Hot on the heels of Spain’s success at Eurovision 2022, broadcaster RTVE revealed it would repeat the popular Benidorm Fest format for its Eurovision 2023 selection. The July press conference confirmed plenty of details about the Spanish selection process for 2023, including the announcement that Mónica Naranjo would be among the hosts for the live shows. Since then, we’ve learned the names of the artists set to participate and the titles of the competing songs.
Now, the Spanish broadcaster has finalised the presenters for Benidorm Fest 2023: Rodrigo Vázquez will join Inés Hernand and Mónica Naranjo to complete the hosting line-up.
About the hosts
Already a veteran of Galician television, Rodrigo Vázquez has more recently become a familiar face on RTVE’s La 1 channel since he started hosting ‘El Cazador’ (‘The Chase’) in March this year. He also co-presented special programme ‘Benidorm Fest: los elegidos’ (‘Benidorm Fest: the chosen ones’), which introduced the 18 artists scheduled to compete in Benidorm Fest 2023.
Inés Hernand returns to the line-up after co-hosting Benidorm Fest 2022. The Madrileña has many strings to her bow: as well as presenting television, she also produces and directs both comedy and current affairs podcasts, is a published journalist, and used to run a YouTube channel discussing legal issues – naturally.
Singer Mónica Naranjo has enjoyed success in both her adopted home of Mexico and her native Spain for nearly three decades. She has also judged and hosted several television programmes, including sitting on the jury for the Spanish Eurovision selection shows in 2014 and 2017.
What do we know about Benidorm Fest 2023 so far?
RTVE’s latest announcement completes the details regarding Spain’s selection for Eurovision 2023.
Benidorm Fest 2023 Semi-Finals will take place on 31st January and 2nd February, with the Grand Final on 4th February, when Spain’s representative for Eurovision 2023 will be chosen.
Spanish musician Nacho Cano will sit as president of the jury, which will also feature former Melodifestivalen producer Christer Björkman. The voting system will remain the same as for 2022, namely: 50% jury vote, 25% televote, and 25% demoscopic jury vote.
Alongside the live shows, the week of Benidorm Fest will feature daily programming commenting on news relating to the 2023 edition of the competition. The contestants will also appear in a Christmas gala broadcast by RTVE 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 it has yet to win again, Spain has earned several second-place finishes, most famously with Mocedades’ ‘Eres Tu’ in 1973 and Anabel Conde’s ‘Vuelve Conmigo’ in 1996.
Spain’s recent participation saw it enter the top five when Chanel finished in third place with 459 points from the jury and televoters with her song ‘SloMo.’
Are you excited for the next edition of Benidorm Fest? Who do you think should follow in Chanel’s footsteps at next year’s Eurovision? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!
News source: RTVE
Photo credit: RTVE
6 thoughts on “🇪🇸 Benidorm Fest 2023 hosts confirmed”