Every year European countries prepare for months in hopes they make it to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
As they each practice and prepare nonstop in hopes of making it past the semi-finals and in to the sparkling final.
But five countries don't need to panic about semi-finals and qualifying, these are known as the Big 5.
The group, including the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy automatically qualify for the final.
Who are the Big 5 at Eurovision?
The five nations are lucky enough to avoid the dreaded semi-finals by making large financial contributions to the Eurovision Song Contest.
The Big 5 countries of Malmö 2024 have drawn how they'll be placed in the Grand Final running order - First Half, Second Half or Producer's Choice: https://t.co/6hPLXfiadI pic.twitter.com/xQg15lVcpb
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 4, 2024
The group was first formed in 2000 when a rule change saw the chance to pay to get to the grand final.
For 11 years the Big Five consisted of just four, with the UK, Spain, France and Germany, but in 2011, Italy joined the group.
RECOMMENDED READING:
How to watch the Grand Final of Eurovision
Eurovision’s Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 11.
The show will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm and BBC iPlayer plus you can listen along on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
Coverage of the Grand Final on BBC One ends at 12am.
The UK’s Eurovision entry for 2024 is Olly Alexander who will be singing his song, 'Dizzy'.
Good evening Europe! 🇸🇪
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) April 25, 2024
It’s time to meet… your stage! 🤩#Eurovision2024 #UnitedByMusic pic.twitter.com/RIkD2NBB2u
When did the Eurovision Song Contest start?
The annual singing contest, which is organised by the European Broadcasting Union began in 1956.
The now highly-anticipated calendar event was first held on May 24, 1956, in Lugano, Switzerland.
It was one of the earliest attempts to broadcast a live televised event to a considerable international market.
The first competition was not won on points, but by votes (which were given two per country), and only the winner was announced.
In 1956, Switzerland won the contest with the artist Lys Assia with the song 'Refrain'.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel