View source for Eurovision Dance Contest

{{Short description|Former annual dance competition organised by Eurovision}}
{{Distinguish|Eurovision Young Dancers}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Eurovision Dance Contest generic logo.jpeg
| caption              =
| alt_name             = 
| genre                = Dance contest
| based_on             = [[Eurovision Song Contest]]
| creator              = [[Richard Bunn]]
| developer            = 
| writer               = 
| director             = 
| creative_director    = 
| presenter            = [[Graham Norton]]<br />[[Claudia Winkleman]]
| starring             = 
| judges               = 
| voices               = 
| narrated             = 
| theme_music_composer = 
| open_theme            = 
| end_theme             = 
| composer             = 
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English<br/>French
| num_seasons          = <!-- or num_series -->
| num_episodes         = 2 contests
| list_episodes        = 
| executive_producer   = 
| producer             = 
| editor               = 
| location             = [[London]] and [[Glasgow]], United Kingdom
| cinematography       = 
| camera               = 
| runtime              = 2 hours (2007)<br>2 hours, 15 minutes (2008)
| company              = {{ubl|[[European Broadcasting Union]]|[[Jane Lush|Splash Media]]|[[Tinopolis|Sunset + Vine]]}}
| channel              = 
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2007|9|1|df=yes}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2008|9|6|df=yes}}
| related              =
| italic_title         = no
}}
The '''Eurovision Dance Contest''' was an international [[Ballroom dance|ballroom]] dancing competition organised by the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU) and the [[International DanceSport Federation]] (IDSF).<ref>{{Cite web |title=IDSF Presidium announcement |url=http://www.idsf.net/press07/dance_contest.doc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630125130/http://www.idsf.net/press07/dance_contest.doc |archive-date=2007-06-30 |access-date=2007-05-10}}</ref> The IDSF credits the existence of the contest to [[Richard Bunn]] of RBI network,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.easymonitoring.ch/handelsregister/rbi_network_richard_600974.aspx |title=rbi network, Richard Bunn, Genève - easyMonitoring<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-06-21 |archive-date=2010-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012024624/http://www.easymonitoring.ch/handelsregister/rbi_network_richard_600974.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Geneva]], former EBU controller of sport, who convinced the EBU to create the programme.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idsf.net/agm_2007/President_Letter_AGM_2007.doc |title=IDSF President Address of the occasion of IDSF's 50th Anniversary |access-date=2007-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927074115/http://www.idsf.net/agm_2007/President_Letter_AGM_2007.doc |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Format ==
The competition consisted of pairs of dancers from each participating country, each pair performing one dance, a [[freestyle dance]] in which the cultures of the individual countries could be showcased to the rest of Europe. In addition to being evaluated by a panel of dance experts, the routines were judged by European audiences who cast their vote for their favourite couple via [[telephone]] or [[text messaging]] to determine winner of the competition. The BBC was "host broadcaster" for the only two contests to date, in 2007 and 2008.<ref>[http://www.ebu.ch/en/eurovisiontv/entertainment/edc.php Eurovision Dance Contest EBU (Bottom of page)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112145004/http://www.ebu.ch/en/eurovisiontv/entertainment/edc.php |date=2007-01-12 }}</ref>

==Contest history==
===2007===
{{main|Eurovision Dance Contest 2007}}
Eurovision Dance Contest 2007 was hosted in [[London]], United Kingdom. In EDC 2007 each couple has performed two 1 minute 30 seconds dances: the first dance was a [[ballroom]] or [[Latin dance]] while the second was a [[freestyle dance]]. Professional dance couples were allowed to enter the competition. Finland won the competition.

===2008===
{{main|Eurovision Dance Contest 2008}}
Several changes were introduced for Eurovision Dance Contest 2008 which was hosted in [[Glasgow]], United Kingdom. Professional dance couples were no longer allowed, all pairs had to include one professional and one [[celebrity]] dancer. Only one, 2 minute dance, was performed by each couple. A professional jury was introduced to the competition having approximate weight of 20% of the outcome, while the remaining 80% came from televoting. Poland won the competition.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://esckaz.com/edc/2008/ Eurovision Dance Contest 2008 Glasgow Танцевальное Евровидение 2008 Глазго<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Cancellation===
The cancelled third Eurovision Dance Contest was originally planned to be organised in [[Baku]], Azerbaijan at the [[Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex]] on 26 September 2009.<ref name="EBU">{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/news?id=1879|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302060429/http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/news?id=1879|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-03-02|title=Dance Contest 2009 to Baku, Azerbaijan}}</ref><ref name="date">{{cite web|url=http://esckaz.com/edc/|title=European Broadcasting Union has finally officially confirmed the date of EDC 2009|date=2009-04-02|publisher=ESCKaz|accessdate=2009-04-02}}</ref> Host broadcaster [[İctimai Televiziya və Radio Yayımları Şirkəti|İctimai Television]] was planning to increase the number of participating countries as well as inviting a world-famous star to host the contest, listing [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Kylie Minogue]] and [[Shakira]] as candidates.<ref name="hosts">{{cite web|url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=102659|title=We are negotiating with Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and Shakira to host the Eurovision Dance 2009 in Azerbaijan}}</ref> An additional extravaganza [[open-air concert]] was planned to be held, bringing together ex-participants of the [[Eurovision Song Contest|Eurovision]], [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest|Junior Eurovision]] and Eurovision Dance contests on one stage.<ref name="date" /><ref name="PC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/news?id=1905|title=Baku: More details announced at press conference}}</ref>

On 28 May 2009, the EBU announced that the contest was postponed at least until autumn 2010 as "the number of broadcasters that signed up for participation had not reach the desired level". According to a preliminary calculations, at least five countries that were taking part in [[Eurovision Dance Contest 2008]], namely {{esccnty|Austria|Dance}}, {{esccnty|Finland|Dance}}, {{esccnty|Lithuania|Dance}}, {{esccnty|Netherlands|Dance}} and {{esccnty|Sweden|Dance}} had announced withdrawal from the contest, with only {{esccnty|Belarus|Dance}} confirming its participation as a début country.<ref name="date"/> According to contest coordinator on behalf of EBU Tal Barnea, "concrete plans for a 2010 autumn event were being developed, with considerable changes to introduce a new programme proposal". These plans were expected to be unveiled in the autumn of 2009. The EBU also praised "the commendable work on the next Eurovision Dance Contest already completed by our partners Ictimai Television and the Azerbaijani officials" stating that 2010 edition of the contest was planned to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan as well. In January 2010, EBU Eurovision coordinator, [[Svante Stockselius]], announced that contest had been postponed again, and is now unlikely to happen at all, at least within the next couple of years. He explained this decision was the fact that the popularity of televised dance shows had calmed down recently.<ref name="date1">{{cite web|url=http://esckaz.com/edc/|title=Eurovision Dance Contest has been put on hold|date=2010-01-19|publisher=ESCKaz|accessdate=2010-01-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/news?id=2913|title=3rd Eurovision Dance Contest postponed to 2010|publisher=EBU|accessdate=2009-05-28|archive-date=2009-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608194505/http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/news?id=2913|url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 2020, it was revealed that Polish broadcaster [[Telewizja Polska|TVP]] submitted an unsuccessful bid to host the third edition of the contest at their headquarters in Warsaw.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurovoix.com/2020/10/08/junior-eurovision-2020-to-be-held-at-the-tvp-headquarters/|title=Junior Eurovision 2020 To Be Held At The TVP Headquarters|first=Anthony|last=Granger|date=October 8, 2020|website=eurovoix.com|access-date=8 October 2020}}</ref>

== Participation ==
[[File:EDC participants.svg|thumb|250px|right|Countries that participated in the contest: {{legend|#22b14c|Entered at least once}} {{legend|#ffc20e|Never entered, although was eligible to do so}} {{legend|#d40000|Entry intended or initially expressed}}]]
When the competition was first planned, the aim was to begin with ten to twelve participating countries and expand in subsequent years. However, the response rate was greater than anticipated and it proved difficult to turn away the additional countries interested in participating in the event. For logistical reasons, a limitation on number of participants was established. In order to ensure the event was a success, the EBU invited participating broadcasters from member countries to take part. In several countries, where the EBU had more than one member, two broadcasters expressed interest. The final decision of which broadcaster would represent those countries was decided by either an internal accord by the two broadcasters, or by a draw, conducted by the EBU.<ref name="faq2008">{{cite web|title = FAQ Eurovision Dance Contest - Glasgow 2008|url=http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/help-faq|access-date = 2008-09-20 }}</ref>

Sixteen countries; Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the host country the United Kingdom all débuted in the very first Eurovision Dance Contest in 2007. The [[Croatia]]n broadcaster [[Croatian Radiotelevision|HRT]] had expressed an interest in taking part,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/archive.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216050120/http://www.eurovision.tv/archive.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2007|title=Eurovision Song Contest|date=16 February 2007|access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref> but did not appear on the final list of participants. In June 2008, Switzerland announced their withdrawal from the 2008 contest without specifying a reason, while Germany withdrew from the 2008 event the same month, due to comparatively low ratings for the 2007 contest in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wr.de/wr-info/korb-fuer-dance-contest-id1871793.html|title=Korb für Dance Contest|date=June 13, 2008|website=www.wr.de|access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref> Spain was originally due to take part in 2008, but withdrew in late August 2008 just days before the event, reportedly due to a scheduling clash with the country competing in a qualifying match for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], which was taking place the same evening.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/12231/ebu_confirms_spains_edc_withdrawal/|title=EBU confirms Spain's EDC withdrawal|website= ESCToday.com|date=28 August 2008|access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref> In accordance with the rules, Spanish broadcaster [[Televisión Española|TVE]] were obliged to broadcast the contest live due to their late withdrawal as an active participant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vintti.yle.fi/ohjelmat.yle.fi/eurotanssit/uutiset/uutinen_28082008a.html|title=Espanja vetäytyi Eurotansseista &#124; yle.fi &#124; Arkistoitu|website=vintti.yle.fi|date=28 August 2008|access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref> After Switzerland announced their non-participation, and with the format change meaning each couple would dance one one minute and forty five seconds dance each, new countries became eligible to join the event. Azerbaijan were the only country to join that year, but negotiations had taken place with broadcasters from [[Belarus]] and [[Cyprus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://esckaz.com/edc/2008/news1.htm|title=Esckaz Eurovision Dance Contest 2008 News 1|website=esckaz.com|access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=ESCKaz is banned by WikiProject Eurovision.|date=April 2022}}

Belarus intended on competing for the first time in 2009 but the contest was cancelled. Although the 2009 contest never happened, Austria, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden and the Netherlands had confirmed they would not compete in the third contest.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:94%"
|-
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Country making its debut entry
! scope="col"| Broadcaster(s)
|-
! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;" rowspan="16"| {{Escyr|2007|Dance}}
| {{flagu|Austria}}
| [[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]]
|-
| {{flagu|Denmark}}
| [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]]
|-
| {{flagu|Finland}}
| [[Yle]]
|-
| {{flagu|Germany}}
| [[Westdeutscher Rundfunk|WDR]] ([[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]])
|-
| {{flagu|Greece}}
| [[Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi|ERT]]
|-
| {{flagu|Ireland}}
| [[Radio Telefís Éireann|RTÉ]]
|-
| {{flagu|Lithuania}}
| [[Lithuanian National Radio and Television|LRT]]
|-
| {{flagu|Netherlands}}
| [[TROS]] ([[Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (organization)|NPO]])
|-
| {{flagu|Poland}}
| [[Telewizja Polska|TVP]]
|-
| {{flagu|Portugal}}
| [[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|RTP]]
|-
| {{flagu|Russia}}
| [[Russia TV|RTR]] (2007)<br/>[[Channel One (Russia)|C1R]] (2008)
|-
| {{flagu|Spain}}
| [[Televisión Española|TVE]]
|-
| {{flagu|Sweden}}
| [[TV4 (Sweden)|TV4]]
|-
| {{flagu|Switzerland}}
| [[SRG SSR idée suisse|SRG SSR]]
|-
| {{flagu|Ukraine}}
| [[National Television Company of Ukraine|NTU]]
|-
| {{flagu|United Kingdom}}
| [[BBC]]
|-
! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;" | {{Escyr|2008|Dance}}
| {{flagu|Azerbaijan}}
| [[İctimai Television|İTV]]
|}

==Hosting==
Most of the expense of the contest is covered by [[Sponsor (commercial)|commercial sponsors]] and contributions from the other participating nations. The contest is considered to be a unique opportunity for promoting the host country as a tourist destination. The table below shows a list of cities and venues that have hosted Eurovision Dance Contest, one or more times.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Contests
!Country
!City
!Venue
!Years
|-
| rowspan="2"|2
| rowspan="2"|United Kingdom
| [[London]]
| [[BBC Television Centre]]
| {{Escyr|2007|Dance}}
|-
| [[Glasgow]]
| [[Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre]]
| {{Escyr|2008|Dance}}
|-
|}

== Winners ==
[[File:Eurovision Dance winners map.svg|thumb|300px|Map showing each country's number of wins]]
The contest differs from the Eurovision Song Contest in that the winning country does not automatically become host for the next contest.<ref name="faq2008" /> The Eurovision Dance Contest followed the same host selection process as the [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Host city
! scope="col" | Winner
! scope="col" | Dancers
! scope="col" | Dance style
! scope="col" | Points
! scope="col" | Margin
|-
! scope="row" | {{escyr|2007|Dance}}
| 1 September
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[London]]
| {{flagu|Finland}}
| [[Katja Koukkula]] and [[Jussi Väänänen]]
| [[Rhumba|Rumba]] and [[Paso Doble]]
| 132
| 11
|-
! scope="row" | {{escyr|2008|Dance}}
| 6 September
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Glasgow]]
| {{flagu|Poland}}
| [[Edyta Herbuś]] and [[Marcin Mroczek]]
| [[Rhumba|Rumba]], [[Cha-cha-cha (dance)|Cha-cha-cha]] and [[Jazz Dance]]
| 154
| 33
|-
|}

===Top three placings===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-top:0; font-size:90%;"
|-
! Country
! {{Gold1}}
! {{Silver2}}
! {{Bronze3}}
! Total
! Years won
|-
| {{flagu|Finland}}
|align=center | 1
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 1
| {{Hlist|{{Escyr|2007|Dance}}}}
|-
| {{flagu|Poland}}
|align=center | 1
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 1
| {{Hlist|{{Escyr|2008|Dance}}}}
|-
| {{flagu|Ukraine}}
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 1
|align=center | 1
|align=center | 2
|
|-
| {{flagu|Russia}}
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 1
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 1
|
|-
| {{flagu|Ireland}}
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 0
|align=center | 1
|align=center | 1
|
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100217044154/http://www.eurovisiondance.tv/page/home Official Eurovision Dance Contest website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070112145004/http://www.ebu.ch/en/eurovisiontv/entertainment/edc.php EBU Press Release]
* [http://www.idsf.net/ International DanceSport Federation official website]

{{European Broadcasting Union}}

[[Category:Eurovision Dance Contest| ]]
[[Category:Dance competition television shows]]
[[Category:Eurovision events|Dance]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2007]]
[[Category:Recurring events disestablished in 2009]]