Junior Eurovision Song Contest is next month, but already our stories are full of which songs are going to make it to the contest next year in Vienna. Updates on who and what is making the Eurovision headlines are all in the latest ESC Insight Newsletter.
This edition looks at the latest news from the UK and Ireland about their selection procedures, the fallout from Copenhagen and the final line up for Junior Eurovision. We also feature Robertson’s Reflection, this week Insight’s Ben Robertson is looking at the impact of news across Europe of more countries opening up their selection procedures, and comparing them with the chaos of Switzerland’s Eurovision Platform.
“None are quite as open as Swiss broadcaster SRF though. Keeping faith for the fourth year in a row with the online system shows commitment, but the quality is flagging. You are more likely to find your opportunistic dumpings from the likes of Staffan Mossige-Norheim than you are from anybody resembling a potential star. The only winner of the Swiss online preselection in this system was the problematic Heilsarmee, which perhaps took a step back in terms of the fully online method finding reputable songs. Spain (Baila el Chici Chici) and Lithuania (We Are The Winners) are also examples that show the results of giving full control to the public from all submissions.
Controlled and moderated though, open selections encourage participation, encourage creativity and pushing of musical boundaries. It’s a tough ask, and one that most broadcasters are rightly scared off from attempting. However, if you can find ways to moderate and tolerate the ridiculous and the atrocious, a grass-roots movement can steer long term success.”
To read more about Ben’s thoughts and the rest of the newsletter automatically in your inbox make sure to read and subscribe to it online. The latest edition of the newsletter is available to view here.