In the video above, see ABBA’s first performance of Waterloo during the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Brighton Dome in England. Visit the inaugural home of Eurovision with O.A.T. during our New! Switzerland’s Alpine Allure & Milan adventure.
A united continent seemed like a distant dream in post-war Europe. Yet many minds still believed in that dream. On a quiet evening in 1951, George Campey, an English journalist for the Evening Standard, was working on an article about a British Broadcasting Corporation program. It was circulating on Dutch television, and Campey began contemplating how far centralized European television could actually develop. As he was writing, the phrase “European television” just didn’t sit right with him, though. Combining the two words, he settled on “Eurovision”, a double entendre about television in Europe, as well as a vision for the future. An editor liked the word enough and added it straight to the headline—five years before the first edition of the now legendary song contest took place.
In the previous year, the BBC held an international meeting with 23 organizations aiming for one shared goal: create a pathway toward the exchange of television programs between European countries. Small partnerships had been formed, but there was still a lack of any collective television through the continent. Thus, the European Broadcasting Union was formed. Although earlier versions of broadcasting organizations had existed in Europe, the focus of the EBU was on broadcasters and not governments. Their platform was for the freedom of expression and sharing of ideas, information, and entertainment, especially for intercultural dialogue.
What followed were some extremely impressive rookie years from the EBU. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was broadcasted between five nations, as well as the first live coverage of the FIFA World Cup. People were beginning to consistently watch TV. And most importantly, people were watching European TV. To continue their growth, the EBU established a “Program Committee” led by Swiss media executive, Marcel Bezencon. Their objective was to design new programs specifically for an international audience, to further bond Europe through TV. Their first project: a European song competition. Inspired by the Italian Sanremo Music Festival, the team started outlining the details. Some influence from Bezencon and the Swiss delegation landed Lugano as the first host city for the event for the spring of 1956. Just like that, history was born.
Start of an Era
For the premier edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, each country had the opportunity to submit two songs each. The lineup included entries from Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The EBU also urged countries to hold their own national song contest to pick the winners, in hopes of building momentum towards a grand Eurovision finale where national pride skyrocketed viewership.
On May 24th, 1956, the Teatro Kursaal theatre in Lugano, Switzerland was buzzing with entertainers, producers, and music fans, all awaiting this novel European showdown. In the past few days, this modest Switzerland city had become packed with international faces. The first Eurovision event was more than just a music contest. It was the manifestation of a dream that Europe could exist as a united whole. Although the night belonged to Europe, Switzerland’s own Lys Assia made her mark as the first winner with a heartfelt performance of “Refrain.” Swiss pride erupted in the host city and throughout the country, and Assia’s performance set quite the standard for future competitions.
In the next 10 years, the number of countries tripled. The contest continued to grow in popularity, to the point where the EBU had to make adjustments to manage the number of participants, as well as keep the time and cost feasible. One of their first additions was a relegation component that prevented the lowest finishers from performing in the next year. This harsh twist created quite a competitive edge until the introduction of a semi-final round in 2003. This reopened the doors for countries to participate without fear, as well as encourage more to join. Today, Eurovision sees nearly 40 countries competing.
Eurovision in Modern Times
Of the stacked field that arrives to the contest every year, Ireland and Sweden lead the rankings with seven wins a piece. One talented Irishman, Johnny Logan, has been a part of three separate wins, two as a singer and one as a songwriter. Sweden’s dominance has been consistent over the years, with their last win being in 2023. They also have produced what is widely regarded as the most popular Eurovision song of all time: “Waterloo” by the group ABBA (see their first iconic performance in the video above). Behind them, France, the UK, and Luxembourg all have seen five wins apiece.
After the victory at the 1956 debut, Switzerland remained a powerhouse. The small but mighty country reigned in multiple podium finishes, and Canadian superstar Celine Dion represented them to secure a second win in 1988. They celebrated their 15th top five finish in 1993 when Annie Cotton performed “Moi, tout simplement” for a third-place finish.
Now over 50 years later, Eurovision has connected more than just the continent. It’s connected the world. With 69 renditions since its inception, it stands as the longest running annual internationally televised music competition in the world (thanks, Guinness World Records!). Multiple famous faces have dazzled the audience, including American guest performers like Madonna and Justin Timberlake. Even Cirque du Soleil has made an appearance. The European Broadcasting Union has grown tremendously as well. It now consists of 123 member organizations from a whopping 56 countries, and has partnerships with recognizable brands, professional sports teams, news outlets, and entertainment companies. Their original brainchild still holds the title for their most famous production, though. Throughout the decades, the Eurovision Song Contest stands out as clear example of how music, performance, and arts can connect a society.
Today, it’s known worldwide for its elaborate costumes, dance numbers, and overall spectacle. “Campy” has also been another word to describe it, and we’re sure George Campey would enjoy another connection he has to the song contest. Its fame has even inspired other countries who want to get in on the fun, and Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Asia will be debuting this year. With the excitement of each performance, the opportunity to combine music and national pride, and the vibrant history, who wouldn’t want to? Next month, the annual festivities will start, and the momentum will get going. To quote ABBA, “Mamma Mia, here we go again.”
Ask Swiss locals about their proud Eurovision history during our New! Switzerland’s Alpine Allure & Milan adventure.
