It’s the Mediterranean island that loves Eurovision but so far has never won. Now Malta‘s national broadcaster PBS has confirmed it will participate in Eurovision 2018. But broadcaster CEO John Bundy has also confirmed that the Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) national final will again use 100% televote to select its winner.
The news comes in the wake of Malta’s poor result in Kyiv. Claudia Faniello’s “Breathlessly” — which was selected at the national final by 100% televote — placed 16th in its semi-final, with only 55 points. The placing is Malta’s worst result since the two semi-final system was introduced in 2008.
Despite picking up at least some points from juries, the song was not a hit with the general public. Malta scored nil points with the televote, a disappointing result for the country that loves Eurovision so much.
Speaking to the Times of Malta, PBS CEO John Bundy shared the feeling. “We are very disappointed with the result because compared to some of the countries that made it through, we had a song that was just as good. But we’ve been going through this for the past 45 years.”
Bundy added, “Last year expectations were high, we spent a lot of money, and we still didn’t win. Ultimately, it’s a competition. If you look at the comments from journalists and even the festival directors, many thought it was a pity we didn’t go through.”
Claudia Faniello won the Malta Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year, beating out favourites Janice Mangion, Kevin Bord and Brooke Borg with her sentimental ballad “Breathlessly”. Going into the contest, fans had tipped Janice Mangion’s Maltese ballad “Kewkba” as the likely winner, but it lost out to “Breathlessly” by only 452 votes.
No changes planned
There’s also no question of the MESC-winning song being swapped for another one, as happened in 2016 when Ira Losco’s “Chameleon” was changed to “Walk on Water”.
Bundy remains adamant that the 100% televote will remain and is confident that the Maltese people can pick the right act. “The people pick a government every five years; I think they can be trusted to pick a song,” he said. “Why should we let the public pick a song and then ditch it because we think it’s not going well?”
But as fans have pointed out, Malta is a small country and many felt that Claudia Faniello — who had competed in Malta’s national selection nine times prior — had earned the right to go to Eurovision, regardless of the quality of her song. An international jury could help balance this.
What do you think? Should Malta decided its national final winner by 100% televote? Or should they reinstate the jury? Share your thoughts below!
Anybody know how to differentiate a Maltese pup from a Bichon frise pup?
Yes……cut down on returning artists with generic songs. In a NF where a mere 2000 votes can decide the winner its easy for an artist with a fanbase despite a bad song to win it all. Kevin finished third with a song I don’t even remember a single word from.
“Bread Leslie, I’ll be holding you and Leslie” 😀
The jury system that they had failed a lot of contenders, because the way they structured their point totals gave the jury scores an immensely lopsided advantage over the televoters; 83.33% or 85.71%, depending on how many members they had. Jessika won the televote in 2014 with “Hypnotica”, but was bludgeoned by the jury.
It looks like Malta didn’t learn from their mistakes…
They should not allow returning artists with poor songs in the final. That’s the mistake they need to avoid.
Yeah, Kevin Borg, Brooke or Jessika, probably. I just wish they have a killer song. There were some songs in MESC in the last years that were really good.
It is not that difficult. Malta usually send a good song, this year they didn’t. They got a poor result because of this.
Obviously she was chosen for who she was rather than the song itself and a 100% televote always allows for that sort of possibility. Now that Claudia has finally had “her chance” at Eurovision, they can pick a more appropriate song next year.
Considering the number of songs in their national selection, you would think Malta would do better. I feel like they need to cut down the number of songs in the final so that it’s easier to consolidate the vote on a good candidate. They might as well do two semifinals and a final if they’re still going to accept so many songs. They could get in more commercials that way, and we all know that the Maltese TV station loves commercials… 😛 I’m not sure why Malta insists on having a selection that is either nearly 100% jury vote or… Read more »
I’m not surprised Malta ended so low…the song was boring, generic, dated and underwhelming in presentation despite her vocals. As Etoile above, I really hope Janice makes a comeback with another fabulous Maltese language song! (And, yes, I believe if the song is great, it will win the MESC). However, I wonder if simply using televote alone is enough?? Time will tell. Good luck, Malta! 🙂
Yes, cause 100% televote is always a right choice. Of course the audience can never be wrong..
Which is why it got 0 points from televoters!
problem with Malta is lack of creativity. They always send women singing big ballads, year after year. And the staging isn’t great either.
Malta should be proud, she was great.
I thought Malta were great and I loved the song . Alas the Eurovision Song Contest has turned into a circus and it seems the crazier the act is the better the chance it’s got. It’s not so much about a good song anymore. Portugal were very good with no gimmicks but that’s the exception . I couldn’t believe he won because it was all about the song. The last few years have been a joke
Portugal had a huge gimmick…..did you look at their singer?
Wrong step! I am all for 50 50 as for juries and televote, because it is the same like in eurovision, and also maltese people tend to vote pretty randomly or according to acts as opposed to the songs, so I think that bringing back the juries would be the right choice ( as long as it’s 50 50 and not like until 2016).
The problem is lack of creativity aggravated by a severe lack of competence of pbs. From the moment it won the Maltese contest all of us knew that if the song wasn’t fine-tuned it didn’t stand a chance. So what did the pbs professionals do? They worsened the act by poor backing vocals abysmal staging and camera work and lighting. Unfortunately certain people never accept their severe limitations and recruit professionals in time of need.
The problem in Malta is that the people vote for the act rather than for the song. There’s no way someone else would’ve ended 3rd singing Kevin Borg’s “Follow”, but he won Swedish Idol, so of course he’s famous. I hope they choose well next year. I need more songs in Maltese, as well as the yearly Brooke Borg empowerment anthem.
Agreed! (Except for the Brooke Borg comment) 🙂
@Jay – Maltese people might tend to like ballads more because the average age of voters is 40+. Most young people view the Eurovision as a joke or a fun night activity with friends to watch but not participate in by voting. Besides, 99% of voters don’t vote for the song anyway but for the singer, like what happened this year. All you need is a weekly appearance in a television programme lip-syncing a cover version and you’ll basically be a star for us maltese 😉
How to differentiate a Maltese from a bichon frise??,Would you know?
Maltese people are that melancholic? They tend to pick ballads. If I would be them I’d pick the best up-tempo dance number I’ve got, these never fail! Every year dance numbers stand out between so many ballads and mid tempo songs, always qualify and rank well in the grand final…
“They tend to pick ballads” 2011 – upbeat 2012 – upbeat 2013 – upbeat 2014 – mid tempo 2015 – mid tempo 2016 – upbeat 2017 – ballad Actually, I believe “Breathlessly” is the first ballad they’ve sent since “My Dream” in 2010. “Every year dance numbers stand out between so many ballads and mid tempo songs, always qualify and rank well in the grand final” You mean like Ireland and Finland did last year, or like Montenegro and San Marino did this year. Or like Spain placed fabulously with their dance entry. On the other hand, Bulgaria placed just… Read more »
I didn’t expect such great condescension from you. Wow
Wasn’t a fan of the song but good on Malta for keeping 100% televote.
It’s outrageous that In 2015 and 2016 esc millions of fee paying Europeans were overturned by 200 so called professionals
Now It’s malta turn to win at the eurovision.
They the oldest participait country that didn’t win since 1971 .
Unless you count Cyprus in terms of the number of years they have taken part in the contest since 1981. Malta underwent a lengthy hiatus between the 1970’s until sometime in the 1990’s,
Spain hasn’t had a victory since 1969. 😛
I think the main problem with Malta in recent years is a lack of creativity. Half of the performers are presenting textbook Eurovision ballads, the other half are mimicking currently popular international stars.
There were times when MESC (or MSFE) was considered a highlight of the national final season, but nowadays it feels more like a four hour long guilty pleasure. The contest has changed in last ten years and it seems like PBS have trouble keeping up the pace.
Claudia was SEVERELY underrated. Her performance was was stunning.
Janice Mangion please return next year with a beautiful maltese song.
Malta won’t pick her. Janice isn’t singing in English.
Malta usually sends entries that are supposed to be “understandable” for around in other countries.
But neither did Salvador, and he won BIG!
So you mean to say all Malta needs to do is send a semi-convulsing singer with a possible lethal medical condition singing a ballad in a language most people won’t understand to win?? Seems pretty easy