In the United Kingdom, an average audience of 1.3 million viewers watched as the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 kicked off in Vienna, Austria.
An average audience of 1.3 million viewers followed the first Semi-Final of the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC One. The number of viewers is down by 253,000 compared to the equivalent show in 2025 and is the lowest audience recorded for a Semi-Final since the broadcasts moved from BBC Three and BBC Four to BBC One.
The United Kingdom was not competing in last nights show as they are one of the automatic finalists. Look Mum No Computer will perform live as a guest during Semi-Final Two on Thursday evening and will compete in the Grand Final on May 16. Find out more about Look Mum No Computer below:
Source: Liam Hamilton
The United Kingdom debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 and holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the contest. To date, the UK has won the contest a total of five times, with their first victory coming in 1967 and their latest in 1997. The UK holds the record for the most second-place finishes in the contest, having been runner-up a total of 16 times. Since 2000 the UK has finished within the top 10 only three times, this being in 2002 with Jessica Garlick, 2009 with Jade Ewen and 2022 with Sam Ryder who finished 2nd in Turin.
