Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom 1974

The Eurovision Song Contest 1973 was won by Luxembourg, but its broadcaster CLT declined to host the contest again after staging it in 1973. Spain’s TVE, whose entry finished second, declined as well, and the EBU chose the BBC over bids from the Israeli broadcaster IBA and the commercial broadcaster ITV. The 1974 contest was therefore held in Brighton, the United Kingdom, the fifth time the United Kingdom hosted the contest. The final was held on 6 April in the Brighton Dome, a building completed in 1805 and originally built as stables for the Prince Regent. The presenter was Katie Boyle. 17 countries took part.

ABBA from Sweden won with Waterloo and 24 points, 6 points ahead of Italy’s Sì by Gigliola Cinquetti. The Netherlands’ I See a Star by Mouth and MacNeal was third. It was Sweden’s first victory. The point totals are much lower than in later years because the scoring system was different before 1975.

Sources: Wikipedia: Eurovision Song Contest 1974 (host selection, presenter, venue).