In September Ukraine confirmed that they would be returning to Eurovision in 2016. Now broadcaster STB has released details of the 2016 national final selection process, which will be a collaboration between national broadcaster UA:Pershiy and commercial channel STB.

An open casting will be held in December, with audition locations in Zaporizhia, Kharkiv, Odessa, Lviv, Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv, but those out of town can upload a video audition. And while Ukraine traditionally sends solo artists (GreenJolly from 2005 has been the only group), the audition is open to groups as well as solo performers.

The organisers are keeping a close eye on the budget. STB will produce the national final and also cover the costs of getting the winner to Stockholm. CEO Vladimir Borodyansky says he would like the televote to be free of charge to ensure voting will be open to as many people as possible, but this will require the cooperation of mobile phone companies. UA:Pershiy will also pick up the tab in Stockholm, ensuring that newcomers won’t be disadvantaged by lack of resources.

The broadcasters know they have a reputation to uphold – Ukraine usually delivers good quality songs and performances that place within the top 10. Zurab Alasania, the director general of NTU, promises that, “The show will be even more spectacular, we will make it interesting for every citizen of Ukraine”.

Ukraine are leaving it a rather late to announce details of their national selection, but they seem to have the process sorted. In 2014, the grand final saw 20 acts battling it out, with Mariya Yaremchuk’s “Tick-Tock” winning the ticket to Copenhagen.

Ukraine Eurovision audition dates and locations

5-6 December:  Zaporozhye and Kharkiv
12-13 December: Odessa and Lviv
19-20 December: Dnepropetrovsk and Kyiv

Check out our Ukraine wishlist. Who would you like to see represent Ukraine in their 2016 comeback? Share your thoughts below!

Follow all of our Ukraine Eurovision news here

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drone
8 years ago

Your story-telling style is darn out cool, keep doing what you’re doing!WWW.DRONEULTRA.com

parrot drones
8 years ago

Your writing style is darn out cool, keep doing what you’re doing!WWW.DRONEULTRA.com

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
8 years ago

So good to have Ukraine back in the competition. Their recent songs have been awesome. Think “Gravity”. Think “Be My Guest”.

Yuri Kus
Yuri Kus
8 years ago

At last they gave selection of participants into the hands of the best showmaking channel of Ukraine! I hope to see not only the graduates of the x-factor (STB is the producer of UA version), but also well-known participants such as The Hardkiss, ONUKA, Kazaky.

Thiefo
8 years ago

Bring it on Ukraine! I’ve loved every ukrainian entry to date, so I’m expecting 2016 to be no exception 😉

EF0912
EF0912
8 years ago

Why do I have a feeling that The Hardkiss will apply? Anna Trincher suggested them in her interview

Sparrow
Sparrow
8 years ago

The competition JUST GOT REAL! I adore Ukraine at Eurovision. Cannot wait to see how this plays out.