Big changes have been made for the press, hurdles and restrictions have a huge impact on the coverage of this year’s ESC

The rehearsals have started in the PalaOlimpico. The schedule is similar to the previous years. But for the first time it will not be possible to enter the arena for the press until the first dress rehearsal on Monday, 9th May, where the full first semi-final will be presented. So the usual open rehearsals are history. It will only be possible to watch the individual rehearsals from the screens in the press centre. Furthermore the press centre will be opened quite late, on Wednesday 4th May. For the accredited onsite press it’s a big hurdle to cover all the things, what happen there in the usual way. There is also an online press centre, where the same rules apply. For all the journalists, who arrived these days, they can only follow the press meet and greets in their hotel rooms. The only way to follow the artist’s experiences is to check Instagram and TikTok.

The question is why the organizers have changed this? In previous years some delegations have complained that the first rehearsals have been filmed and published, where the singers did not make their best impressions. This has led to the stricter rules. And most likely is another fact: the costs. It saves money to open the press centre at a later stage.

Like last the year there will much less journalists onsite, officially due to the corona pandemic. The rules have been tightened massively to receive an onsite accreditation. If this leads to a better event is being discussed everywhere, when a big crowd of fan media is being excluded from the event.

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!