Proposals have previously been made by the Committee of the Regions.
The Southwest Broadcasting Corporation (SWR) will take charge of the German preliminary rounds for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 2026, marking a significant shift from previous years. This change was confirmed by the SWR, following reports about the alterations in the ESC selection process.
In the past, the North German Broadcasting Corporation had managed the ESC preliminary rounds format for decades. However, the responsibilities will now be handed over to the SWR, as the ARD will manage the German preliminary rounds independently, without cooperation with RTL or entertainer Stefan Raab.
Stefan Raab, known for his involvement in the ESC preliminary rounds, including organising the event in 2010 and selecting Lena Meyer-Landrut, who brought Germany its first ESC victory since 1982, will not be part of the 2026 preliminary round planning. Raab returned to the camera in September 2024, after largely withdrawing from the public eye in 2015.
Raab had been reintegrated into the German ESC selection process in 2025 with the aim of improving Germany's chances of success. During this period, the sibling duo Abor & Tynna emerged victorious from the preliminary round led by Raab, only to finish in 15th place in the ESC in 2026.
The ARD's decision to manage the German preliminary rounds without Raab and his channel RTL was a joint one, following talks between the two entities. The changes also include a shift from the multi-round casting show format previously chosen by Raab as chief juror, to a single preliminary round on the First channel in 2026.
The details about the partners for the German preliminary round in 2026 have not been decided yet. The SWR has not announced any external partners for the production of the preselection.
In 1998, Raab composed the song "Guildo hat euch lieb" for Guildo Horn, who finished 7th in the Eurovision Song Contest. Raab also achieved a 5th place finish in the ESC in 1999 with the song "Wadde hatte dudde da?".
As the preparations for the German preliminary rounds for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 continue, the focus remains on finding the right talent to represent Germany in the international competition.
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