Operación Triunfo 2018 confirmed for Spain’s Eurovision 2019 selection

RTVE the Spanish national broadcaster has announced during the live launch for Operación Triunfo 2018 that once again the same method will select Spain’s Eurovision 2019 entry for Tel Aviv.

Operación Triunfo 2018 to select Spain’s entry

The show that took social media by storm last year is back and ahead of its 10^th series a live launch was held to reveal more details. Yet again Operación Triunfo will provide a route to the Eurovision Song Contest for its Academy participants. Gala 0 will act as the final live casting show, whereby the 18 OT acts will be whittled down to the final 16 progressing to the Academy.

Weekly eliminations will culminate in a Gala Eurovision, where the lucky remaining few will compete for the chance to become Spain’s representative in Tel Aviv. Given the early start for OT this year, Spain could likely be one of the first to select their 2019 entry. RTVE have announced 14 shows for the upcoming series, which would see a mid-December conclusion.

Changes to the format

Although it was previously revealed that the show would continue to air in its Monday slot, this has changed. After much deliberation and considering viewing data, it was decided that OT will now air on Wednesday’s. This means the new series will air next week, Wednesday 19th September at 22:30 (CET). Viewers can watch the show on La 1 and follow live 24hr from the Catalonia based Academy on the official YouTube channel. 

Also seeing changes is the judging panel for the 2018 series. Having announced the departure of Monica Naranjo, it has been revealed Ana Torroja will be her replacement. Formerly of the group, Mecano, Ana has over four decades of experience in the music business.

Who is in the 2018 Academy?

Drama has unfolded before the series has even begun! Unfortunately one successful candidate has had to announce their withdrawal from the show. Sharing the news during the live launch, José Antonio revealed that due to his medical studies he can no longer continue in the competition.

Further details about the selected candidates will be announced later today. However it will be another young entrant for Spain in Eurovision 2019 as the ages for the remaining cast range from 18-26 years old.

Following an update from RTVE this evening, here is the new line-up for OT 2018 below:

OT at Eurovision

The first series of Operación Triunfo saw Rosa Lopez take the overall win and her song Europe’s Living A Celebration to Tallinn. At the 2002 contest she placed 7th, Spain’s second best result this century. Thus it is also the most successful Eurovision result for the OT format. Two more entrants from followed, also obtaining top 10 results. Firstly Beth with Dime in Riga and secondly Ramón with Para llenarme De Ti in Istanbul. Despite this early success, other formats later took over as Spain’s selection process for Eurovision. OT would later be cancelled in 2011 before it’s successful comeback in 2017.

Justifying its return as a ratings hit and social media phenomenon, the 2017 series saw Alfred and Amaia take to the Lisbon stage. Their song Tu Canción won the Gala Eurovision show with 43% of the vote. Sadly this did not translate to the votes in Eurovision and the young couple had to settle for 23rd place in the Grand Final.

What do you think of Spain’s early start? Will you be watching the new series of OT? Let us know in the comments and on social media @ESCXTRA