It has long been known that the Eurovision song contest will be exported to the United States.

Now the deal has been locked - with one of the USA's largest television networks - NBC. 

- We presented the proposal to all major TV channels and streaming services before we landed in NBC.

Everyone knows what Eurovision is, says Peter Settman. 

But the majority of the American television audience is not familiar with the music competition from Europe.

The challenge for the Swedish team, led by Peter Settman and Christer Björkman, will be to convince them. 

Should reflect local music tradition

50 states will compete with each song.

- Now we work with casting, but over time we want each state to wash out its own songs.

And we want there to be roots from each region in the songs.

- The competition in its best form is when it sounds so different, but you can still agree that "this is the best song".

Whether it's from little Delaware or California or a banjo player from Kentucky.

When the news that the American song contest will premiere in 2022 was published on the Eurovision song contest's official Instagram account, the reactions hailed.

Many fans expressed concern that the competition will be diluted when it is exported. 

- ESC does not disappear just because there are several versions.

Not if every program finds out what the core of them is, their unique culture, says Peter Settman. 

"May work double shifts"

NBC already does live music competitions such as The voice and America's got talent.

But the American song contest is not a talent contest, Peter Settman emphasizes.

It is a show of difference, similarity and music with the task of uniting.

The budget is roughly equivalent to what Eurovision has, he guesses.

- The work is in full swing.

Traditionally, it is estimated that it takes a year to produce an ESC.

Now we are a little late in the start so we have to work double shifts. 

Does the program get a second chance if it flops?

- It's not me who decides.

But I think we are helping to create a legacy: an American culture that will last a long time.