The British national broadcasters, BBC, has confirmed that the United Kingdom will participate at the forthcoming  2020 Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands next year.

Thus the UK joins the list of countries who have so far confirmed their participation at the 2020 Eurovision edition in Holland.

The BBC will be collaborating with music company BMG in its quest to find a song and act to represent the United Kingdom at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest.

The 2020 British Eurovision entry will be published and released by BMG

Kate Phillips (Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC) says:

Our commitment to finding the right song has never been higher and this collaboration with BMG, who have access to world class songwriters, is a genuinely exciting prospect and I am certain that together we can find the best song and artist possible for 2020.

Mel Balac (Creative Director for BBC Studios) says:

The Eurovision Song Contest is a huge global event and our collaboration with BMG marks an important turning point for the UK at Eurovision. We very much hope this marks the start of an exciting new chapter.

Alistair Norbury (President, Repertoire & Marketing UK for BMG) says:

Eurovision is the biggest television showcase for music in the world and it’s an honour to be selected to help choose the UK’s entry at Rotterdam 2020. Eurovision plays to our strength as the only fully-integrated publishing company and record label. We can’t wait to get started working with the BBC to give it the best possible shot we can.

The United Kingdom in Eurovision

The United Kingdom debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 and has won the competition five times (1967, 1969, 1975, 1981, 199). The country has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 62 times and has enjoyed great succes in Europe’s favorite television show. The UK hold the record of being the country who has placed 2nd the most times in the competition, namely 15 times.

Many big names have flown the British flag at the Eurovision Song Contest: Sandie Shaw, Olivia Newton John, Lulu, Buckz Fizz, Brotherhod of Man, Cliff Richard, Clodagh Rogers, Mary Hopkin, Michael Ball, Sonia, Gina G, Bonny Tyler etc.

In 2019 the United Kingdom selected its Eurvovision act and entry via a national final. The UK selected Michael Rice to fly the British flag at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. Despite a great performance the UK finished last in the Grand Final.