Russian news outlet TASS has revealed that the Russian act for Eurovision 2020 will be decided by the end of February. This announcement comes after the news outlet talked with Channel One’s Director General, Konstantin Ernst.
Last year, Russia-1 announced Sergey Lazarev as the Russian act for Tel Aviv on 7th February. His song, “Scream”, was released on 9th March. Russia’s 2020 entry will be the seventh entry in a row to be decided by internal selection.
“Not decided yet”
In an interview with TASS, Konstantin Ernst revealed that the Russian act has not yet been decided.
It’s not decided yet, we usually decide before the end of February.
– Konstantin Ernst, Channel One Director General (translated from Russian)
Russia’s Head of Delegation, Yuki Akyuta, revealed that Russia would be selecting their entry internally at the end of last year. The last Russian act to be selected via a national final was Buranovskiye Babushki in 2012.
Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Russia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. They have finished inside the top 3 on nine occasions including one win in 2008. Since debuting in the contest, Russia have missed four contests (including the 1996 contest where they failed to make it through the audio-only pre-selection). They most recently missed the 2017 contest in Kyiv.
Russia have failed to make the final on one occasion, in 2018. Julia Samoylova’s “I Won’t Break” finished 15th in the semi-final.
In Tel Aviv, Sergey Lazarev returned to represent Russia at the contest. He had previously finished in 3rd place at the 2016 contest in Stockholm. With his song “Scream”, Sergey managed to place 3rd place again. This was the first time Russia had made the top 3 since Sergey’s first appearance in the contest.
Are you looking forward to seeing who will represent Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest? Do you have any ideas in mind?
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