(Toronto) Canada gets its own version of the often extravagant musical spectacle “Eurovision Song Contest”.
Posted at 6:04 p.m.
The organizers of the multinational event announce that “Eurovision Canada” will be presented for the first time in 2023.
It will feature musical artists and bands from every province and territory performing their own songs in various genres.
Like the original, participants will compete in a series of qualifying competitions, leading to the semi-finals and the grand final.
Spin-off production is expected to be done by ASC Inc., as well as Toronto-based Insight Productions known for The Amazing Race Canada and Big Brother Canada.
The broadcaster and host will be announced in the coming weeks.
Although this marks the start of Eurovision in Canada, it will not be the first time that the event has been marked by Canadian talent. At 20, Celine Dion won the “Eurovision Song Contest” in 1988 while representing Switzerland.
Eurovision has a long history in Europe where it was created in 1956 as part of an effort to unite European countries after World War II through cross-border television programming.
Over the years it has helped launch the international careers of ABBA, Julio Iglesias and, most recently in 2021, Italian rock band Måneskin. It also earned a reputation for offbeat performances featuring flamboyant costumes and sets.
Earlier this year, NBC launched a TV spin-off dubbed American Song Contestwith artists from each of the 50 states competing for a top prize to be awarded on May 9.
Insight Productions writer-producer Lindsay Cox called Canada the “perfect home” for the next iteration of the competition.
“The phenomenal songwriting and the extraordinary musicality of this country can oppose any other in the world,” said Mr.me Cox Monday in a statement.
Eurovision has amassed a significant number of online subscribers outside of its broadcast countries and was the focus of Netflix’s 2020 comedy from Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.