Germany is gearing up for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with an extensive broadcasting schedule from ARD. The German public broadcaster is collaborating with Austrian (ORF) and Swiss (SRF) counterparts to deliver a truly international viewing experience for the milestone event. The Grand Final, set for 16 May, will be the highlight of a week filled with special programming.
Vienna hosts the 70th Eurovision Song Contest
The countdown is well and truly on for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Vienna, Austria, under the inspiring motto “United by Music”. Germany’s public broadcaster, ARD, is preparing for comprehensive coverage, with the Grand Final scheduled to be broadcast live on Das Erste on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at 21:00 CET from the Wiener Stadthalle.
This year marks a significant change for Germany’s Eurovision involvement, as Südwestrundfunk (SWR) takes the lead within the ARD network for the first time, in collaboration with Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) and Hessischer Rundfunk (hr). Germany will be represented by Sarah Engels, who will perform her song “Fire” on the Eurovision stage. The contest is set to unite 35 nations and is expected to draw over 160 million viewers worldwide.
Clemens Bratzler,(SWR Programme Director) expressed his enthusiasm:
“The entire SWR team is working and eagerly anticipating the ESC in Vienna. It is both a joy and a challenge to now, for the first time, help shape this European media event at the highest level as the new lead within ARD. The ESC not only stands for cohesion and peaceful coexistence, but it is also a fascinating cooperation project. This is also reflected in the joint accompanying programme for the ESC final, which we as ARD are producing together with ORF as host and SRF – for millions of people in the three DACH countries.”
Extensive Broadcast Schedule and International Co-production
ARD’s coverage kicks off with the Grand Final broadcast, “Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Das Finale aus Wien”, on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at 21:00 CET on Das Erste and in the ARD Mediathek. Thorsten Schorn returns as the German commentator for the third consecutive year.
Leading up to the final, Barbara Schöneberger will host “Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Der Countdown” at 20:15 CET on 16 May 2026, immediately after the Tagesschau. This show, co-produced with ORF and SRF, will be broadcast live from the Museumsquartier in Vienna and will feature talk guests including Austrian ESC participant from 2018, Cesár Sampson, comedian Thomas Hermanns, and Luca Hänni, who represented Switzerland in 2019.
Following the Grand Final, Barbara Schöneberger and her guests will return for “Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Die Aftershow” from 01:00 CET on 17 May. Also live from the Museumsquartier, this show will recap the most memorable moments, best performances, biggest surprises, and emotional highlights of the evening, airing on Das Erste, ORF, and SRF.
Semi-Finals and Pre-Shows on ARD ONE
Both semi-finals will be broadcast live on ARD ONE and in the ARD Mediathek. The First Semi-Final, featuring Germany’s Sarah Engels, airs on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at 21:00 CET. The Second Semi-Final follows on Thursday, 14 May 2026, also at 21:00 CET.
Before each semi-final, SWR3 presenter and ESC expert Constantin Zöller will host a dedicated pre-show live from the Museumsquartier in Vienna. “Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Die Show zum 1. Halbfinale” and “Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Die Show zum 2. Halbfinale” will air on ARD ONE and in the ARD Mediathek at 20:15 CET on 12 and 14 May 2026, respectively. Zöller will be joined by ESC experts Carolin Worbs and Miguel Robitzky to introduce and analyse the acts. All shows from the Museumsquartier will include a studio audience, ensuring an infectious ESC atmosphere.
Accessibility and Special Events
ARD is committed to making the Eurovision Song Contest accessible to all. All broadcasts will include subtitles, audio description, and German Sign Language (DGS). For the semi-finals and the Grand Final, the songs will also be interpreted through Deaf Performance, an artistic form that makes music and lyrics accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences through sign language, dance, and visual movements. This enhanced accessibility applies to both TV broadcasts and live streams.
In addition to the extensive TV coverage, SWR is hosting a special public viewing event in Karlsruhe, at the Schwarzwaldhalle, on 16 May 2026. This music event will feature live performances from Michael Schulte, Abor & Tynna, before a joint viewing of the Grand Final from Vienna. SWR3 presenter Sebastian “Basti” Müller and SWR3 DJ Josh Kochhann will keep the party atmosphere going. Michael Schulte will also connect live from Karlsruhe to the “Countdown” show on Das Erste. Tickets for this event are available for €10.
70 Years of Eurovision: A Special Documentary
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, ARD will air the 90-minute documentary “70 Jahre ESC – More than Music”. This vibrant journey through seven decades of the contest explores why the ESC is far more than just a musical competition. It features personal insights from renowned personalities such as host and comedian Hape Kerkeling, past ESC participants Nana Mouskouri, Nicole, Guildo Horn, Jamala, Johnny Logan, Mr. Lordi, Tom Neuwirth (aka Conchita Wurst), commentators Peter Urban and Olli Schulz, fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, and composer/producer Ralph Siegel. The documentary premieres on Das Erste on Monday, 11 May 2026, at 20:15 CET, and will be available in the ARD Mediathek from 8 May 2026.
