X Factor Malta final to be held on 26th January 2019

Eurovision information website, Eurovision-fr.net and the Maltese broadcaster, TVM, have today announced that the final of the X Factor Malta will be held on 26th January 2019, following three live shows on 6th, 13th and 20th January 2019. The winner of the final will go on to represent Malta in Tel Aviv next May.

A new format for Malta

It was announced in June that Malta would be ditching their old national final format, Malta Eurovision Song Contest and replacing it with the X Factor Malta, which began on 7th October 2018.

The show will now run until 26th January 2019, when the winner will be selected. However, the acts must first make their way through all the show’s rounds including the “Six Chair Challenge”, which has been recently filmed in the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’Qali, which is also where the live shows will be held. Just like any other X Factor series, the acts will be mentored by the four judges: Ira Losco, Ray Mercieca, Alexandra Alden and Howard Keith. 

The format of the final is currently unknown

Despite the date now being known for the final, no details have yet been announced relating to how many participants will take part in the final and whether or not the song for Eurovision will also be selected during the final in Ta’Qali. 

Tickets can now be purchased for the first three live shows at the Shows Happening website.

Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest

Malta first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 with Joe Grech and his song, “Marija I-Malitja”, which finished in last place with 52 points. They also finished last on their second attempt in the contest in 1972. After a third appearance in 1975, Malta withdrew from the contest until 1991, when they returned and finished in sixth place with 106 points. 

Since their return in 1991, Malta has finished in the top three on four occasions – Mary Spiteri with “Little Child” in 1992 and Chiara with “The One That I Love” in 1998 which both finished in third place, and also Ira Losco with “7th Wonder” in 2002 and Chiara with “Angel” in 2005, which both finished in second place. Malta has not yet won the contest, however.

In 2018, Malta failed to qualify for the second time in a row with Christabelle’s “Taboo”, which finished 13th in the second semi-final with 101 points. Christabelle also became the last participant to be selected for Eurovision via the Malta Eurovision Song Contest national final format. You can listen to Christabelle’s entry below:

Are you looking forward to the X Factor Malta final? Do you wish Malta would go back to their old format? Who do you want to see represent the island nation?

Let us know in the comments below or on social media @ESCXTRA.