Eurovision singer James Newman poses in a car

Eurovision Song Contest 2021 to be broadcast in Dolby Atmos

The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will be broadcast for the first time in Dolby Atmos immersive audio, as part of a test transmission.

Dolby has partnered with local Pay-TV operator KPN in the Netherlands, to deliver the immersive Atmos audio mix live from Rotterdam to homes in the Netherlands, for both the semi-finals and the big Eurovision finale on Saturday May 22.

The show will be broadcast on NPO1. KPN customers with the latest TV receiver will be able to hear the mix in Dolby Atmos on temporary test channel 109. In addition to the correct TV receiver, viewers will need a TV or Soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos decoding. 

Javier Foncillas, VP Commercial Partnerships, Dolby Europe said: “Eurovision is a huge cultural event globally with countries like Australia and Israel even taking part in recent years. It’s great that the organisers are able to put on a live event this year, even if it is to a limited audience and it’s fantastic that KPN will allow Eurovision fans in the Netherlands to be able to experience the event in immersive Dolby Atmos and allow them to feel as if they are actually there in the auditorium in Rotterdam from the comfort of their homes.”

The annual competition will be broadcast live with an audience in attendance, albeit at a lower capacity than normal. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, for the first time in its 64 year history. 

Representing the UK in Eurovision 2021 is James Newman (pictured), with the dance track Embers. The UK has won Eurovision five times, but has failed to impress judges in recent years, having last won in 1997, with Katrina and the Waves and Love Shine a Light. Favourites to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 include Italy’s glam rockers Måneskin, France with Barbara Pravi and Malta’s entry by Destiny.