Ceska Televize has announced that seven acts will be competing in Eurovision Song CZ 2020. This is one entry down from the previously announced number of eight acts and the number of acts from 2019s selection. As yet, the broadcaster have not outlined why a reduction has been made. However, given the move away from a televised national final, it seems there could be a link to this withdrawal.
Online national final
Last month, the broadcaster announced its 2020 national final will no longer be broadcasted on television. Instead, ČT will revert to an online process which has previously been used.
After a few weeks of long and very difficult decision-making, we have decided, due to many and many circumstances that hosting our selection format on TV will be delayed, hopefully to next year. We want to do something really different and this year we felt it would just not work so we didn’t want to do it.
ČT (translated from Czech)
We will return to the online process from the previous two years. But don’t worry, we’re doing everything to make the upcoming online national final improve again a little further, so follow our online media channels for more information.
Change of timeline
The timeline for the Czech selection process has changed with the amendment to the format. Originally, the televised national final was pencilled in for 25th January. Upon moving to an online format, the calendar was as follows:
- January 6th: Press conference to reveal artists
- January 13th: Entries published, voting begins
- Jan 26th: Voting closes
- Results announced a week after the close of voting
Czech Republic in Eurovision 2019
In Tel Aviv, Lake Malawi represented the Czech Republic with the bright and modern ‘Friend of a Friend’. The group qualified from the first semi-final: the third time Czech Republic made it to Saturday’s final. Notably, the group came second in the semi – making it the best ever semi-final result for the Czech Republic!
In the final, the group came 8th with the jury but finished 11th overall with 157 points – the second best result for the country!
What type of sounds are you looking forward to hearing from Eurovision Song CZ 2020? Let us know in the comments section below or at social media. Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!
