Though ruling out the songs entered into this year's canceled show from next year's, European Broadcasting Union notes that countries could still send the same artist.
- March 23, 2020
AceShowbiz - The songs that were entered into this year's cancelled Eurovision Song Contest will not be eligible for the 2021 show, organisers have confirmed.
In a statement shared on the official Eurovision Twitter page earlier this week (begin March 16), it was confirmed that the event, set to be held in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in May, had been called off, due to "the uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe".
On Friday, producers released a statement confirming that songs that were entered into the 2020 event cannot be held over to next year's event.
However, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officials have said countries could still send the same artist they had hoped would represent them in what was to have been the 65th edition of the show.
The announcement came as the EBU confirmed plans to "honour the songs and artists" chosen to perform this year with an online event, telling fans in a statement: "We have been overwhelmed with the love that the Eurovision Song Contest family has shared since the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 event."
"As such, the EBU and its members are currently exploring alternative programming, but not a competition, to help unite and entertain audiences around Europe during these challenging times," the statement continued. "It is our intention with this programming, and on our online platforms in the coming months, to honour the songs and artists which have been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020."
Organisers concluded: "We ask for your continued patience while we work through practical implications of these ideas in the coming days and weeks."
