E14 - The Surprising History Behind the Eurovision Song Contest
Published: May 14, 2026
Duration: 58:33
In May 1950, at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay, representatives from 23 European national broadcasters gathered to discuss future cooperation. The result was the creation of the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU.
Today, the EBU’s biggest legacy is undoubtedly the Eurovision Song Contest. But just how big a deal is Eurovision these days?
Guest: Jonn Elledge
Books:
The Compendium of (Not Quite) Everything: All the Facts You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know (2021) Conspiracy: A History of Boll*cks Theories, and How Not to Fall for Them (2022) A History of the World in 47 Bo...