Operación Triunfo 2018 starts soon - save the date!
The casting of Operación Triunfo 2018 is in its final phase. According to a statement from RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española), more than 16,000 candidates applied for the castings held in Barcelona, Sevilla, Alicante, Valencia, Mallorca, San Sebastian, Vigo, Tenerife, Malaga and Madrid.
According to Spanish website FormulaTV, the premiere of OT 2018 is just around the corner – save the date – it's the 17th September!
Where to watch...
The show will be broadcast on La 1, the television channel of Spanish public broadcaster (RTVE).
Also, be tuned to Operación Triunfo Oficial, the official YouTube channel, where you can watch all of the newest clips from this year's castings and shows.
This year castings novelty
According to Spanish production company Gestmusic, this year's castings were partially conducted online. Candidates could have published their cover videos on Twitter and Instagram with #OTCover and win the direct pass. Among more than 15,000 cover videos, more than 200 direct passes have been distributed.
What's next?
On 30th of August, 18 candidates have been selected for the opening gala. Just like last year, at the opening gala jury will propose four candidates to exit the show. Teachers will get the chance to save one of them, and the television audience will choose another one. Finally, 16 chosen participants will enter the academy, and one of them will probably wave the Spanish flag at the Eurovision stage in Israel.
Last year's candidates nostalgia
Some of the contestants of the 2017 edition - Amaia, Roi, Aitana and Ana Guerra, have made a surprise visit to the casting and the academy, which was their home for almost four months. As soon as they entered the academy, which is currently in the process of restoration, they became emotional and a lot of tears were cried. They expressed the wish to stay one night in the academy, before the new edition begins.
Will Operación Triunfo serve as Spanish national final?
According to eurovision-spain.com, a clause in the contract that must be signed by all the candidates, states that they accept the possibility of being chosen to represent Spain in Eurovision. It seems Operación Triunfo will again serve as the Spanish national selection. However, it is not yet confirmed by the Spanish broadcaster, RTVE.
Change of format?!
OT 2018 premieres five weeks earlier than OT 2017, which premiered on October 23rd. Last season of the show featured 12 weekly galas, a Christmas special, and a Final gala on February 5th, when Amaia Romero was announced as the winner. On 29th January, a week before the Final gala, Eurovision gala took place. Alfred García and Amaia Romero were selected with the song Tu canción, following with Aitana's Arde, and Lo malo by Aitana & Ana Guerra.
Considering last year's format, it would mean that this year's winner would be announced on December 31st, and the Eurovision Gala would took place on Christmas Eve, December 24th. It is still to be seen if RTVE will make some changes to the format and the dates of the galas, and will they change the way the Eurovision act is chosen.
What do you think, is OT a good format for choosing Spanish Eurovision act? Are you planning to watch the show? Who was your winner last year? Let us know in the comments and make sure to check Eurovoxx out on social media- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube.
