Cruise lines to air Eurovision Song Contest live for the first timeCruise lines to air Eurovision Song Contest live for the first time

On 8pm (BST) on May 13, cruise lines including Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Viking will make the live show available through the BBC’s maritime channel, BBC HD, for almost a quarter of a million cruise passengers.

After 25 years, the UK will play host to the contest in Liverpool on behalf of last year’s winners: Ukraine.

‘There has always been a strong demand for BBC content within the travel and hospitality sectors,’ claimed Zina Neophytou, VP, out of home, BBC Studios. ‘BBC HD is now in its 7th year since launch and I am delighted to be investing more into live events on BBC HD to bring audiences the best of real-life broadcasting whilst they cruise around the world.

‘I’m sure Eurovision’s addition to the BBC HD entertainment channel will be welcomed by cruise guests everywhere.’

BBC HD

BBC HD is scheduled specifically for the maritime market and tailored to cruise passengers. Last weekend, King Charles III's coronation plus the Coronation Concert was broadcast live on all 37 cruise lines licensing BBC HD.

The English language high-definition channel offers a range of genres from drama, natural history, comedy, to factual entertainment. Popular British soaps including Eastenders also feature and are scheduled within days of their UK premieres.