BBC Eurovision viewers fume moments into final as Graham Norton opening plagued with tech issues: 'Problems ALREADY!'

BBC Eurovision 2024 was hit with tech issues on Saturday night

BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 11/05/2024

- 20:48

Coverage of this year's Eurovision Song Contest finale on the BBC got off to a rocky start

Several BBC viewers were left baffled, irked and fearing the worst for the rest of the show following the opening moments of the Eurovision Song Contest finale on Saturday night.

The competition itself has already been marred in chaos, from the Dutch entrant Joost Klein being disqualified to the protests against Israel's participation in the finale.


But despite the turmoil, the finale kicked off on time at 8pm on Saturday night.

Coverage of the contest began on BBC One, opening with a welcome message from Swedish royalty, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

As the opening sequence began and viewers around the world were introduced to their respective commentators, UK fans were expecting to hear Graham Norton introduce himself.

However, things went awry as instead of Norton, fans got a brief listen-in to Scott Mills' coverage on BBC Radio 2.

Malin \u00c5kerman and Petra Mede

Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede fronted the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

BBC

The inadvertent error was made all the more confusing by the fact it appeared Mills had been broadcast on BBC One mid-sentence.

"The end of tonight's show no matter -" Mills could be heard saying before being swiftly cut out.

Eventually, Norton began to speak but the errors weren't over there as his voice sounded tinny, quiet, and at times, inaudible.

Norton's fuzzy sound was soon cut off and BBC viewers had to watch the opening sequence without any UK commentary for a few moments.

WATCH HERE: GB News' Charlie Peters at Palestinian protest in Malmo Sweden for Eurovision

Luckily, before the opening titles concluded, whatever tech issues that had plagued the opening were resolved as Norton's voice burst back through the speakers.

"And of course, equalling Ireland's record with seven wins," Norton said, obviously unaware BBC viewers hadn't been able to hear what he'd been saying moments earlier.

Norton's voice remained as the rest of the finale unfolded but the opening blunders were enough to send fans flocking to social media.

"The commentary going wrong is exactly in keeping with this years event so far… #Eurovision #BBCEurovision," one fan penned on X, formerly Twitter.

Graham Norton led the BBC's Eurovision team

Graham Norton led the BBC's Eurovision team for the finale

BBC

A second agreed: "Graham Norton audio problems already. It’s going to be a long night. #Eurovision #Eurovision2024."

"Graham Norton sounds like he’s been kidnapped. Solid start. #Eurovision2024 #EUROVISION," another sarcastically added before a fourth weighed in: "WTF is going on with Graham Norton’s mic #EUROVISION."

Another commented: "The chaos continues with Graham Norton having sound issues at the start of the BBC broadcast #Eurovision."

While a sixth addressed the mishap: "Scott Mills morphing into Graham Norton then was hilarious. BBC having Mic issues really ties into recent events #Eurovision #Eurovision2024 #BBCEurovision." (sic)

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