Eurovision Dance Contest was a televised dance competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in partnership with the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF). The contest was conceived as a counterpart to the long‑running Eurovision Song Contest, aiming to showcase amateur and professional dance performances from participating EBU member broadcasters.
Overview
- Genre: International dance competition
- Organizers: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and International DanceSport Federation (IDSF)
- Language: Primarily English for the host country’s broadcast; national entries were performed in the language(s) of the representing country.
- Broadcast: Live television coverage across participating EBU member stations, with additional streaming in later years.
History
The concept was announced in 2006, with the inaugural edition staged on 1 September 2007 at the BBC Television Centre in London, United Kingdom. A second edition took place on 6 September 2008 in Glasgow, Scotland. After the 2008 edition, the contest was discontinued due to limited audience interest and logistical challenges.
Format
- Entry Selection – Each participating broadcaster selected a dance duo (or team) to represent its country. Selections were made through national finals, internal appointments, or other methods determined by the broadcaster.
- Performance – Acts presented a choreographed routine that combined elements of traditional national dance styles with contemporary or ballroom techniques. The duration of each performance was limited to a specified time (generally three minutes).
- Jury and Public Voting – A professional jury, comprised of dance experts appointed by the EBU and IDS F, awarded points to each performance. In parallel, a public televote from the participating countries contributed an equal weight of points. The combined scores determined the final ranking.
- Scoring System – The voting system mirrored that of the Eurovision Song Contest, with points ranging from 1‑8, 10, and 12 awarded to the top ten performances from both jury and public votes.
Editions
| Year | Host City (Country) | Number of Participating Countries | Winning Country* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | London, United Kingdom | 14 | Finland |
| 2008 | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 14 | United Kingdom |
*Specific winning entries are documented in EBU archives; the above summary reflects the officially recorded winners for each edition.
Reception and Legacy
The Eurovision Dance Contest received moderate media coverage in participating nations but failed to achieve the widespread popularity of its musical counterpart. Audience figures were below expectations, and several broadcasters withdrew before the second edition, citing cost concerns and limited viewer interest. The EBU subsequently announced that the contest would not return, focusing instead on expanding existing Eurovision formats such as the Eurovision Song Contest and newer spin‑offs (e.g., Eurovision Young Musicians, Eurovision Choir).
Despite its short lifespan, the contest is noted for promoting dance as a cultural expression within the Eurovision framework and for providing a platform for amateur and professional dancers to gain pan‑European exposure.
See also
- Eurovision Song Contest
- European Broadcasting Union
- International DanceSport Federation
- Eurovision Young Dancers
References
- European Broadcasting Union (EBU) press releases, 2006‑2009.
- International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) annual reports, 2007‑2008.
- Broadcast archives of participating national television networks.
