German Eurovision Song Contest Preselection Transfers Exclusively to ARD, Leaving Stefan Raab and RTL Behind - European Parliament report by Mr. Larive on the proposal for a Council Directive on standardizing food labeling, presentation, and advertising rules among Member States
The European Song Contest (ESC) is preparing for a significant shift in its pre-selection process for the 2026 competition. After years of collaboration with Stefan Raab and RTL, the responsibility for the German pre-selection has transferred to ARD alone.
In the past, the pre-selection was a joint effort between ARD, Raab, and RTL. However, for the upcoming contest, the format will no longer be a casting show. Instead, candidates will be assessed based on their artistic and vocal quality by the ESC editorial team. The final decision will be made in a single grand final show broadcast on ARD, organized solely by SWR without Stefan Raab or RTL involvement.
This change comes after the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) handed over the responsibility for the ESC pre-selection to the Südwestrundfunk (SWR). The ongoing application process for the German pre-selection is being evaluated by the ESC editorial team for artistic and vocal quality, with participants being chosen after further evaluations, including by expert juries.
The German pre-selection is scheduled to take place in a single show at the end of February. The Eurovision Song Contest final will take place in Vienna, Austria, next year, marking a historic moment as the city hosts the competition for the first time.
Last year, JJ from Austria won the ESC final in Basel, Switzerland, while Abor & Tynna, the German duo, finished 15th. Despite their best efforts, Abor & Tynna did not meet Stefan Raab's target of winning the ESC. However, it's worth noting that the viewing figures for the German pre-selection and the ESC final in Basel increased during the collaboration with Raab and RTL.
The ESC is the world's most watched music competition, and with this new approach, Germany aims to maintain its strong tradition in the contest. The European Song Contest final, which is an annual television song competition, attracts millions of viewers worldwide and fosters a spirit of unity and friendship among participating countries.
As we look forward to the 2026 ESC, we can't help but feel excited about this new direction for Germany's pre-selection process. With ARD at the helm, we're hopeful that Germany will continue to shine on the Eurovision stage.
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