Chefsache ESC, the new national final for Germany, is fast approaching. With rumours about who is competing reaching fever pitch, artists are now also weighing in on whether they are in or out. As ESC kompakt writes, much of this has been happening on Instagram. The question remains: Wer singt für Deutschland?
Who might be in and who is out of Chefsache ESC
It is as of yet unknown who will be selected for the 2025 German national final, but seemingly everyone in the German music business has feelings one way or the other. Tim Bendzko, who has multiple top 10s in his country and genuinely is a huge name, is skeptical for one. In an Instagram Q&A which is now unavailable but screenshot by ESC kompakt, he said he doesn’t think it is looking likely he will be taking part. Also saying nothing definitive but striking an optimistic note are metalcore band From Fall To Spring. In Instagram comments, the band stated that they still have hope they get in.
Some acts have revealed they have been officially rejected. This includes Esther Filly with her song “Child Of The Moon”. She competed last year in Ich will zum ESC!, the frankly bizarre wildcard-docutainment-talent show that selected the final finalist for the German NF last year. Sandron, who reached the quarter-finals of Deutschland sucht den Superstar (German Idol) in 2017, also reportedly was rejected with his song “Galgen ruft”.
What we know about Chefsache ESC
Chefsache ESC is the new national final format for Germany. It is an unlikely collaboration between public broadcaster ARD and commercial broadcaster RTL, pitched and led by Stefan Raab. This kind of collaboration last happened also with Raab, and led to the memorable victory of Lena in 2010. After a break from TV the producer is now back and once again hopes to bring his country Eurovision glory. The format will consist of four shows starting February 14th, with the final airing on the 1st of March. Rounds 1, 2, and 3 will air on RTL while the final will be broadcast on ARD. There have been over 3000 applications for only 24 spots in the national final. A limited amount of tickets are still available for some shows. Those involved have said that Chefsache ESC will only continue if Germany wins Eurovision this year.
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 Isaak with “Always on the Run”. As Germany is part of the Big 5, they automatically qualified for the Grand Final. In the Final, the song received 117 points and finished in 12th place – the first time the country has finished on the left hand side of the scoreboard since 2018.
Who would you like to see at Chefsache 2025? Will the change in format bring Germany a Eurovision win? 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, Tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2025!
News Source: ESC kompakt
Photo Credit: Raab Entertainment
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