Recommendations have been put forth by the Committee of the Regions.
In the world of Eurovision, changes are afoot for the 2026 contest. The German broadcaster, ARD, has taken over the national selection process alone, with no involvement from Stefan Raab or RTL. This marks a significant shift from previous years, where Raab had played a pivotal role.
Raab, a prominent figure in German Eurovision history, made headlines in 2010 when he organised the preliminary round and selected Lena Meyer-Landrut. Meyer-Landrut brought Germany its first victory since 1982 with her win that year. However, Raab will not be part of the 2026 selection process.
The sibling duo Abor & Tynna, who emerged as winners from a preliminary round led by Raab in an unspecified year, will not find him in the mix this time either. The duo reached 15th place in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 2023, despite Raab's announcement of victory as the goal.
The ARD's takeover of the German ESC preliminary round is not the only change. There will be one big decision for the national final in 2026 instead of several shows, and the preliminary round will be broadcast at the end of February. Interestingly, there will only be one preliminary round in the first half of 2026 instead of multiple rounds, making the selection process more streamlined.
The German preliminary round in 2026 will no longer be a casting show, a departure from the format that had been in place for decades, courtesy of the North German Broadcasting Corporation. Instead, the Southwestrundfunk (SWR) will take full responsibility for the preliminary round for the first time in 2026.
Raab largely withdrew from public life in 2015 but returned to the camera in September 2024. However, his return to the German ESC selection process was in 2025, a year before his departure. Notably, Raab composed the song 'Guildo has you love' for Guildo Horn in 1998, a year when Raab himself reached fifth place in the ESC with 'Wadde hatte dudde da?'.
Lena Meyer-Landrut, selected by Raab in 2010, brought Germany its last ESC victory to date in 2010. The next Eurovision Song Contest will take place in May 2026 in Vienna. The 2026 contest will be a new chapter in German Eurovision history, with the ARD and SWR at the helm, and Raab taking a backseat.
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