Europapress report that Generalitat Valencia, the regional government of the Valencian Community, are allocating €1.5 million for Benidorm Fest 2024. This is the same amount of money as allocated for the 2023 contest.
One of three sources of funding for Benidorm Fest
The money from Generalitat Valencia is expected, just as last year, to be spent on technical stage equipment for the Spanish national final. Other costs will be covered by Benidorm city council and by RTVE. Benidorm Fest cost RTVE a total of €4.07 million last year. Compared to 2022, the first year of Benidorm Fest, the funding from Valencia is a sizeable increase. That year, the regional government allocated €1 million to the contest.
What we know about Benidorm Fest 2024
Benidorm Fest 2024, the new Spanish national final first premiering in 2022, is returning for a third year in a row. For the first time, RTVE will also hold a songwriting camp which will connect international composers with Spanish musicians. In total, RTVE has received 825 submissions, 23 of which come from the songwriting camp. 16 songs will be picked in total and the participants will be revealed November 11 in Seville during the Latin Grammy Awards. The contest, which is held in Benidorm, will consist of two semi-finals on January 30 and February 1, and a Grand Final on February 3.
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.
In 2023, Spain selected Blanca Paloma to carry on the success of Chanel in 2022. As part of the Big 5, Blanca Paloma did not need to qualify to the Grand Final from the semi-finals. At the close of voting, her song “EAEA” finished 17th, with a total of 100 points. Of these, 95 points came from the jury, whilst 5 came from the televote.
Are you looking forward to Benidorm Fest 2024? And on what parts of production would you spend the most money on? As always, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we start gearing up for next year’s Contest!
News Source: Europa Press
Photo Credit: RTVE
