UK entry to Eurovision was made by James Newman (Image: Rex)
The BBC rejected viewers’ complaints that the Eurovision Song Contest was “political” and “a waste of license fees”.
The contest, which aired on the BBC, was held in Rotterdam last week with a reduced schedule after organizers canceled the event in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rock band Måneskin won the trophy for Italy with song Zitti E Buoni, but it was a disappointing night for the UK as singer James Newman didn’t get a single point for entering the Embers.
The presenter responded to complaints about the event, saying that “the accusation that voting in the competition is” political “is not new.
She added in a statement that Eurovision was “profitable” given the viewership of the final which attracted on May 22.
A post on the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit page states: “ Since the Eurovision Song Contest first appeared on our television in 1956, the competition has remained a staple spring program for the BBC.
Italian Måneskin won this year’s contest and his song Zitti E Buoni (Photo: Backgrid)
The accusation that voting in the competition is “political” is not new. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is strongly committed to ensuring the fairness of the Eurovision Song Contest and has implemented a wide range of measures to ensure this.
Eurovision is the world’s most watched live non-sports event, and the 2021 competition has provided BBC viewers with more than eight hours of content across three programs. BBC One Grand Final attracted an average of 7.4 million viewers. It’s very lucrative for a popular prime-time entertainment show. “
More: BBC
Meanwhile, James took the Eurovision score a big step, although he recently admitted he had “envisioned” winning it for the UK before his performance.
When asked if he expected to get any points overnight, the singer said he “couldn’t say” because he “was so positive”.
He explained, “I was trying to visualize victory so that I could add a positive touch to everything.”
You can not say. By writing songs and singing to people, you cannot guarantee that you will communicate with the audience.
I think, for me, I just wanted to do my best and we definitely did. My whole team was amazing. It was a great moment. I will not exchange it for the world.
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