AVROTROS has scheduled alternative Eurovision programming to fill the slots left due to the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
Four Eurovision related programmes have been scheduled on NPO1 for the week that the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 would have taken place during. AVROTROS is one of a number of broadcasters this week to start to announce shows that replace the now cancelled contest. The shows scheduled are:
- May 9 – The Eurovision Song Contest 1975 – The contest was the last won by the Netherlands before Duncan Laurence’s victory in Tel Aviv
- May 12 – Op weg naar de winst – Documentary hosted by Cornald Maas
- May 16 – M Songfestival – Talk show
- May 16 – Beste zangers – songfestival – Repeat of the special which was broadcast last year featuring OG3NE, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Glennis Grace, Jan Dulles, Gerard Joling, Willeke Alberti, Edsilia Rombley and Jeroen van der Boom
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was scheduled to take place in at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam on the May 12, 14 and 16. The Netherlands won the right to host the competition following their win in 2019 with Duncan Laurence and the song “Arcade”.
Source: Songfestival.be
The Netherlands debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and has gone on to compete in all bar four contests. To date the Netherlands has won the contest on five occasions; 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975 and most recently 2019. Prior to Duncan Laurence’s victory in Tel Aviv, the Netherlands had been waiting 44 years for their next victory. Duncan Laurence won the contest in Israel with the song “Arcade”.