ČT – the national broadcaster for Czechia – has confirmed the nation will be competing at Eurovision 2025. This comes, however, with a new approach and the scrapping of its national selection, ESCZ.
A new direction for Czechia
It had been announced that a decision on Czechia’s future in the Contest was agreed following Aiko’s non-qualification in Malmö. The announcement was said to be revealed in September, though details on what the decision was were not revealed.
Earlier this week, ČT gave more information on the selection process, opening a submissions window for interested singers. However, the broadcaster confirmed that it may decide to scrap the process altogether should the desired quality not be attained.
On Monday (September 9th), ČT formally announced their intention to participate at Eurovision 2025. However, with the announcement of Czechia’s participation came the news that ESCZ had been mothballed after six editions. This was confirmed by ČT themselves, who posted a tribute to previous Czech artists selected through the national selection.
A new selection – what to expect
In the place of ESCZ, a new selection was announced by the broadcaster. ČT announced that an internal selection would now take place, though submissions would remain open for interested singers until September 30th. Artists who are based in Czechia are allowed to participate, though international songwriters are also welcome.
The Czech song for 2025 will be selected through a mixture of Czech and international panels. A demoscopic jury will account for 40% of the decision, with an international jury making up another 40%. An internal panel at ČT will make up the remaining 20% and should there be a tie of any kind, ČT’s panel will have the final word.
Speaking on the shift in approach, Czech Head of Delegation Kryštof Šámal said:
It has been a wonderful journey to showcase Czech music on an international stage through ESCZ. Moving to a closed competition process encourages established artists to participate discreetly, without the added pressure of public competition. This approach also allows us to focus our resources on staging and both internal and external promotion. Our new direction is aimed at achieving the best possible result for Czechia, recognizing the potential for Eurovision to become the phenomenon here as it is in other European countries.
Kryštof Šámal, Czech Head of Delegation
Czechia’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. 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”.
Czechia opted for a national selection in 2024, ultimately choosing Aiko with the song “Pedestal”. “Pedestal” scored 38 points in the second semifinal, placing eleventh and just missing out on the Grand Final.
What do you think of Czechia’s decision? Who do you think should represent Czechia next year in Basel? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2025!
News Source: ČT
Photo Credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU
Giwrgos Oiko