Latest news with #culturalphenomenon
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Derek Chang: Liberty has taken F1 'well beyond' a core sports product
Liberty Media chief executive Derek Chang believes Formula 1 has shifted from being a series to becoming a 'cultural phenomenon' in the past decade. Chang was appointed as successor to Greg Maffei at the start of January, eight years on from when Liberty completed its acquisition of F1 and set about taking the series to new audiences, in new markets. Advertisement The findings of the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, a collaboration between F1 and the Motorsport Network, are set to be published soon but recent trends have shown an uptick in women engaging with the championship, as well as a younger demographic now being active fans. Chang, speaking at the Autosport Business Exchange: Monaco, feels the changes – which have also seen a groundswell of American interest with races added in Miami and Las Vegas – have elevated F1 to a different level. 'I think when Liberty acquired Formula 1 it was very much of a core motorsports activation,' he said. 'I think what we've done over the last 10 years, under the stewardship of Chase Carey and then Stefano [Domenicali] is really make this thing sort of a cultural phenomenon that's gone well beyond a core sports product. Advertisement 'It starts with what happens on the track. It's a compelling product that we have out there, but where we've gone to a much more mainstream and a broader entertainment asset. You've seen it in Drive to Survive, you know we have the Apple movie coming out this summer, which will, again, I think renew a whole new level of interest in the sport. Autosport Business Exchange - Monaco Autosport Business Exchange - Monaco Alberto Crippa Alberto Crippa 'Then I think what you've seen in terms of the drivers and how they participate within what this brand is all about now and the interest level that people have following the drivers - not just what happens to them on the track, but what happens to them in their lives. And again, as we continue to open the aperture of what Formula 1 is all about, I think you've seen new brands coming to us.' Advertisement Chang pointed to recent deals signed by F1 as examples of how its partnerships have branched out from more traditional B2B companies to customer-facing brands, which helps continue the fan engagement away from the track. 'We've gone from an endemic, advertising-based, sponsorship-based B2B to then B2C. We just announced a deal with Disney earlier this week, a tremendous deal with Lego that we did last year that of culminated in a great spectacle in Miami a few weeks ago with the life-size cars that we rolled around the track. 'And I think what you've seen is the viewership continues to increase for Formula 1…and you're bringing new people into the audience all the time. Kids, casual fans, all that sort of stuff.' While brands and fans continue to pour in from most corners of the globe, Chang admits there is still plenty of room for growth in the huge market in China. Advertisement The grand prix in Shanghai is now a firm fixture on the calendar but outside of the race, there is relatively low pick-up, including among partners. A former chief executive of the NBA in China, Chang is keen to expand into the large market the country offers. 'When I was running the NBA there, which probably was a preeminent global sports brand in China at the time - and probably still is - and being able to see the energy that the Chinese audience has for sports, I think Formula 1 can continue to grow in that country. Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images 'We were set back, to be honest with you, with COVID because we didn't run a race there for four years. So we probably lost some time there over the years, but there is a legacy and a history of F1 in China. Advertisement 'We've been in Shanghai for 20 years at this point. We had a Chinese driver [Zhou Guanyu] who unfortunately is not on the grid this year, but maybe one day will come back. But look, it's 1.3billion people in China. 'People love sports there. They love brands there. And I think where F1 can continue to shine is that we are such a high-end brand and the brands that we actually associate with, you're going to see that take up continue to happen. 'We do need to continue to build there and invest in the sport there. We are across the major social media platforms. We're on the Tencent and CCTV (China Central Television), but we probably aren't where we would like to be. 'We're going to continue to invest and make that happen because it's such a big market and such a big market for major consumer brands that we really want to continue to develop that.' To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eurovision's Grand Final is here. Some wonder if Canada will ever change its tune on competing
If you haven't watched the Eurovision Song Contest before, you're missing a spectacle like no other. Countries from Europe — and beyond — compete with fiery performances and elaborate sets amid a sea of fans, flags and national pride. Tens of millions around the globe will watch Saturday's Grand Final from Basel, Switzerland, while casting votes for their favourite song and country. The cultural phenomenon, which debuted in 1956 and is now in its 69th edition, is a week-long affair with musicians from 37 countries vying for the top prize. Canadians have competed on behalf of other countries and even won, but we've never officially taken part. An earlier push to have Canada compete languished due to concerns about cost and appetite, but it's garnering attention again, especially in light of a recent groundswell of national pride following U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state. "It is literally The Hunger Games of music," said Laurell Barker, a Canadian songwriter who wrote songs for the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland that made it to the 2019 final, which was won by The Netherlands. "I think it would be so massive for Canada to be involved," Barker said. "There's so much talent here and we have so much to say and so much to share and so much love to give." IN PHOTOS | A look at some of the acts competing in Eurovision 2025: Canadians compete for others — but not Canada Though many Eurovision competitors don't go on to become international sensations, there are some notable exceptions, including Sweden's ABBA. They won in 1974 with the song Waterloo, and their victory contributed to their everlasting popularity. Then there's Canada's claim to Eurovision fame — Céline Dion who competed on behalf of Switzerland in 1988 and won with her performance of Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don't Leave Without Me). She was 20 at the time and has credited Eurovision with helping catapult her to global superstardom. For artists, the chance to be featured in front of a huge international audience is priceless. "I don't think there is a better live televised venue than Eurovision," said Barker. "To have people singing the words and singing along and to be in the arena watching this all happen was so exhilarating." Karen Fricker, a Eurovision expert based in Toronto who's been covering the contest for more than 20 years, says the argument for Canada to compete is bolstered by our strong presence in the contest throughout its history. "If we're good enough to sing and win for another country, why aren't we making the effort to field our own act," she asked. "It's going to come down to the will of a broadcaster and the pressure of a public on that broadcaster to be pushing to say 'It's about time that Canada compete,' " Fricker said in an interview from Basel. WATCH | Some want Canada to take part in Eurovision. Here's why: Eurovision is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an alliance of public broadcasters and public service media. It has also included countries in Europe-adjacent countries in western Asia — including Israel, which has participated in the contest since 1973, as well as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Australia, some 14,000 kilometres away from Europe, began taking part in the competition 10 years ago when the EBU gave it special approval to participate. Australia's Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), an associate member of the EBU, has been airing Eurovision since 1983, which Fricker says contributed to its huge following there. "There has to be a will to join," Fricker said. And though she's not sure how strong that will is in Canada, Fricker notes that the current level of Canadian pride in the face of U.S. aggression could help revive interest in Canada taking part. "I mean, the United States has never competed in Eurovision either. And so this question of how can we as North Americans play on this stage, I think, is something that really needs to be seriously considered." Toronto-based production company Insight Productions attempted to bring Canada into the Eurovision fold in 2022, pitching a Eurovision Canada competition where musicians from each province and territory would compete nationally, with the winner representing Canada in Europe. But there wasn't buy-in at the time from Canada's public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada. CBC is also an associate member of the EBU, which noted that it would be the only Canadian broadcaster "that could hypothetically hope to participate" in Eurovision. Lindsay Cox, co-chief content officer at Insight Productions, told The Canadian Press recently that after announcing their plans in 2022 her team realized "the complexity of a Canadian going to Europe and competing." However, she says the company hasn't given up and is reworking its pitch. WATCH | Montreal singer La Zarra sings in Eurovision 2023 finals representing France: CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson told CBC News the broadcaster considered the possibility and met with the stakeholder, but ultimately decided it was "prohibitively expensive." "In the end, [we] just couldn't make it work for us," he said in a statement. But a national televised competition isn't necessary in order to submit an entry. According to the EBU, broadcasters can invite submissions or solicit artists and/or record labels. There can also be a mixed format where the broadcaster chooses the performer, but the public votes on the song. Thompson confirmed to CBC News that the public broadcaster has never considered these options. Taking part in Eurovision does come with a large price tag. Entry fees vary from year to year and country to country, with the "strongest shoulders carrying the most weight," according to the Eurovision website. The EBU told CBC News it does not release the fees it charges, but Irish public broadcaster RTÉ recently released the cost of its participation. Last year, the broadcaster doled out 389,999 euros (about $575,000 Cdn), which included its participation fee, production costs, transportation and accommodation. The country that wins tends to host the next competition, and that's where costs really mount. Last year, Switzerland's Nemo won, so the Swiss city of Basel is hosting Eurovision 2025. Basel approved public funding equivalent to $55 million Cdn for hosting — a move backed by just under 67 per cent of municipal voters in a November referendum. But there can be a financial upside for host cities as well. In 2023, the British city of Liverpool took over hosting duties from Ukraine, which won the competition in 2022 months after Russia's invasion and wasn't able to host due to the war. The cost of hosting was estimated at about $24 million GBP (about $40 million Cdn,) but according to an assessment commissioned by Liverpool city council, it resulted in an economic boost of £55-million GBP (about $92 million Cdn). Fricker says participating in Eurovision is a bit of a "chicken and egg situation" because a broadcaster can't know how big of an audience they can attract until they try. But she also points to Eurovision's roots in post-Second World War unity and says there are parallels today with the shift in relations between the U.S. and allies like Europe and Canada. "A great way to build a relationship with Europe is to participate in the song contest," she said. WATCH | Why researchers say there's more to Eurovision than the music:
CBC
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Eurovision's Grand Final is here. Some wonder if Canada will ever change its tune on competing
Social Sharing If you haven't watched the Eurovision Song Contest before, you're missing a spectacle like no other. Countries from Europe — and beyond — compete with fiery performances and elaborate sets amid a sea of fans, flags and national pride. Tens of millions around the globe will watch Saturday's Grand Final from Basel, Switzerland, while casting votes for their favourite song and country. The cultural phenomenon, which debuted in 1956 and is now in its 69th edition, is a week-long affair with musicians from 37 countries vying for the top prize. Canadians have competed on behalf of other countries and even won, but we've never officially taken part. An earlier push to have Canada compete languished due to concerns about cost and appetite, but it's garnering attention again, especially in light of a recent groundswell of national pride following U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state. "It is literally The Hunger Games of music," said Laurell Barker, a Canadian songwriter who wrote songs for the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland that made it to the 2019 final, which was won by The Netherlands. "I think it would be so massive for Canada to be involved," Barker said. "There's so much talent here and we have so much to say and so much to share and so much love to give." I N PHOTOS | A look at some of the acts competing in Eurovision 2025: Canadians compete for others — but not Canada Though many Eurovision competitors don't go on to become international sensations, there are some notable exceptions, including Sweden's ABBA. They won in 1974 with the song Waterloo, and their victory contributed to their everlasting popularity. Then there's Canada's claim to Eurovision fame — Céline Dion who competed on behalf of Switzerland in 1988 and won with her performance of Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don't Leave Without Me). She was 20 at the time and has credited Eurovision with helping catapult her to global superstardom. For artists, the chance to be featured in front of a huge international audience is priceless. "I don't think there is a better live televised venue than Eurovision," said Barker. "To have people singing the words and singing along and to be in the arena watching this all happen was so exhilarating." Karen Fricker, a Eurovision expert based in Toronto who's been covering the contest for more than 20 years, says the argument for Canada to compete is bolstered by our strong presence in the contest throughout its history. "If we're good enough to sing and win for another country, why aren't we making the effort to field our own act," she asked. "It's going to come down to the will of a broadcaster and the pressure of a public on that broadcaster to be pushing to say 'It's about time that Canada compete,' " Fricker said in an interview from Basel. WATCH | Some want Canada to take part in Eurovision. Here's why: Could Canada join the Eurovision Song Contest? 10 hours ago Duration 2:08 Canada isn't in Europe — but neither is Australia Eurovision is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an alliance of public broadcasters and public service media. It has also included countries in Europe-adjacent countries in western Asia — including Israel, which has participated in the contest since 1973, as well as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Australia, some 14,000 kilometres away from Europe, began taking part in the competition 10 years ago when the EBU gave it special approval to participate. Australia's Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), an associate member of the EBU, has been airing Eurovision since 1983, which Fricker says contributed to its huge following there. "There has to be a will to join," Fricker said. And though she's not sure how strong that will is in Canada, Fricker notes that the current level of Canadian pride in the face of U.S. aggression could help revive interest in Canada taking part. "I mean, the United States has never competed in Eurovision either. And so this question of how can we as North Americans play on this stage, I think, is something that really needs to be seriously considered." Canada's Eurovision quest Toronto-based production company Insight Productions attempted to bring Canada into the Eurovision fold in 2022, pitching a Eurovision Canada competition where musicians from each province and territory would compete nationally, with the winner representing Canada in Europe. But there wasn't buy-in at the time from Canada's public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada. CBC is also an associate member of the EBU, which noted that it would be the only Canadian broadcaster "that could hypothetically hope to participate" in Eurovision. Lindsay Cox, co-chief content officer at Insight Productions, told The Canadian Press recently that after announcing their plans in 2022 her team realized "the complexity of a Canadian going to Europe and competing." However, she says the company hasn't given up and is reworking its pitch. WATCH | Montreal singer La Zarra sings in Eurovision 2023 finals representing France: Montreal singer makes it to Eurovision final 2 years ago Duration 1:58 CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson told CBC News the broadcaster considered the possibility and met with the stakeholder, but ultimately decided it was "prohibitively expensive." "In the end, [we] just couldn't make it work for us," he said in a statement. But a national televised competition isn't necessary in order to submit an entry. According to the EBU, broadcasters can invite submissions or solicit artists and/or record labels. There can also be a mixed format where the broadcaster chooses the performer, but the public votes on the song. Thompson confirmed to CBC News that the public broadcaster has never considered these options. The economics of Eurovision Taking part in Eurovision does come with a large price tag. Entry fees vary from year to year and country to country, with the "strongest shoulders carrying the most weight," according to the Eurovision website. The EBU told CBC News it does not release the fees it charges, but Irish public broadcaster RTÉ recently released the cost of its participation. Last year, the broadcaster doled out 389,999 euros (about $575,000 Cdn), which included its participation fee, production costs, transportation and accommodation. The country that wins tends to host the next competition, and that's where costs really mount. Last year, Switzerland's Nemo won, s o the Swiss city of Basel is hosting Eurovision 2025. Basel approved public funding equivalent to $55 million Cdn for hosting — a move backed by just under 67 per cent of municipal voters in a November referendum. But there can be a financial upside for host cities as well. In 2023, the British city of Liverpool took over hosting duties from Ukraine, which won the competition in 2022 months after Russia's invasion and wasn't able to host due to the war. The cost of hosting was estimated at about $24 million GBP (about $40 million Cdn,) but according to an assessment commissioned by Liverpool city council, it resulted in an economic boost of £55-million GBP (about $92 million Cdn). A chance to build relations with Europe Fricker says participating in Eurovision is a bit of a "chicken and egg situation" because a broadcaster can't know how big of an audience they can attract until they try. But she also points to Eurovision's roots in post-Second World War unity and says there are parallels today with the shift in relations between the U.S. and allies like Europe and Canada. "A great way to build a relationship with Europe is to participate in the song contest," she said. WATCH | Why researchers say there's more to Eurovision than the music: Why Eurovision results are about more than just the best song 1 year ago Duration 3:09 The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is over. Switzerland's Nemo took home first place for their song The Code, racking up 591 total points for their final score. But what factors go into a Eurovision score? Researchers say there's more to it than the music.
