After opening the submission period in September, RTVE closed the submissions for Benidorm Fest 2023. The day after the submissions close, the Spanish broadcaster revealed that it has received 876 submissions for the 2nd edition of the competition.
Some facts about the submissions
Upon the reveal of the number of submissions received, RTVE has revealed some facts in regard to the submissions for this year’s competition.
- The submitted entries were received by the following method; 455 online, 27 via e-mail, and 394 directly from the record companies, and publishing labels. The number of submissions is down from 2021, where RTVE received 886 for Benidorm Fest 2022.
- The first entry was submitted 2 minutes after it had opened, and the last entry was received at 23:56CEST. RTVE revealed that many artists submitted their entries within the last 24 hours of the submission period, where around 150 submissions were submitted.
- A mixture of unknown artists, emerging artists, singers from talent shows, and even previous Eurovision participants.
- In terms of the age range, the youngest age in the submission will turn 16 in 2023, with someone due to celebrate their 76th birthday in 2023.
- There is a diversity of genres, from pop to ballads, folk, flamenco, fusion, rock, Latin, rap, and reggaeton.
RTVE will now be assessing the 876 submissions it has received, which will be done by RTVE professionals in order to select the 16 entries that will be competing in Bendiform Fest 2023. The successful artists would then be contacted throughout November, where the Master Copy of their entry would be sent to begin the production of their entry.
Spain’s Eurovision 2023 representative to be selected on February 4
As we have previously reported, the shows will take place on January 31 (Semi-Final 1), February 2 (Semi-Final 2), and February 4 (Grand Final), with Mónica Naranjo confirmed as one of the hosts. Tickets for the shows will be between €20-€60, with further details being revealed after summer, RTVE has revealed that next year’s shows will have a bigger capacity, compared to 2022.
María Eizaguirre has also confirmed that during the week of Benidorm Fest, there will be a daily program that will comment on all of the news relating to the 2023 edition of the competition. In addition, the competing artists will also appear in a Christmas gala, which RTVE will broadcast at the end of 2022.
Spain’s Eurovision Journey
Spain debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with Conchita Bautista’s “Estando Contigo”. The country earned its first win in 1968 with Massiel’s “La La La”, and won again in 1969 with Salome’s “Vivo Cantando” in an infamous four-way tie. Although they have yet to win again, Spain earned several 2nd place finishes, most famously with Mocedades’ “Eres tu” in 1973 and Anabel Conde’s “Vuelve conmigo” in 1996.
Spain’s recent participation saw them enter the Top 5 when Chanel finished in 3rd place with 459 points from the jury and televoters with her song “SloMo”.
Are you happy that Benidorm Fest is returning in 2023? Who do you think will follow Chanel’s footsteps and represent Spain in Liverpool? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023.
News Source: RTVE
Photo Credit: RTVE
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