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, [lower-alpha 1] Flag of France.svg France, Flag of Greece.svg Greece, Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland, [lower-alpha 1] 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 [lower-alpha 2] [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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest</span> Overview of the role of Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest

Germany has officially participated in every Eurovision Song Contest since its inaugural edition in 1956, except in 1996 when its entry did not qualify past the audio-only pre-selection round, and consequently was not seen in the broadcast final and does not count as one of Germany's 66 appearances. No other country has been represented as many times. Along with France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, Germany is one of the "Big Five" countries that are automatically prequalified for the final, due to being the largest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The final is broadcast in Germany on ARD's flagship channel, Das Erste.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest</span> Overview of the performance of Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Switzerland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 63 times since making its debut at the first contest in 1956, missing only four contests, in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Switzerland hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, and won it. Switzerland won the contest again in 1988, with the 1989 contest being held in Lausanne.

The Bundesvision Song Contest was a song competition held annually between the sixteen states of Germany. Created by German entertainer Stefan Raab and aired live on ProSieben, the show was loosely based on the Eurovision Song Contest, with slightly different rules aiming at promoting German-language music by requiring that at least 50% of each song's lyrics were performed in German.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spain in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span>

The participation of Spain in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest first began at the inaugural Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark. Televisión Española (TVE), a division of Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) and member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), were responsible for the selection process of their participation. Spain used a national selection format, broadcasting a show entitled Eurojunior, for their participation at the contests. The first representative to participate for the nation at the 2003 contest was Sergio with the song "Desde el cielo", which finished in second place out of sixteen participating entries, achieving a score of 125 points. Spain did not participate from 2007 to 2018, but returned to the contest in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portugal in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span>

The participation of Portugal in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest first began at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 which took place in Bucharest, Romania. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), were responsible for the selection process of their participation. Portugal used a national selection format, broadcasting a show entitled "Festival da Canção Junior", for their participation at the contests. This was a junior version of Festival da Canção, the national music competition organised by broadcaster RTP to choose the Portuguese entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The first representative to participate for the nation at the 2006 contest was Pedro Madeira with the song "Deixa-me sentir", which finished in second-last place out of fifteen participating entries, achieving a score of twenty-two points. Their worst result to date has been achieved by Rita Laranjeira with her song "Gosto de tudo " in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 where she placed 18th. Portugal withdrew from competing in 2008, and returned in 2017. They withdrew again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Portugal returned in 2021, where they achieved 11th place, their best result up to that point. In 2022 the country surpassed this record and reached 8th place.

Germany participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Standing Still" written by Steve Robson, Jamie Cullum and Wayne Hector. The song was performed by Roman Lob. The German entry for the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan was selected through the national final Unser Star für Baku, organised by the German broadcaster ARD in collaboration with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) and private broadcaster ProSieben. The national final featured 20 competing artists and consisted of five heats, a quarter-final, a semi-final and a final held in January and February 2012 2012. Contestants were selected to advance in the competition via public televote. Two contestants qualified to compete in the final where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. "Standing Still" performed by Roman Lob was selected as the German entry for Baku after gaining 50.7% of the votes in the second round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albania in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Albania debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), a member organisation of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has been responsible for the selection process of their participants since their debut.

Germany participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Glorious" written by Yann Peifer, Manuel Reuter, Andres Ballinas and Tony Cornelissen. The song was performed by Cascada. The German entry for the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden was selected through the national final Unser Song für Malmö, organised by the German broadcaster ARD in collaboration with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR). The national final took place on 14 February 2013 and featured twelve competing acts with the winner by the votes of a five-member jury panel, a radio vote and a public televote. "Glorious" performed by Cascada was selected as the German entry for Malmö after gaining the most points following the combination of votes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span> Overview of Germany in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Germany debuted at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Warsaw, Poland. KiKa, the children's channel jointly owned by European Broadcasting Union (EBU) members ARD and ZDF, is responsible for the country's participation. Germany finished last place on their debut in 2020, when Susan Oseloff represented the country with "Stronger with You". For the 2021 competition, KiKa selected Pauline with the song "Imagine Us".

Germany participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "You Let Me Walk Alone" written by Michael Schulte, Thomas Stengaard, Nisse Ingwersen and Nina Müller. The song was performed by Michael Schulte. The German entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal was selected through the national final Unser Lied für Lissabon, organised by the German broadcaster ARD in collaboration with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR). The national final took place on 22 February 2018 and featured six competing acts with the winner selected by the votes of a 100-member Eurovision panel, a 20-member international jury panel and a public televote. "You Let Me Walk Alone" performed by Michael Schulte was selected as the German entry for Lisbon after gaining the most points following the combination of votes.

Germany participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Sister" written by Laurell Barker, Marine Kaltenbacher, Tom Oehler and Thomas Stengaard. The song was performed by the duo S!sters, consisting of Laurita Kästel and Carlotta Truman. The German entry for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel was selected through the national final Unser Lied für Israel, organised by the German broadcaster ARD in collaboration with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR). The national final took place on 22 February 2019 and featured seven competing acts with the winner selected by the votes of a 100-member Eurovision panel, a 20-member international jury panel and a public televote. "Sister" performed by S!sters was selected as the German entry for Tel Aviv after gaining the most points following the combination of votes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kazakhstan in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Kazakhstan participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest from 2018 through 2022. Khabar Agency (KA), an associate member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is responsible for the country's participation in the contest. As an associate member, the nation cannot apply to participate on its own and requires a special invitation from the contest organisers to take part in future editions. The country's best result to date is second place, which it achieved in the 2019 and 2020 contests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020</span> International song competition for youth

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was the 18th edition of the annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest, organised by Telewizja Polska (TVP) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The contest took place on 29 November 2020, and was held in Warsaw, Poland, following the country's victory at the 2019 contest with the song "Superhero" by Viki Gabor. This was the first time the contest was held in the same country for two consecutive years.

The Free European Song Contest 2020 was the first edition of the Free European Song Contest, organised by the German television network ProSieben and the production company Brainpool TV. It served as an alternative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, which was planned to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021</span> International song competition for youth

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the 19th edition of the annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest, organised by France Télévisions and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The contest was held on 19 December 2021 at La Seine Musicale in Paris, France, following the country's victory at the 2020 contest with the song "J'imagine", performed by Valentina. This was the first time the contest was held in France, as well as the first Eurovision event to be held in the country since Eurovision Young Dancers 1999 in Lyon and the first to be held in Paris since Eurovision Young Dancers 1989.

Germany participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Paris, France. Pauline represented the country with the song "Imagine Us", having won the national final Junior ESC - Wer fährt nach Paris? on 10 September, organised by the television station KiKa.

The Free European Song Contest 2021 was the second edition of the Free European Song Contest, organised by the German television network ProSieben and the production company Raab TV.

Germany participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy with the song "Rockstars" performed by Malik Harris. The German entry for the 2022 contest was selected through the national final Germany 12 Points, organised by the German broadcaster ARD in collaboration with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR). The national final took place on 4 March 2022 and featured six competing acts with the winner being selected through online radio voting and public voting.

Germany is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with "Always on the Run" performed by Isaak. The German broadcaster ARD, in collaboration with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), organised the national final Eurovision Song Contest –Das deutsche Finale2024 in order to select the German entry for the 2024 contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statues (Amy Macdonald song)</span> 2021 single by Amy Macdonald

"Statues" is a 2021 single released by Scottish singer Amy Macdonald from her fifth studio album The Human Demands (2021). It was released in February 2021 as the albums fourth single via both Infectious Music and BMG, and was selected to represent Scotland at the Free European Song Contest 2021, finishing in fourth place with 77 points.

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.