spectacle of the Eurovision Song Contest LIVE to US audiences once again,” said Jon Ola, Executive Supervisor of Eurovision Song Contest. “We know that the Contest has a lot of dedicated fans in the United States and we’re excited that thanks to Logo even more viewers this year can discover the excitement of the world’s longest running annual TV music competition and “celebrate diversity” with audiences around the world.”
The Eurovision Song Contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union, is the world’s largest non-sporting live TV event and the most watched live entertainment program in Europe, attracting over 200 million television viewers worldwide last year alone. The 2017 Grand Final competition, following the theme “Celebrate Diversity,” will be held in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The competition will feature acts representing 42 countries battling for the coveted trophy as well as the chance to host next year’s contest in their home country.
Eurovision is known for its eclectic mix of power ballads, ethnic rhythms, and bubblegum pop, paired with intricate lighting sequences, pyrotechnics, and elaborate costumes. Over its storied 62 year history, the contest has catapulted the likes of ABBA, Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John, Julio Iglesias, and Cliff Richard to stardom. Ukrainian singer Jamala claimed the top prize in 2016 with her critically praised folk fusion song, “1944,” while Måns Zelmerlöw of Sweden wowed audiences in 2015 with his song “Heroes.”
Since its inauguration in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has brought together artists and viewers from across the European continent to create a sense of community and celebrate diversity of culture. Each participating member broadcaster of the European Broadcasting Union is permitted to enter one original song into the contest, which is aired live on television, radio, and the internet across the world, and then voted on by professional juries and televoters.
The 62nd annual Eurovision Song Contest is produced by the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) and will be held at the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine.
