What time is Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final 1 and how to watch it on TV

Whether you are a hardcore fan or have decided to embrace Eurovision for the first time this year, viewers will be keen to know how the set up for the biggest international singing contest works. And with three shows of the Eurovision Song Contest broadcasting live for the 2024 competition, there's a key date viewers will want to note down.

The semi-final of the contest will see the act representing the UK perform. Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander is 2024's UK contestant. The singer will get the chance to perform his song Dizzy in full, which is a first for Eurovision.

The BBC said that for the first time, the artists from the 'Big Five' countries - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom -plus host nation Sweden - will each perform their entries in full live during the semi-finals. Whilst Olly will perform the United Kingdom’s song Dizzy during the first semi-final, he will automatically qualify for the final, alongside the other 'Big Five' countries and Sweden.

READ MORE: Manchester cinemas to screen Eurovision 2024 final - here’s how to watch it

These countries will not compete for votes in the semi-finals and will not be part of the semi-final voting sequences. Additional performances in each semi-final will be slotted in between the competing countries’ acts.

The first semi-final takes place on Tuesday, May 7, where 15 countries will compete. Airing on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm, the first live semi-final will see the first group of countries compete for a place in Saturday's final.

The 15 countries competing (in performance order) are: Cyprus, Serbia, Lithuania, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Slovenia, Finland, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Australia, Portugal and Luxembourg

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