Albania: Festivali i Këngës 57 Participants Announced

Albania – The national broadcaster of Albania, RTSH, has announced the 22 participants taking part in this year’s Albanian national selection, Festivali i Këngës 57. There will be two semi-finals on 20th & 21st December 2018. The grand final is to be held on22nd December 2018. 

Ukraine: Vidbir Final on 23rd February

Ukraine – Ukrainian boroadcaster UA:PBC and their partner STB have announced that Vidbir will once more be the vehicle used to select the country’s Eurovision Song Contest representative. The final will take place on 23rd February 2019.

Australia to Host First National Final!

Australia – Australia media outlet The Courier Mail revealed yesterday that Australia is set to decide its representative for Tel Aviv by national final… the first time it has used this method. Previous entrants have all been chosen internally by broadcaster SBS. 

Bulgaria Withdraws from Eurovision 2019?

Bulgaria – Sad news this morning as it appears that Bulgaria will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Deyan Yordanov, project co-ordinator from the Bulgarian delegation, originally posted that it was his last day setting off rumours. This was followed by BNT’s Twitter appearing to confirm the withdrawal.

Malta : XFactor Malta Starts Tonight

Malta – Tonight sees the start of the Maltese selection for Eurovision as XFactor Malta begins. The Maltese representative for Tel Aviv will be chosen via this method this year. The first programme sees auditions in front of the judges, and airs at 20.50 (CET).

Germany: Eleven Acts Revealed, Four Unknown

Germany – The workshop held by Germany this week has concluded and 11 of the 15 Acts have been revealed. A the end of the workshop 5 acts withdrew, and 4 of the remaining 15 decided not to reveal themselves as yet.  

France: New Head of Delegation Appointed

France – Edoardo Grassi has been replaced as the French Head of Delegation after three successful year’s at the helm. Eurovision France’s official Twitter account made the news public this morning thanking him for his contribution but saying in future it would be an in-house appointment.