It’s the Eurovision down season, and don’t you for a second think we’re going to stop speculating, arguing, and pushing our heated opinions. Our latest series looked at the national finals of Eurovision, and discussing how we would reform the national finals of Eurovision. This time we’re creating national finals from scratch; starting with Czechia.
In part one of this series Rory, Angus and Daniel discuss how they’d create a national final for Czechia.
Full disclosure this was written before ESCZ was cancelled so this one is just a continuation of the previous reform series.
What is ESCZ?
Czechia has hit its stride at Eurovision over the past few years, and has responded by organizing a national final. ESCZ is a small contest, held in a small venue with fewer than 10 artists competing each year. Following live performances, voting is held online through official Eurovision channels, and the results are released the next week. The winner is determined by 70% international vote and 30% Czech vote.
Do we like what the NF does so far, and do we think there’s a chance of it producing a winner?
Daniel
If you asked me 20 months ago I would’ve told you it just had. Vesna might not have secured the bag, but I believe others in Czechia certainly can, ESCZ has been punching significantly above its weight for a long time now, and I could see it producing a song that goes all the way.
Angus
ESCZ was a great showcase of Czech artists even when it still was a glorified clipshow. I loved that ČT wasn’t afraid to experiment and keep building on what worked. Year on year we got a great and varied selection of songs, (almost) all of which had a strong case for deserving to go to Eurovision. I could’ve seen a winner pop out of it, although it mostly would’ve been on the back of the strength of the entries and less due to anything ESCZ did with its format or presentation.
Rory
As a format, ESCZ was one of the few selections I was genuinely excited for. This might be my personal view, but I often felt we never got a true sense of the Czech music scene until the show was introduced. Overall, the quality of songs grew every year, and it was starting to cement itself as a staple selection to follow. Yes, it had mixed results, but it helped to present a whole new side to Czechia to Eurovision fans, and I can’t thank it enough!
What changes would we make to the National Final?
Daniel
They took an admirable step this year but I don’t think it worked. I’d revert to something more similar to ESCZ22 or 23 (Both of which were absolutely brilliant in terms of songs). A live audience would be nice, but I’d rather not have one if it means sacrificing the production value. Give Adam Mišik a contract for life, and put it in a good studio.
The voting system is a fun differential to most NFs, and is a good idea, but executed very poorly. If you’re Czech, why would you care about voting for something when you can just get outranked by foreigners anyway? Change it to something like 80/20 Czech/Overseas, and I think you’re good to go.
Angus
I understand why they had an international televote but I hate hate hate hate hate that. If ČT were to go back to ESCZ someday, they need to severely reduce its influence on the result and the show itself. It has been painfully clear that the last two ESCZs in particular were made for the international audience and international audience only. While that was a unique gimmick to have, I much prefer being welcomed in by the hosts with a single sentence of English before proceeding as normal (hi Baltics, you’re all doing amazing!). Production value and especially sound mixing need improving if the live show ever returns, as it felt cheap even though I am sure it wasn’t. Frankly ESCZ was at its best with its 2022 edition, even though that wasn’t a liveshow! Everything about that year felt like it had good production value which made each entry feel well presented.
Rory
There are two things I would change to boost ESCZ’s overall reach. First, give the organisers more money; ESCZ 2024 had the same amount of money to work with as they had in 2023. That is why we had a small stage in a nightclub, because ČT would not give them an extra cash injection to go for somewhere a little larger. Secondly, is to bring ESCZ to ČT’s primary channel. In 2024, it was slapped on the channel purely dedicated for the arts, that barely anyone watched. Maintaining the viewership and building on that year-on-year would help stoke more public interest and help get bigger venues for bigger audiences. In reality, it’s a vicious circle, but it wasn’t one they could not fix.
Do we think any reforms are likely to happen to this NF?
Daniel
I would be absolutely gobsmacked if ESCZ came back unchanged. This year’s presentation didn’t really work, so I think they’ll be keen to swim back to safer water.
Angus
ESCZ has had radical changes in each of the last three editions alone, even if most of that was a case of presentation. Which, to be clear, has a major impact on everything! But yes, major changes were happening every year. Had they kept ESCZ, I wouldn’t have expected them to let up. Turns out that ČT went for the most radical reform possible and one I didn’t expect at all by scrapping ESCZ entirely. I think that is a great shame! But based on the songs that have been selected to compete in ESCZ, I feel that an internal selection will still see some great songs picked for Eurovision.
Rory
In general, ČT did adapt ESCZ each year, tweaking elements that did not work the previous year. They also took the show to new heights with a live national final for the first time in 15 years, so it wasn’t that reforms were off the table. As a new and malleable format, ČT tried everything to produce good results and save money at the same time. Now, with no ESCZ, I’m hoping the money earmarked for that selection will go into producing quality entries that boost public opinion. When it does, ESCZ can be brought back and be bigger and better than ever.
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 about our reforms? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Tim J