I WATCHED the Eurovision Young Musicians Final 2018 on BBC iPlayer. The six talented young European musicians performed in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in front of a world-class panel of judges.The broadcast was not in HD. Why? Yes you’ve guessed correctly. It was originally broadcast in Scotland on our version of BBC2. BBC2 England was showing a different schedule.
Despite having six of the finest young musicians in Europe, one of the best orchestras in Britain, and two nationally-known presenters, the BBC couldn’t bring themselves to broadcast the concert throughout the UK.
Was it because the word Eurovision was in the title? Was it because there were no British competitors in the final? Or was it simply because the programme was from Scotland? No viewers from south of the Border could possibly have any interest in watching it.
I hope the concert will at least be seen by some viewers in Wales, as it was a BBC Cymru production.
Alan Laing
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