Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung have reported that ORF is planning to internally select both the song and artist for Tel Aviv 2019. According to the report, an internal decision is due to be made in December from a selection of potential candidates.
Third time is the charm?
Following from 2017 and 2018 respectively, 2019 would mark the third year in a row that ORF have decided to go for an internal selection. Looking at this decade, the Austrian broadcaster have generally favoured a national final to select their Eurovision entry. However, the exception to this rule, pre-2017 happened to win the contest in Copenhagen! Conchita Wurst, known affectionately as the ‘bearded lady’, has recently released a her second album – ‘From Vienna with Love‘.
Given that Austria has a 100% qualification with internal selections this decade and two top 3 placings in the final… is it too early to suggest Austria have found a recipe for success?
Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018
Cesár Sampson represented Austria in Lisbon with the song ‘Nobody But You’. Thanks to his captivating vocals and striking staging he came 3rd in the final with a total of 342 points, a pleasant surprise to some Eurovision fans. This was mainly due to an overwhelming amount of support from the juries – including 12 points from no less than nine countries!
Who do you think could be Cesár Sampson’s successor? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on social media @ESCXTRA!
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