Spain | RTVE Promises 'Well Known Artist For Eurovision 2020'
RTVE have confirmed that it will be internally selecting it’s artist for the 2020 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
In a news report on the public broadcaster’s website, it says a ‘well known’ artist will be chosen to fly the flag for Spain in Rotterdam. This will be the first time since 2015 that RTVE will hand-pick the Spanish representative.
The decision follows a string of poor results for the Iberian country, often finishing below the betting odds leading up to the competition. Various national final formats had been tried and tested, leading to one top 10 finish in 2014 with Ruth Lorenzo’s song ‘Dancing in the Rain’. The rest, however, placed the country in the bottom five, including one performance finishing dead last in 2017.
It has also been announced that OT will return despite the change.
More recently, the reality-talent show hybrid Operación Triunfo was revived to select it’s artist for Eurovision in 2018 and 2019. Also known as OT, the program had two earlier runs on TVE from 2001 to 2004 and Telecinco from 2005 to 2011. Though the new editions have been a ratings success, the means of selection had seen some criticism from the public and has not yielded good results at Eurovision.
In 2018, Alfred & Amaia represented Spain with the ballad ‘Tu canción’. Not only did their performance land them at the 23rd spot, but in their home country the song was commercially overshadowed by another prospective entry put forward in the National Final program Gala Eurovisión. ‘Lo malo’ by Aitana & Ana Guerra was a number-one hit and finished in the top spot of the Promusicae year-end chart. Tu canción ranked 75th in that same chart.
Relive the moment, and check out Andy's interview with Miki below:
In 2019, Spain was represented by Miki and the uptempo rumba anthem ‘La venda’. Despite finishing 6th in OT, Miki was eligible to compete in Gala Eurovisión, and in the end his performance was selected over that of the program’s winner Famous Oberogo. Spain finished 22nd at the contest in Tel Aviv.
Despite the change in the selection process, OT is also set to return with auditions taking place throughout October and November.
Spain’s internal selections are a mixed bag
Over the past decade, three artists were selected internally for Spain. Their best result was with Pastora Soler who reached 10th place at the grand final in Baku with the power ballad ‘Quédate conmigo’. Using the same method in 2013 and 2015, the country was not so successful, finishing 25th and 21st respectively.
Needless to say, neither method has been consistently effective. Despite this, some Spanish artists are not turned off by the idea of representing their homeland. In recent interviews, both Famous Oberogo and former Tu cara me suena contestant, Diana Navarro, have shown great enthusiasm in the idea of taking to the Eurovision stage.
As for now, no further details have been given about who the 2020 artist may be. RTVE says the announcement will be made ‘very soon’.
Today's announcement has followed hot on the heels of the United Kingdom who recently informed the Eurovision community that the BBC will be pairing up with music giants BMG. Are you happy with the news that Spain will be going internal? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
