Concurso de baile de Eurovisión

El Festival de Baile de Eurovisión fue una competición internacional de baile de salón organizada por la Unión Europea de Radiodifusión (UER) y la Federación Internacional de Baile Deportivo (IDSF). ^{[ 1 ]} La IDSF atribuye la existencia del concurso a Richard Bunn, de la consultora RBI Network, con sede en Ginebra , ^{[ 2 ]} y antiguo controlador deportivo de la UER, quien convenció a la UER para que creara el programa. ^{[ 3 ]}

La competición consistió en parejas de bailarines de cada país participante, cada una de las cuales interpretó una danza de estilo libre que permitía mostrar las culturas de cada país al resto de Europa. Las coreografías fueron juzgadas por el público europeo, que votó por su pareja favorita por teléfono o mensaje de texto para determinar al ganador de la competición. En la segunda edición, también fueron evaluadas por un panel de expertos en danza. Algunas emisoras participantes realizaron selecciones nacionales para elegir a su representante. La BBC fue la emisora ​​anfitriona de las dos únicas ediciones celebradas hasta la fecha, en 2007 y 2008. ^{[ 4 ]}

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.^[13]

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 Croatian broadcaster HRT had expressed an interest in taking part,^[14] 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.^[15] 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.^[16] In accordance with the rules, Spanish broadcaster TVE were obliged to broadcast the contest live due to their late withdrawal as an active participant.^[17] 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.^[18]

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.

La mayor parte de los gastos del concurso corren a cargo de patrocinadores comerciales y contribuciones de los demás países participantes. El concurso se considera una oportunidad única para promocionar el país anfitrión como destino turístico. La siguiente tabla muestra una lista de ciudades y sedes que han albergado el Festival de Eurovisión de Baile una o más veces.

El concurso se diferencia del Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión en que el país ganador no se convierte automáticamente en anfitrión del siguiente concurso. ^{[ 13 ]} El Festival de Baile de Eurovisión siguió el mismo proceso de selección de anfitrión que el Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión Junior .

• Sitio web oficial del Festival de Baile de Eurovisión
• Comunicado de prensa de la UER
• Sitio web oficial de la Federación Internacional de Baile Deportivo