The world’s biggest music competition returns this May as the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the longest-running and most-watched non-sporting events in the world, is broadcast live from Turin across the BBC.

In celebration of the most spectacular music contest on the planet, the BBC is promising viewers and listeners a huge array of Eurovision content across TV, Radio and Online.

And in Radio 2’s Eurovision: The Official All-Time Most Streamed - which lands today on BBC Sounds - Michelle Visage reveals that the all-time most streamed Eurovision song of all time is Arcade by Duncan Laurence (Netherlands, 2019) with ABBA’s Waterloo (Sweden, 1974) coming second, and Think About Things by Dadi Fryer (Iceland, 2020) in the bronze medal position.

Italy will play host to the 2022 contest following the country's victory in 2021 in Rotterdam with ‘Zitti E Buoni’ performed by Måneskin.

This year marks the 66TH edition of the competition, where 40 countries will compete, starting with two semi-finals that will be broadcast live on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 May, ahead of the Grand Final which will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Saturday 14 May.

As one of the Big Five countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy), the United Kingdom does not have to qualify from the semi-final stage of the competition and will gain automatic access to the Saturday Grand Final. Italy, as well as being part of the Big Five, are guaranteed a place in the final due to their victory at last year’s contest

TikTok sensation and singer-songwriter Sam Ryder will be representing the UK with his single ‘SPACE MAN’, released by Parlophone (part of Warner Music Group).

The result of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will be determined by a 50/50 vote. 50% of the votes come from the televoting in each participating country and the other 50% of votes will come from a group of five music professionals from each of the 40 countries taking part.

Director of Entertainment, Kate Phillips says: "The BBC continues to be the home of Eurovision in the UK, across TV, Radio and Online, and this year it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. We’re excited to welcome the semi-finals back to BBC Three, before the Grand Final itself live on BBC One and Radio 2, where we’ll announce the points of the UK national jury live from Salford for the first time ever. As well as all this, BBC Four and BBC Two will be showing some classic Eurovision specials from across the years, whilst Radio 2 continues to be the home of Eurovision on the airwaves. This year it’s been great to have Radio 1 on board, where they have been closely following Sam Ryder’s journey ever since the announcement back in March. We’ll be going behind the scenes in an exclusive documentary for iPlayer, Sam Ryder: From TikTok to Eurovision! Plus lots more brilliant content not to be missed this May on the BBC!’"

The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals and Grand Final continue to be amongst the most popular Entertainment programmes on the BBC, with the Grand Final in 2021 reaching an average audience of 7.8 million (BBC 30 Day All Screens) in the UK, making it the most watched since 2014.

Eurovision is also one of the most popular Entertainment programmes for younger audiences on the BBC, with 1.5 million 16-34 year olds tuning in for the Grand Final last year.

The BBC’s Eurovision coverage is a BBC Studios production, commissioned by Kate Phillips, Director of Entertainment. The Executive Producer and Head Of Delegation is Andrew Cartmell, and the series producer and Assistant Head of Delegation is Lee Smithurst. Suzy Lamb is the MD for BBC Studios Entertainment and Music. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Ashdown.

BBC One

Saturday 14 May, 8pm on BBC One

Graham Norton will provide the commentary on BBC One for Europe’s biggest party night of the year.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2022, will be hosted by global singing stars Mika and Laura Pausini, and Italian TV host Alessandro Cattelan and broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2. The qualifying acts from the semi-finals will join the ‘Big Five’ countries France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy - who are also guaranteed a place in the final due to their victory in 2021. The Grand Final of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast from The Pala Olimpico Arena in Turin.

Voting procedure

After viewers have cast their votes, each national spokesperson from the 40 participating countries will present the points of their professional jury live to the world. AJ Odudu will be the United Kingdom’s spokesperson, delivering the all-important results live from Salford for the very first time.

After the presentation of the scores from the juries, the televoting points from all participating countries will be combined, providing one score for each song. These televoting results will then be announced by the hosts building towards a dramatic climax as the winner of Eurovision 2022 is announced.

More details regarding the voting procedure and how you can get involved can be found at bbc.co.uk/eurovision

BBC Three

Semi-Finals

The semi-finals will be broadcast live on BBC Three, featuring commentary by Eurovision superfans Rylan and Scott Mills who will return to the Eurovision host city for the first time since 2019.

Tuesday 10 May, 8pm on BBC Three

In the first semi-final, the first group of countries will compete for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final.

The 17 countries competing are: Albania, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Moldova, Portugal, Croatia, Denmark, Austria, Iceland, Greece, Norway and Armenia.

The interval will have an Italo-Disco theme whereDardust, one of the most successful producers on the planet, will perform accompanied by DJ/producer Benny Benassi and British band Sophie and The Giants, with the participation of conductor Sylvia Catasta.

Highlights of the first semi-final include Subwoolfer, who are representing Norway, they claim to be the ‘biggest band in the galaxy’ and dress in black suits with iconic yellow wolf-head masks. They apparently hail from the moon and sing a catchy song ‘Give that wolf a banana’. Moldovan band Zdob si Zdub who’ll be competing at Eurovision for a third time are also competing, plus early favourites Kalush Orchestra the folk-rap band who are representing Ukraine will also perform in this semi-final.

Thursday 12 May, 8pm on BBC Three

The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will feature 18 different acts taking to the stage in the hope of securing a place in Saturday’s Grand Final.

Competing this evening are: Finland, Israel, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Australia, Cyprus, Ireland, North Macedonia, Estonia, Romania, Poland, Montenegro, Belgium, Sweden and Czech Republic

During the show, UK viewers will be able to vote for their favourites. 10 acts from each semi-final will make it through to Saturday’s Grand Final.

Highlights of the second semi-final include Finnish rockers The Rasmus, who will be opening the show, Serbia’s act Konstrakta, who are performing a song in Serbian about the lack of health insurance for the self-employed in Serbia. A Georgian band, Circus Mircus, who were formed by three circus school dropouts, plus early favourites Cornelia Jakobs from Sweden and Ochman from Poland.

Plus, The UK's act Sam Ryder will be interviewed by the Italian hosts and viewers will see an exclusive preview of the stage performance Sam will give for his song SPACE MAN' ahead of Saturday's Grand Final.

BBC Two

Saturday 14 May

The A-Z of Eurovision

First broadcast in 2020, Rylan narrates a guide to all things Eurovision in this compilation of highlights, as he takes a sideways look at the greatest singing contest on the planet.

Moving through the alphabet, Rylan will be taking us from A, which is of course for Abba & Azerbaijan but also animals - featuring the Italian gorilla suit man and Azerbaijan’s artist dancing with a horse’s head through Z is for Zelmerlöw, Måns Zelmerlöw to be precise. The only Eurovision performer to have won the contest, hosted the contest and taken part in an interval act.

The A-Z of Eurovision, first broadcast in 2020 and produced by BBC Studios, will feature all the disasters, the costume changes and memorable musical moments from 65 years of Eurovision.

Abba at the BBC

Abba at the BBC charts the meteoric rise of the band with some of their greatest performances at the BBC. We begin in 1974 with their Top of the Pops appearance; we even get to see the band entertaining holidaymakers in Torbay in a 1975 Seaside Special.

There are many classic ABBA tunes from the 1979 BBC special Abba in Switzerland and we even have ABBA's final BBC appearance on the Late Late Breakfast show in 1982.

This compilation is a must for all Abba fans and includes great archive interviews, promos and performances of some of Abba's classics from Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Does Your Mother Know, Thank You for the Music, S.O.S, Fernando and Chiquitita, plus many more.

BBC Radio 2

I can’t quite believe this will be my 34th time presenting Eurovision, and I’m thrilled that this year I’ll be able to once again make the trip to see the final live in the host country, Italy, having had to cover it from a Wogan House studio in 2022. Turin, I can’t wait to be there! And of course huge luck to the UK’s entry, Sam Ryder with SPACE MAN.
— Ken Bruce

BBC Radio 2 is the home of Eurovision 2022 on UK radio as shows across the network will be revving up to the live Eurovision Grand Final hosted by Ken Bruce. Ken will be broadcasting from Turin, introducing the 66th Eurovision Song Contest and bringing listeners each country’s performance from the world’s most adored song contest. Striving for UK Eurovision glory is Sam Ryder, with his song, SPACE MAN. And in what has now become a touching tradition, Ken will be toasting Sir Terry Wogan before contestant number nine’s performance (from 8pm until the end of the final, Saturday 14 May)

To encourage our millions of listeners get into the Eurovision mood, all of the pre-recorded specials will be available exclusively on BBC Sounds from 30 April as part of the ‘Celebrating Eurovision’ season.

Ken Bruce says: “I can’t quite believe this will be my 34th time presenting Eurovision, and I’m thrilled that this year I’ll be able to once again make the trip to see the final live in the host country, Italy, having had to cover it from a Wogan House studio in 2022. Turin, I can’t wait to be there! And of course huge luck to the UK’s entry, Sam Ryder with SPACE MAN.”

Laura Busson, Radio 2 Commissioning Executive, says: “As the radio home of Eurovision in the UK, BBC Radio 2 has a schedule packed with Eurovision delights with programmes across the network and on BBC Sounds building up the excitement alongside our listeners as we head towards the Grand Final. And Ken Bruce is master of all the proceedings on the night, live from Turin.”

Saturday 30 April

Eurovision: The Official All-Time Most Streamed

In Radio 2’s Eurovision: The Official All-Time Most Streamed – which lands today on BBC Sounds - Michelle Visage counts down the Top 50 to reveal that the official most streamed Eurovision song of all time is Arcade by Duncan Laurence (Netherlands, 2019). ABBA’s Waterloo (Sweden, 1974) came second, followed by Think About Things by Dadi Fryer (Iceland, 2020) in the bronze medal position.

Entries from the United Kingdom came further down the list with Eurovision’s 1981 winning song, Making Your Mind Up, by Bucks Fizz at No. 8; Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit by Gina G (1996) at No. 15; James Newman’s Embers (2021) at No. 17; Storm by Surie (2018) at No. 32; 1997 winner Love Shine A Light by Katrina & The Waves at No. 33; Congratulations by Cliff Richard (1968) at No. 37 – which missed out on winning by just one point; 1967 winner Puppet On A String by Sandie Shaw at No. 38; with 1976 winner Save Your Kisses For Me by Brotherhood of Man at No. 40.

Several of the songs in the Top 10 – Arcade, plus Think About Things by Dadi Fryer at No. 3 (2020), Zitti E Buoni by Måneskin at No. 5 (2021), Fairytale by Alexander Rybak at No. 6 (2009) and Soldi by Mahmood at No. 10 (2019) - have been used as the backing tracks for many different types of short videos on TikTok which has possibly led to their increased popularity on streaming sites. Last year’s Eurovision winners Måneskin also enjoyed a spectacular run of form on the UK’s Official Chart, broadcast on BBC Radio 1, with their winning track Zitti E Buoni hitting the Top 20 in the week of their victory, as well as scoring a further two Top 10 singles (I Wanna Be Your Slave, Beggin) within a month.

Laura Busson, Commissioning Exec, Radio 2, says: “Eurovision is loved by the Radio 2 audience, so I’m delighted that as a part of the network’s Eurovision Super Saturday, Michelle Visage will be counting down the most streamed Eurovision tracks of all time. It’s also heartening to see the contest being embraced by the younger generation via social media, resulting in Eurovision evolving into a multi-generational entertainment extravaganza. ”

The newly unveiled list was compiled by the Official Charts Company using official audio and video streaming data (UK only) from platforms. The programme is available on BBC Sounds from today (Saturday 30 April), and will also be broadcast on ‘Eurovision Super Saturday’ on Radio 2 (1-3pm, Saturday 14 May).

Sunday 1 May

Sam Ryder’s Tracks of my Years (5-6am)

Sam Ryder is representing the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with the song SPACE MAN and he is in chatting with Ken Bruce about his picks for Tracks Of My Years. Sam’s picks includes music from Iron Maiden, Stevie Wonder and his hero, Freddie Mercury.

Producer: Julie Newman for BBC Audio

Sunday 8 May

Made In Italy (9-10pm)

Following Italy's Eurovision success last year, Jack Savoretti journeys into their music scene past and present, feasting on their colourful offerings to the ‘food of love’. It was Italy who created the phenomenon of The Cover, generating crossover hits for superstars of the 60s including Elvis with It's Now Or Never - which was of course Il Sole Mio; Cilla's You're My World which began life as Il Mio Mondo, and Dusty Springfield first heard her most successful single, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, at The Sanremo Festival - Italy's premier song competition, and the event which gave birth to today's Eurovision Song Content! Italy has also produced dozens of hits including Volare and last year's winning song, Zitti E Buoni, by hugely successful rock band Måneskin , the first Italian act to have two Top 10s on the UK singles chart simultaneously.

Italy have been majorly influential in changing the face of chart music, with artists such as ‘father of disco’ Giorgio Moroder and the pioneer of electro house Benny Benassi. Jack hears from artists Zucchero, Paulo Nutini, Andrea Bocelli and more as we enjoy the wealth of music produced by this romantic country.

Producer: Julie Newman for BBC Audio

Bravissimo - The Year Italy Won Everything (2-3am)

Who better to present this programme in celebration of Italy’s achievements last year, than Giovanni Pernice - the professional dance partner of the Strictly Glitter Ball 2021 winner, Rose Ayling-Ellis.

If you were Numero Uno last year then the chances are you hail from Italy. From Eurovision to the Euros they took the crown. It was an astonishing 12 months and, throughout the next hour, Giovanni will be reliving some of the incredible achievements of the entertainers, sports people, musicians and even bakers from the land that gave us the finest art and architecture, fashion and film.

At the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics, the Italian team picked up a record-breaking 40 medals and a remarkable 69 at the Paralympics. Marcel Jacobs became the first to succeed Usain Bolt as the World's Fastest Man, picking up Gold in the 100 metres; Mario Berrettini became the first Italian to reach the Wimbledon Men's Tennis Finals; even the Great British bastion, Bake Off, was won by Guiseppe Dell-Arno! The list is endless. Through anecdotes, news archives and interviews Giovanni will say ‘Bravissimo’ to these remarkable history-makers.

Producer: Julie Newman for BBC Audio

Friday 13 May

The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show (6.30 - 9.30am)

To kick off a massive Eurovision weekend on Radio 2, it’s the Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball in London and Richie Anderson in Turin. Richie will be on the streets of this year’s host city, meeting Eurovision superfans from all over Europe. With only 36 hours to go until the Contest’s final, it’s Richie’s job to convince the people of Europe that Sam Ryder is the man to vote for! This comes after a busy week on the Breakfast Show, with Zoe catching up with Sam every day, introducing him to Radio 2 Eurovision fans.

Producer: Jordan Hemingway for BBC Audio

Ken Bruce (9.30am-12pm)

Ken broadcasts live from Turin this morning ahead of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest tomorrow night. There will be special guests including Sam Ryder, this year's UK entry, Mika – who will be co-hosting this year’s ceremony, BBC One’s tv commentator, Graham Norton, and resident Eurovision expert Paddy O’Connell. And there will of course be another round of PopMaster.

Producer: Phil McGarvey for BBC Audio

On Radio 2 on Saturday 14 May:

1-3pm - Eurovision: The Official All-Time Most Streamed

Michelle Visage counts down the Top 50 Most Streamed Eurovision tracks as compiled by The Official Charts Company. Spanning the decades, this chart shows the true diversity and spirit of Eurovision. Join Michelle to relive the glamour, the glitz and the drama – she’ll celebrate the wins, commiserate the 'Nil points' and enjoys everything in between from the last 50+ years.
Producer: Tom Du Croz

3-6pm - Rylan & Scott live from Turin: Rylan and Scott are live from the 66 Eurovision song contest in Turin. Richie Anderson is on the road to give listeners a real flavour from the Italian streets and there’ll be some very special guests as we build up to one of the biggest nights in showbusiness. Can Sam Ryder do the impossible for the United Kingdom and sweep the board? Either way, it’ll be a super Saturday to remember! Douze points all round.
Producer: Jenny Ward for BBC Audio

6-8pm – Sophie’s Eurovision Kitchen Disco: Blast off with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her nationwide Eurovision warm-up party! The Kitchen Disco Queen and her listeners will bring the revelry and the atmosphere, with a live feel-good playlist of Eurodance bangers and Eurovision memories, from 6-8pm on Eurovision Super Saturday. Across the 2 hours Sophie will hear the excitement of Eurovision parties as they kick off up and down the country – getting all the details on costumes, decorations, score sheets and games. Listeners can also enjoy a special hour of Sophie’s own Eurovision favourites on BBC Sounds from 30 April.
Producer: David Manero for Listen

8-11pm – Eurovision Grand Final 2022: Ken Bruce introduces the 66th Eurovision Song Contest live from the PalaOlimpico in Turin. It’s Italy’s turn to host for the third time following their win in Rotterdam last year with the song Zitti e Buoni by Måneskin. Ken brings every country’s live performance from the final of the world’s biggest song contest, which is watched around the globe by an audience of over 180 million people. He will be joined by broadcaster, journalist and Eurovision guru, Paddy O’Connell, to share the latest news from backstage and his predictions for the big winners of the night. Producer: Phil McGarvey for BBC Audio

11pm-2am – OJ’s Eurovision After Party The results might be in and the show is over, but the party continues with OJ Borg who will be playing the hits of Eurovision past and present. Expect to hear the likes of Gina G, Lordi, Loreen, Celine Dion, ABBA, Netta, Måneskin, Katrina and the Waves and Radio 2’s very own Michael Ball. Plus, Richie Anderson will be reporting live from the streets of Turin, and OJ will be hearing from Eurovision parties from across the UK.
Producer: Ste Softly for Mostest production.

BBC Sounds

One Hit Wonders Eurovision Special

Available on BBC Sounds now is the One Hit Wonders Eurovision Special where OJ Borg plays some of the competition’s very best One Hit Wonders, and reveals the stories behind them. OJ loves Eurovision, possibly because he’s half Maltese and, for Malta, Eurovision is like their World Cup! Listeners will hear some of the best Eurovision One Hit Wonders from recent years, from acts hailing from across the globe... yes, including Australia! There are plenty of winners, including Sweden’s Loreen, who won Eurovision in 2012 and is still a massive favourite. Who can forget Conchita Wurst from Austria, who competed in 2014? Then there’s Lordi, the Finnish rockers who won in 2006. Mahmood from Italy, his song, Soldi, in 2019 is one of the most streamed Eurovision songs ever. There’s also John Peel’s favourite Eurovision song, a British act named Bardo who came seventh in 1982, performing One Step Further.

Producer: Dan Markham for Audio Always.

Scott Mills’ Eurovision Pocket Guides on BBC Sounds

On BBC Sounds from Saturday 30 April, Scott Mills brings the lowdown on perhaps the biggest Eurovision yet after Måneskin’s global breakout success! In four bitesize chunks, he revisits the highs and lows since the UK’s last win, takes a deep dive into this year’s entries - which includes a gorgeous Italian duet, a dazzling Swedish break up anthem and a wolf that wants to eat your grandma. Scott is joined by West End star and former UK Eurovision entrant Lucie Jones, DJ Zoe London, blogger William Lee Adams, Eurovision royalty SuRie, Austrian expert Max Bauer, and the British TikTok star Sam Ryder who might just bring Eurovision home again.

BBC Radio 1

Radio 1 continue their support of Sam Ryder. Having appointed himself Unofficial Head of Marketing Scott Mills continues to spread word of Sam across Europe. He’s got Iceland’s phallological museum onboard, he’s enlisted Italian rockstars Måneskin to support the cause - but can he get one of the world’s biggest popstars support before the big day?

Social & Digital

W/T Sam Ryder: From TikTok to Eurovision

Debuting on the BBC YouTube channel on Tuesday 10 May, this documentary will go behind the scenes following Sam Ryder on his journey to Eurovision. In this documentary, viewers will discover what inspired Sam from a young age, and how he became a TikTok sensation during the pandemic, culminating with Sam duetting with global superstars and reaching a huge fanbase of 12 million. Now he makes his way to Turin to represent the UK at the 66th Eurovision Song Contest, with SPACE MAN.

W/T Sam Ryder: From TikTok to Eurovision ( 1 x 30 ) is a co-production from BBC Studios and Warner Music Entertainment

Follow BBC Eurovision on Twitter (@bbceurovision), Instagram (bbceurovision) and Facebook (BBC Eurovision) as well as BBC Radio 2 social channels. Plus visit bbc.co.uk/eurovision for all the latest news and information.