Czech broadcaster ČT has announced that national selection ESCZ will return on 30th January. For the first time, a live show will take place as the Czech Republic chooses their next representatives for Eurovision!
More details to be revealed in due course
The selection will be live show from Prague, with more details about the selection to follow in the coming weeks.
Ahmad Halloun, International Head of Press, stated:
“It will be a modest and high-quality show, once again we are focusing on showcasing Czech Talent internationally, and a Live show is a fantastic way to do so, the show will be focused of course on a Czech and International audience, something everyone will enjoy”.
Kryštof Šámal, Head of Delegation for ČT, also expressed his excitement for this year’s selection:
“I am proud of how the brand has grown at least in the Czech music scene, the platform is becoming extremely interesting and attractive. I am pleased to announce that we have received an overwhelming response from the Czech music industry. More than 170 songs were submitted – mostly from Czech composers – and all with Czech vocalists. Picking just a handful of songs is getting more and more difficult and we hope to finalize the names of the finalists in the coming days. More details about the show will be revealed in the coming weeks.”
Three artists are expected to take part in the selection.
Czech Republic’s Eurovision Journey
Czechia made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, with Kabát’s “Malá dama”. However, their debut entry finished last in a 28-song semi-final, scoring only 1 point. Afterwards, this kicked off three consecutive non-qualifications, with their best result coming in 2008, finishing in second-last place. Having withdrawn in 2009 due to poor results, Czechia returned to the Contest in 2015. In 2016, Czechia qualified for the first time with Gabriela Gunciková’s “I Stand”.
In 2022, We Are Domi represented Czechia with their song “Lights Off”. Performing in the second semi-final in Turin, the band qualified for the final – and finished in 22nd place in a field of 25 with 38 points.
Are you excited to see the return of ESCZ? Which artists would you like to see compete? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we look ahead to Eurovision 2023!
News Source: Ahmad Halloun/ČT
Photo Credit: EBU / Sarah Louise Bennett
