Strong lede, expansive and gives a fulsome overview of the History of the Eurovision Song Contest.
A Competitive overview consisting of Year,Host broadcaster(s), Venue, Host city, Countries and Winning country follows the lede.
Competition overview
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An attractive summary listing follows giving the above-mentioned details.
A good summary and introduction to the article.
This part is illustrated by images of arenas that have hosted the final. \
Origins
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A history of the formation of the European Broadcasting Union is given, along with the first use of the word Eurovision by a commentator.
A number of early international exchange programmes are listed, laying the foundation of the EBU.
The formation of a "Programme Committee" to investigate new initiatives for cooperation is detailed.
1950s
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The first contest in 1956 (Italy) is detailed.
The (then) participation and voting is explained
No known video footage of the event is known to survive.
1958 marked the first time that the winning country of the previous edition was given the honour of hosting, setting a precedent that continues to be observed.
1960s
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1960 saw the BBC host for the first time, and competing countries grow to 13.
1961 saw the first contest to be held on a Saturday night, which has now become the standard time-slot for the contest's final.
1962 sees a new voting system was implemented at this contest, with each country now giving 3, 2 and 1 points to the top three songs.
1965: A record 18 countries competed in this anniversary event, with Sweden making its return and Ireland making its debut.
1966: Black Lives Matter: Milly Scott represented the Netherlands
1970s
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1970 introduces a tie-breaking convention in order to prevent joint winners;
1971 saw the introduction of a video entry for each participant (or group);
1972 sees the contest broadcast in 28 countries, and for the first time was available live in Asia;
1973 after the Munich Olympic shootings and the entry of Israel: the audience had been warned not to stand during the show at the risk of being shot.
1975 sees Sweden as host and a new voting system.
1976 all competing countries were now required to contribute to the costs of running Eurovision;
1979 sees Israel as Host and Winner.
1980s
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1981 sees a worldwide audience of around 500 million viewers expected, with some 30 countries taking the broadcast across Europe, Asia and North Africa;
1985 was the first contest to be broadcast live via satellite;
1986 It becomes apparent that religious festivals in various countries precludes national participation;
1990s
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1990 The rules block anyone below the age of 16 on the day of the contest;
1991 Germany made its first appearance as a unified country;
1993 Breakup of the Soviet Union: the first Eurovision pre-selection took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 3 April;
1994 New entries from Lithuania, Poland and Russia
1996 29 countries entered in total, with all competing nations and Norway voting and deciding the 22 countries which would advance in the final.
1998: The first result widely determined by the viewing public saw Israel, the UK and Malta vie for first place...
2000s
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2000 the first contest to be broadcast live via the internet;
2001 Estonia became the first country from the former Eastern Bloc to win ;
2003 the last contest to be held over a single evening;
2004 the relegated countries from 2003 being joined by Albania, Andorra, Belarus and Serbia and Montenegro in their debut appearances;
2005 39 countries competed in total, with debut entries from Moldova and Bulgaria;
2007 42 countries competed in the contest, with entries from the Czech Republic, Georgia, Montenegro and Serbia,
2010s
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2010 saw the mix of jury and televoting as seen in the 2009 final extended into the semi-finals, each with an equal stake in determining the 10 qualifiers in each semi-final;
2014 The bearded drag queen's victory proved controversial among some;
2015 27 countries would compete in the largest final ever seen in the contest;
2016 voting system was transformed for the first time in over 30 years;
2017 Salvador Sobral earning the biggest points total ever seen in Eurovision;
2020s
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2020 cancelled due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 set to be held on 18, 20 and 22 May 2021 at the Rotterdam Ahoy
In response to the ongoing pandemic, multiple contingency scenarios are being developed by the host broadcasters and the EBU
Notes
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Noted
References
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sampled; appropriate
Further Reading
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Noted
External Links
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Noted
End Matter
Is it is Broad in its coverage?
More than broad, it represents a history of Europe in the modern era, a history of broadcasting, satellite television and now live streaming via Internet.
The 1960's delicately unfolds political interference towards the end of that decade.
The incursion of national religious events is also noted.