The BBC has confirmed that the public will not be able to vote for the UK’s Eurovision 2020 entry.
The broadcaster hopes to improve the UK’s chances of success by scrapping the public vote and teaming up with record label BMG to choose the singer and their song.
This means Eurovision: You Decide will not be shown for the first time since its re-launch in 2016.
Michael Rice was chosen represent the country this year with his song “Bigger Than Us”, but finished last in 26th place after earning just 11 points.
The UK has not won Eurovision since 1997 and has not reached the top 10 since 2009.
BBC Studios approached several labels but decided to go with BMG – which will release and publish the chosen song – because it shared a “vision of selecting a song with broad international appeal and securing an artist who embodies the spirit and values of the Eurovision song contest”.
BMG consists of both a publishing arm that handles songwriters and a group of record labels.
They have worked with many successful artists, including Kylie Minogue, Boy George and Simple Minds.
Eurovision contestants will be in safe hands as the label’s latest hits include “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, “Shotgun” by George Ezra and “I’ll Be There” by Jess Glynne.
The UK’s 2020 Eurovision entry will be released as a single by BMG.
Eurovision’s 2018 winner Netta signed a deal with the label and opened this year’s semi-final with a new version of her winning song “Toy”.
The Netherlands took home the trophy this year after Duncan Lawrence’s track “Arcade” scooped an impressive 498 points.
BBC Studios creative director Mel Balac said the deal with BMG is a “turning point for the UK at Eurovision”.
“We very much hope this marks the start of an exciting new chapter”, she said.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s controller of entertainment commissioning, said: “Our commitment to finding the right song has never been higher and this collaboration with BMG, who have access to world class songwriters, is a genuinely exciting prospect and I am certain that together we can find the best song and artist possible for 2020”.
Eurovision 2020 will take place between 12-16 May in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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