Throwing stones early, Switzerland’s French language broadcaster RTS have begun their search for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Making use of radio station Option Musique, applicants can start submitting their songs now.
RTS Submission window open
RTS are hoping to turn Swiss fortunes around and are looking for singers and songwriters who want to be Switzerland’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Israel. Would be entrants can submit their songs to Option Musique here. Typical Eurovision rules apply:
- The song cannot exceed three minutes in length.
- The song must not be published before 1st September 2018.
- A maximum of six participants on stage.
It has yet to be determined how the RTS submissions will filter into the wider complexity of the Swiss format. German language SRF, Italian language RSI and Romansh language RTR have yet to reveal their plans for 2019. Die Entscheidungsshow has been the format of choice during this decade, with the final selection of songs facing of in the national final. This has undergone a revamp in recent times, since the online platform where the public could vote was dropped and the expert check was introduced. Last year also saw the regional quota dropped, which boosted overall song submission to a record high.
Swiss struggles
Despite the tweaks to the format it has been an arduous road for Eurovision’s founding member. They have two victories, Lys Assia with ‘Refrain’ in the very first contest, which they hosted. Then again in 1988 with Celine Dion’s ‘Ne partez pas sans moi’. In the Entscheidungsshow era however, Switzerland only have two finalists this decade. Currently on a run of four non-qualifications, the last time Switzerland made the Grand Final was in 2014 with Sebaltar’s ‘Hunter of Stars’, which placed 13th. In 2018 ZiBBZ took to the stage in Lisbon with ‘Stones’ but could only manage 13th place in the first Semi-Final.
Can Switzerland turn it around in 2019? Who would you like to see represent them in Israel? Let us know in the comments and on social media @ESCXTRA
