A number of changes have been made to the existing Eurovision rules, with organisers saying that they'll allow for the competition to go ahead next year and for "many years to come".
Fans of the international song competition were devastated to learn that it wouldn't go ahead this year, cancelled due to Covid-19 and concerns for the safety of all involved. However, organisers have since made a few changes to the format, saying that the amendments will ensure the competition goes ahead in 2021 and continues for "many years to come".
Announcing a number of new measures a post on the Eurovision website reads:
"The rules of the Eurovision Song Contest have been amended to ensure that there WILL be a Eurovision Song Contest on 18, 20 and 22 May 2021, and for many years to come, whatever the global circumstances."
The statement goes on to detail the new measures saying that the lessons learned from the spring of 2020, have allowed organisers to tailor the rules to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Pre-recorded backing tracks and harmonies will be allowed on a one-year trial basis so as to allow participants to "explore new creative ideas" and "present their work as close as possible to their original composition".
Commenting on the decision, Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, said:
"We must be able to be more flexible and to make changes even to the format itself and how we organize the event in these challenging times."
The new rules have been approved by the contest's governing board and have already been distributed to EBU members wishing to participate in next year's event.
For now, though, fans will have to get their Eurovision fix by thanks of
Will Ferrell's new Netflix movie.
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