#stayathome: Eurovision announce Home Concert series after cancellation of 2020 song contest

Eurovision have announced a Home Concert series after the cancellation of the 2020 song contest.

Earlier this month, the European Broadcasting Union announced that the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest - which had been due to take place in Rotterdam in May - had been cancelled because of coronavirus. However, the Eurovision have now introduced a brand new series - Eurovision Home Concerts - to bring the music to the fans' living rooms (or wherever they may be watching). Each one of the episodes will feature artists who have been "part of the Eurovision family for years", including those who were meant to be taking part in Eurovision 2020. They will sing  their own song, as well as a cover of another Eurovision hit - which fans will be able to vote on on the Eurovision's social media channels. Eurovision Home Concerts will begin on April 3, and will be shared on their YouTube channel - and they have advised fans to keep an eye on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.

An official statement from the European Broadcasting Union on the #Eurovision Song Contest 2020. pic.twitter.com/b3h7akxvpF

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) March 18, 2020

On March 18, it was announced that Eurovision 2020 would not be going ahead. This year's contest was due to take place in Rotterdam. The EBU are looking at the possibility of holding the contest in the Dutch city next year instead. "It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam," reads the statement. "Over the past few weeks we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead. "However the uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe - and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities - means the European Broadcasting Union has taken the difficult decision that it is impossible to continue with the live event as planned. "We are very proud that the Eurovision Song Contest has united audiences every year, without interruption, for the past 64 years and we, like the millions of fans around the world, are extremely saddened that it cannot take place in May."