"Spaceman" is on the Radio 1 playlist, it's C-list but still this is actually a big deal. When was the last time a UK Eurovision song achieved that? Possibly Blue "I Can" in 2011?
I sense that Sam Ryders's record company Parlophone are timing this well, a real build up to the contest.
Firstly, the last UK Eurovision entry to be playlisted was actually Precious back in
1999.
Personally, I think the Radio 1 playlist actually happening is exciting... but not for the reason you think.
Thing is, Radio 1
used to influence the charts, but rather than being trendsetters the station is now more of a signal booster to songs that are already viral/trending in this country. If you look at the Radio 1 playlist it's typically songs that are already charting on Spotify, viral on TikTok, are a new release from the same 4/5 artists (Ed Sheeran or George Ezra, typically), or an album track from a band they back (atm, Foals, Wet Leg, Fontaines DC). Radio 1 doesn't 'make' a song - typically it just pushes an already established song slightly further.
Sam making Radio 1 could be the last boost it needs to make the charts here, or it'll do nothing at all. It's already high on iTunes thanks to Radio 2 playlisting it over a week ago, it's now charting on Shazam so it's clearly getting radio play on local/commercial radio and elsewhere. Making the Radio 1 playlist is no more a big deal than Space Man making MTV's playlist, or Spotify featuring it on a number of UK Pop playlists.
BUT...
There is one reason it's a big deal - and it's inherently about the BBC itself. The last two decades of entries never got playlisted by the main radio station of their own national broadcaster. Hell, when Maneskin won the contest and started charting in the UK with multiple songs it took Radio 1 about three weeks to get around to playlisting it.
Eurovision had a stigma in the BBC. Lee Smithurst talked all about it on that podcast he did the other week with The Euro Trip.
Thing is, Space Man getting playlisted is a really good sign for the continued support of Eurovision in this country. It proves the change of attitude in the BBC towards Eurovision that Smithurst noted in the podcast, that the BBC are actually rallying and backing Sam Ryder. It's a sign of the country getting behind the song with renewed optimism. It's a sign that the BBC have noted Sam's chances of doing well with the backing of his record label around Europe.
And, ultimately, it's a really good sign of continued strong support next year. In my opinion, the chances of BBC going back to TaP next year are 100%. The BBC were scared of Eurovision for a long time, but they needed to realise that
a high tide raises all ships. Our Eurovision entry doing well reflects well on the BBC just as much as the artist, their record label, and their management. They shouldn't be scared of accidentally winning with a good song - they should have been scared of finishing last twice in a row and ruining their reputation as a broadcaster. Sam doing well is a win-win-win-win-win for Parlophone, TaP, Sam Ryder, Eurovision itself, and ultimately the BBC.