Free European Song Contest

Last updated

Free European Song Contest
Free European Song Contest FreeESC.svg
Also known as
  • FreeESC
GenreSong contest
Created by Stefan Raab
Based on Eurovision Song Contest
Country of originGermany
Original languageGerman
No. of episodes
  • 2 contest
Production
Executive producerStefan Raab
Running time
  • ~4 hours (finals)
Production company Brainpool TV
Original release
Network ProSieben
Release15 May 2020 (2020-05-15)

The Free European Song Contest is an international song competition, organised by the German television network ProSieben and the production company Brainpool TV, with participants representing primarily European countries. The contest is similar in format to the long-running Eurovision Song Contest: each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television, then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the winner.

Contents

The overall winner of the contest is the entry that has received the most points after the scores from every country have been collected and totalled.

History

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 could not take place due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Europe, German TV station ProSieben and German entertainer Stefan Raab decided to organise Free European Song Contest as an alternative. [1] After the success of the first edition, ProSieben has decided to plan the event also for 2021. [2]

The first contest was held in the city of Cologne, Germany, on 16 May 2020. Sixteen countries participated: each participating country submitted an entry. The contest was won by Nico Santos, representing Spain, with the song "Like I Love You".

A third edition was announced for 2022 during the show. However, on 25 June 2022, it was announced that the show would be suspended for a year and would return in 2023 for a third edition. [3] The 2023 contest was cancelled in May of that year. [4]

Participation

YearCountry making its début entry
2020 Flag of Austria.svg Austria, Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria, Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia, Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark, Flag of Germany.svg Germany, Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland, Flag of Israel.svg Israel, Flag of Italy.svg Italy, Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan, Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands, Flag of Poland.svg Poland, Flag of Spain.svg Spain, Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland, Noia 64 apps kmoon.png The Moon, Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey, Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
2021 [5] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium, Flag of England.svg England, [a] Flag of France.svg France, Flag of Greece.svg Greece, Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland, [a] Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia

The following countries have all participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, or are eligible to compete by the standards of the Free European Song Contest, but have not had either public or private broadcasters indicate interest in participating (as of yet):

Competition history

EditionDate of finalYearHost broadcaster(s)Host cityCountriesWinner(s)PerformerSongPointsMarginRunner up3rd placeRef.
1st16 May 2020 ProSieben Flag of Germany.svg Cologne 16Flag of Spain.svg Spain Nico Santos "Like I Love You"10416Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Noia 64 apps kmoon.png The Moon [6]
2nd15 May 2021 Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland Rea Garvey "The One"11622Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium [b] [7] [8]

Medal table

The table below shows the top-three placings from each contest, along with the years that a country won the contest.

CountryGold medal icon.svgSilver medal icon.svgBronze medal icon.svgTotalYears won
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland 1001 2021
Flag of Spain.svg Spain 1001 2020
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 0202—
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 0011—
Noia 64 apps kmoon.png The Moon 0011—

Presenters

YearPresenter(s)
2020 Steven Gätjen and Conchita Wurst
2021

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 In 2020, England and Scotland participated as separate countries of the United Kingdom.
  2. ↑ Both Belgium and Scotland finished with 77 points; however, the official ranking and Eurovision tiebreak rules would put Belgium ahead of Scotland.

References

  1. ↑ "Free European Song Contest - Stefan Raab und ProSieben rufen freien europäischen Songwettbewerb aus!". www.prosieben.de (in German). 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. ↑ Granger, Anthony (17 May 2020). "ProSieben Confirms Free European Song Contest to Return in 2021". Eurovoix World. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Rick (25 June 2022). "Ein Jahr Pause: Der #FreeESC kehrt erst 2023 wieder zurück" [Paused for a year: The #FreeESC will only return again in 2023]. ESC kompakt (in German). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Hertlein, Benjamin (15 May 2023). "FreeESC 2023 abgesagt – Zukunft des ProSieben-Wettbewerbs ungewiss" [FreeESC 2023 called off – future of the ProSieben competition uncertain]. ESC kompakt (in German). Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  5. ↑ Granger, Anthony (29 April 2021). "Countries competing in the Free European Song Contest 2021 Revealed". Eurovoix World. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  6. ↑ Granger, Anthony (31 March 2020). "Germany: ProSieben Announces Free European Song Contest". Eurovoix World. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Granger, Anthony (17 May 2020). "ProSieben Confirms Free European Song Contest to Return in 2021". Eurovoix World. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  8. ↑ Granger, Anthony (16 May 2021). "Rea Garvey Wins The Free European Song Contest 2021". Eurovoix World. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
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