Ukraine’s state broadcaster NTU will join forces with private network STB to stage the country’s national selection for Eurovision 2017.
STB made the announcement this morning, noting that the application process will launch on September 1.
“We were fully satisfied with our cooperation with TV channel STB and strive to continue it,” Zurab Alasania, the CEO of the National Television Company of Ukraine, said of their cooperation in 2016. “Highly professional colleagues, their vast experience in entertainment formats brought the national selection to a new level.”
It’s not just hot air. The February 21 final saw a record number of unique votes in entertainment programming for both networks, clocking 344,268 unique votes within the first hour of voting. The battle between The Hardkiss and Jamala had Eurovision fans glued to their YouTube feeds over the course of three weeks. Jamala dominated international headlines before the national selection had even finished and went on to win it all in Stockholm.
Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision 2017
Once again music producer Konstantin Meladze will oversee the selection process.
“Last year we reviewed about 1,500 audio and video applications, and selected 18 artists for the live broadcast,” he said in a statement. “This year we expect even more artists – both beginners and experienced.”
“I am fully convinced that in our country many young, talented, modern, thinking musicians want to represent Ukraine at Eurovision…They will compete with well-known artists — it is right, it refreshes the palette, adds an element of surprise. For their part, we will strongly help participants to prepare.”
On September 1 bands and solo artists aged 16 and over will be able to download the application from STB’s Eurovision 2017 web site.
During October and November, its selection committee will visit Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Lviv, Dnieper, Odessa and Kyiv, where Konstantin Meladze will personally listen to anyone who submitted an application. This is a truly hands-on selection and, like Prince Charming trying to fit that shoe on Cinderella, he will leave no foot unturned.
Natalia Franchuk, the head of the country’s national selection format, said that this year’s selection will be even more ambitious and that the networks may increase the number of live shows. There were two semi-finals and a final for the 2016 edition.
Ukraine had one of the strongest NFs I’ve ever seen last year. They had so many songs that would’ve been a lock for top 10 in Sweden. They also have an endless supply of talent so I expect they will have another strong one but I definitely have a soft spot for The Hardkiss
1 ALEKSEEV
2 VIA Gra
3 Anna Sedokova
4 Svetlana Loboda
5 Vremya i Steklo
6 Max Barkish
7 SunSay
8 Vera Brezhneva
9 Elka
10 The Hardkiss
I don’t think The Hardkiss could have replicated Jamala’s win this year, but would definitely have given them a great placing anyway. If they come back with an even better song next year they may have a chance at going back to back. Of course I’m looking forward to what else Ukraine can offer.
onuka ;))))
There are so many talented and deserving artists from Ukraine!
I bet there’ll be The Hardkiss. They’ve got best chances at another vivid attempt so far. Afm I’m going to follow forthcoming releases from Onuka or The Erised. Just discovered last band thanks to co-op with Jamala 🙂
@Sabi
I love Vera and Alekseev but Ukraine wouldn`t choose artist who plays concerts in Russia. Vera and Alekseev are very popular in Russia. I often hear them in Ru.TV and Russian Music Box.
my options 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0TEIwEs7OE
My TOP-10 ESC 2017 Ukraine:
1 The Hardkiss
2 The Erised
3 Kristina Soloviy
4 Time&Glass
5 ViaGra
6 ALEKSEEV
7 NIKITA
8 ONUKA
9 Suzanna Abdulla
10 Olya Polyakova
(live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9DidonSRr0)
Two wins in a row its very difficult so I think that Ukraine wont win.Despite being so early I think that next year Sweden, Australia, Belgium , Italy, France or Hungary will win.
Jamala and Hardkiss could’ve both won Eurovision! Hardkiss for Eurovision 2017 or I will sue.
The Hardkiss for Ukraine 2017!!!
I really hope for a Gaitana return 😀
The Hardkiss, NuAngels and Olya Polyakova need to be in next year’s NFs
bloom twins will be perfect
Darren, you forget that Russia also is hunting his second victory wanting. Ukraine have so many good artists in their music industry that they could win double (if they want). I don’t think that Sweden could win the next year because hosting ESC for 3th time in 10 years is too much for STV. With Australia if they keep sending good songs (and with the jury praising for them) could win soon! Italy, Poland, Belgium and Netherlands also are beginning to be constant to fight for victory in Eurovision and France that has wake up this year, they could also… Read more »
The Hardkiss, Max Barskih or Alekseev would be perfect ????????
My favorite The Erised =)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xWxmkgm5RA
I know it early to say, but I don’t think Ukraine will win for a second time in a row. I have a feeling Sweden will get its 7th victory next year 🙂 SVT want that record so badly.
If Sweden doesn’t win, it will probably be Australia (:(). Italy, Poland, Belgium and Netherlands have also been creeping up and down the scoreboard of late, so it could be one of them either.
My wishlist for the Ukrainian NF 2017:
1- Max Barkish
2 – The Hardkiss
3 – Alekseev
4 – Onuka
5- Vremya & Steklo
6 – NikitA
7 – Ne Angely
8 – Vera Brezhneva
9 – Aida Nikolaychuk
10 -Zlata Ognevich
If they could join (or some of them) then we could start to talk about the first new millennium back2back winner in ESC 🙂