We don’t even know where Germany will finish in Eurovision 2024 yet, but Stefan Raab is already pitching his “rescue concept” to German broadcasters, according to DWDL.de. This news follows previous reports that Eurovision might leave NDR and that Raab was looking to get involved in the contest again.
Battle of the Broadcasters
The pitch by Stefan Raab and Daniel Rosemann did not limit itself to national German broadcaster ARD. Raab and his business partner Rosemann, who both have close ties with commercial broadcasters, envision the entire German media landscape collaborating. Their proposal sees Germany’s two major commercial broadcasting companies RTL (owned by the same group as Luxembourg’s RTL) and ProSieben/Sat.1 (the former of which was home to Lena’s selection), plus Germany’s second national public broadcaster ZDF hold their own contests. All of these will be produced in the same studio. However, every broadcaster would have full control over what their own night would look like. The winner of each night qualifies to the grand final. The final of the national final would be broadcast on Das Erste (ARD’s national broadcaster).
Will the Raab-Rosemann revolution happen?
According to the report by DWDL.de, the initial response to the pitch by Raab and Rosemann was one of uncertain interest. The ARD does not want to commit to such a radical change as of now. They want to wait for now, as they still see the opportunity for Isaak to perform well in Malmö. Meanwhile, the other broadcasters are unsure what they would get out of it as long as Eurovision stays in the hands of ARD. RTL also has to contend with the rocky relationship between Stefan Raab and TV personality Dieter Bohlen. Allegedly, Raab demands that Bohlen cannot be involved with this new format whatsoever. With discussions over fees, whether ARD can also hold their own preliminary round, and many other details also yet to be held, it will most likely take months until any decision and announcement is made.
Who is Stefan Raab?
Stefan Raab is a German TV- and music producer, presenter, singer, and songwriter. He has been a part of countless German TV shows in front and behind the camera. Eurovision fans will recognize Raab from finishing 5th in 2000 with his song “Wadde hadde dudde da?”. He also was the man behind Germany’s excellent run from 2010 through 2012, which included Lena winning with “Satellite”. Since then, he slowly withdrew from appearing on camera. First he stopped his Eurovision involvement in 2012 before closing off his on-camera TV career in 2015. In 2024, Raab and Rosemann (former station manager of ProSieben and Sat.1) founded the production company Raab Entertainment, which has so far made a deal with RTL Germany for a UEFA Euro 2024 related broadcast and now also is involved in this new Eurovision related pitch.
Germany’s Eurovision journey
Germany has been part of Eurovision since the beginning, debuting in 1956. Their debut entries were Walter Andreas Schwarz’s “Im Wartesaal zum großen Glück” and Freddy Quinn’s “So geht das jede Nacht”. Germany has appeared at every Eurovision except for 1996, which means they have been at more Contests than any other country. They have a long history of success in Eurovision, finishing in the top 3 an impressive 13 times. Germany has won the contest twice: Nicole won in 1982 with her song “Ein bißchen Frieden”, taking home 161 points. Their second win came in 2010, when Lena scored 246 points with her song “Satellite”.
Germany’s most recent Eurovision entry was Lord of the Lost with “Blood and Glitter”. As Germany is part of the Big 5, they automatically qualified for the Grand Final. In the Final, the song received 18 points and finished last – 26th – for the second year in a row.
What do you think of the Stefan Raab’s pitch? Do you think it would improve Germany’s results in Eurovision? Or Eurovision’s popularity in Germany? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all your Eurovision coverage!
News Source: DWDL.de
Photo Credit: DAPD
Giwrgos Oiko