On Saturday, April 6th, we’ll commemorate the 50th anniversary of the enchanting evening in Brighton when ABBA clinched victory in the Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden, marking the inception of one of the most legendary careers in music history.

This milestone won’t go unnoticed, as there are abundant opportunities for us to relive the magic once again. A line-up of celebratory programming has been unveiled, allowing us to reflect on that momentous day for ABBA, the Eurovision Song Contest, and the realm of pop music at large.

The centrepiece of this programming extravaganza is a landmark documentary, “ABBA – Against The Odds,” which stands as the largest collaboration of EBU Members for a documentary production to date. Scheduled to air in over 15 countries ahead of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in May, this documentary celebrates ABBA’s iconic ascent to stardom, featuring rare archival footage and exclusive interviews.

Led by acclaimed director James Rogan and produced by Dan Hall, “ABBA – Against The Odds” commemorates the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s historic Eurovision win with “Waterloo,” promising unparalleled insights into the band’s journey.

This collaborative effort involved prominent broadcasters such as DR, SVT, BBC, ARD/WDR, France Télévisions, NTR, NRK, YLE, RUV, VRT, EER, and Czech TV.

Having premiered at CPH:DOX (Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival) in March, “ABBA – Against The Odds” will debut on Saturday, April 6th, on Swedish broadcaster SVT’s SVTPlay service. Subsequently, 14 other broadcasters will air the documentary before the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in May, with additional transmission dates to be confirmed.

In addition to this, the BBC, which hosted ABBA’s triumph in 1974, will commemorate the occasion by rebroadcasting the 1974 Eurovision Contest on BBC Four on Sunday, April 7th. Preceding the broadcast will be a 10-minute introduction by Hannah Waddingham, a former Eurovision Song Contest presenter.

Furthermore, BBC Two will dedicate an entire night of programming to Eurovision winners ABBA on the 50th anniversary date, featuring the premiere of their own documentary “When Abba Came To Britain,” along with other ABBA-themed shows.

SVT, the host broadcaster of the 1974 Eurovision Contest, will also join in the celebrations with “En fest för ABBA,” a two-hour homage to Sweden’s greatest music export, airing on Saturday, April 6th.

Lastly, the Brighton Dome, the iconic venue where ABBA secured victory, will host a grand celebration on April 6th, inviting fans to relive the moment as “Waterloo” is performed once again. Hosted by Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli, the event will feature guest performances by various Eurovision stars, promising a night of nostalgia and jubilation.

You can watch the ABBA special night here: CET 20:00