This year’s host broadcaster, RTP, are officially in Eurovision mode from tomorrow (23rd April), when their broadcast schedule is overhauled to provide extensive coverage of this year’s contest.

A mammoth 70 hours of dedicated Eurovision coverage

RTP are keen to bring their viewers as close to the action as possible with over 70 hours of dedicated, mainly live coverage from the arena, press centre and Eurovision Village.

The full list of special programs commissioned for broadcast are as follows:

All On Board – Diary (Todos a Bordo – Diário)

23rd April – 11th May 22:00 CET

A daily journal documenting preparations from Altice Arena. Each 15 minute edition will feature delegations, musicians and the teams responsible for putting the show together. One-hour bumper editions will be broadcast on Sunday 29th April & 6th May with summaries from the week.

Blue Carpet Opening Ceremony (Cerimónia de Abertura “Blue Carpet”)

6th May 16:30 – 21:00 CET

Live coverage from the opening ceremony as competitors and delegations from 43 countries walk the blue carpet at an event taking place at the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT). Presenters Jorge Gabriel and Tânia Ribas de Oliveira will provide coverage, accompanied by special guests from a specialist studio at Eurovision Village whilst Catarina Camacho will be live from the ceremony itself.

The Square and Now Us – All On Board (A Praça e Agora Nós – Todos a Bordo)

7th May – 11th May 11:00 – 15:00 CET

7th May – 11th May 16:00 – 18:30 CET

Sónia Araújo , Jorge Gabriel , Tânia Ribas de Oliveira and Herman José will host daily content from Eurovision Village – featuring guest interviews and live performances.

Behind The Scenes Live (5 para a Meia-Noite: Bastidores)

8th May & 10th May 23:30 CET

Inês Lopes Gonçalves will present a special show after both of the semi finals, inviting viewers to witness the first emotions of the finalists. The show will also provide live coverage of the running order draws.

All On Board – Grand Final (Todos a Bordo – Grande Final)

12th May 11:00 – 20:00 CET

On the day of the grand final itself, RTP will provide an uninterrupted live transmission from each of the contest’s key locations as anticipation builds for the live show. RTP promises surprises, in the company of several guests.

Backstage at the Final (Bastidores da Final)

12th May 0:15 CET

To be broadcast directly after the grand final, this program promises to show everything that happens behind the cameras after transmission of the main show.

Concerts and tributes – All on board (Concertos e Tributos – Todos a Bordo)

5th May – 11th May (Evenings – TBC)

Throughout this week, RTP1 will also broadcast several Eurovision Village concerts

Alongside their extensive amount of behind the scenes content, RTP will of course also broadcast each of the three semi finals on Tuesday 8th, Thursday 10th & Saturday 12th May.

International viewers can tune in

As well as being accessible to domestic viewers in Portugal via RTP 1, the broadcaster is making all of it’s Eurovision coverage available to an international audience through RTP Internactional. The channel is available freely on the Hotbird 13.0°E satellite for Europeans and on Galaxy 19 97.0°W for those in America.

Online viewers worldwide can also tune in via RTP Play.