In December Spain confirmed that Operación Triunfo will serve as their Eurovision 2018 selection…and followed that up with the news that the five competing artists will each sing totally and 100% in Spanish. ¡Bravo!

Now the Spanish broadcaster RTVE has finally confirmed the date of the Eurovision Gala — and it’s coming very soon. Spain’s National Final will be held on Monday 29 January.

In contrast with what happened last year with Objetivo Eurovision, the official date isn’t so busy for Eurofans. The Spanish selection will come one day after the second semi-final of Romania’s Selectia Nationala.

The Eurovision Gala will work as any other Operación Triunfo show…so expect a late one. The final will begin at 22:35 CET.

Eurovision Gala: confirmed details

The five finalists will be selected during the OT Gala on January 22.

The songs — as seen in all previous OT shows — will be assigned the day after the gala. That means we’ll have the songs on January 23. Tinet Rubira —  the music director of Gestmusic — has already revealed the juice that all of the songs are in Spanish and written by a “prestigious” songwriter.

The contestants will have one week to prepare their songs for the final. The Academy teachers will help them during the week, as always, but they’ll also receive assistance from the composers and songwriters. Love unites us all…and hopefully it will give them the confidence to own their songs.

The public will choose the winner on its own (and without a potentially controversial jury).

The academy’s teachers will decide which song each finalist will sing, based on which one best fits with each candidate’s characteristics. Although the Eurovision selection will occur through OT, it is not the grand prize of the show. In fact, the Eurovision gala night will occur before the final of OT. And this final will feature the same five finalists — and is predicted to be held a week later on February 5.

OT 2017 success

Another gala, another hit.

RTVE’s OT 2017 reached an important milestone yesterday by drawing 2.6 million viewers and a 19.5% share of the TV viewing audience. But that’s not all: OT is also the most-talked about show every Monday night on Twitter. It’s clear that the show has established an emotional bond with the audience. But most importantly, it has awakened Spaniards desire for music.

Eurofans are no doubt hoping that Operación Triunfo can take Spain back to the top again.

From 2002 to 2004, OT was the country’s selection method and resulted in three solid years of top-ten finishes for Spain. This included Rosa López’s iconic “Europe’s Living a Celebration”, which placed 7th in 2002.

“[It is a] successful format that recalls and recovers the spirit of the first edition of the talent show with which Rosa López obtained 7th place in [Eurovision 2002],” RTVE has said.

OT 2017 Gala 10

From eight to seven contestants, Nerea said goodbye to the Academy after losing against Agoney, who claimed 53% of votes. Performing legendary songs from Queen and Beyonce, they served pure drop-mic and walk off the stage realness. YAS!

While Amaia keeps surprising everyone with her natural talent, Aitana and Agoney are also building support for Eurovision. We still don’t know the songs, but if you already have a favourite, don’t forget to vote in our poll.

Sassy Spanish sensation Ana War faces off against Roi in this week’s elimination. May the best act win!

What do you think of Spain’s national final? Are you happy that OT 2017 is serving as their Eurovision 2018 selection? And do you have any favourites yet? Tell us in the comment section below.

READ MORE SPAIN NEWS HERE

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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

With the grand final of Destination Eurovision in France probably on January 27th, we’ll have 2 of the big 5 acts before February! So excited!

DarkpassionPlay
DarkpassionPlay
6 years ago

Spain singing in spanish ….. do it fo yo lovaaaa lalala lala 😀 Finnely all the mexican fans can cheer for someone 😀

escfan
escfan
6 years ago

firstly 2,5 millions of viewers is very weak for a show like this, secondly the fact that the singers don’t choose their songs it’s a very weird system, it will make an artificial entry……. something no natural….. we will see…… but spain let the singers choose!!!!

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  escfan

How much viewers a show get is considered “strong” or “weak” is relative. You have to consider how many people tune in to their TV’s live on average and the number of shows that OT is competing against in its timeslot. 20% share in the ratings is still something to be happy about at a time when more and more people are no longer watching television as much as they used to be 10 years ago.

Goodnightmoon
Goodnightmoon
6 years ago
Reply to  James

The show is audience leader on prime time, what you say makes no sense at all, 2.5m is huge for a show in Spain.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I have my doubts on how the songs are going to be presented on 23rd because contestants will get to now the song that same day, so we aren’t going to have the studio version. We probably won’t have the studio version until the day before or during the Gala (as always).

Jesús
Jesús
6 years ago

I think Nerea had one of the most powerful voices of all OT contestants. Now that she is gone, either Aitana and Amaia should represent Spain in Eurovision. I think that a duet between them could be a killer act in this year’s ESC.

Marcus (Day One)
Marcus (Day One)
6 years ago

Is there any point to winning OT? Jk

But seriously I’m happy Spain is trying hard this year and it’s likely because Portugal is hosting and they’ll only want to sing in Spanish in their neighbours country.

As for having inexperienced artist representing a country at eurovision I’m not so sure but I’ll reserve judgment until we hear the songs.

Efraim
Efraim
6 years ago

In previous seasons the winner got a record contract. Can’t assure that’s still a thing, though.

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
6 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

the winner of OT 2017 gets €100k. Thats the prize. But due the social success of the show i bet Universal Music (the official music lavel behind OT) will make record contract for a bunch of them, in order to squeez and capitalize their products* a bit farther in time. *the singers are the products 😛

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

I’d agree with the principal, except that Edurne’s “Amanecer” is probably my favourite Thomas G:son penned song. Not sure what went wrong with it.

Probably Spain’s biggest disaster overall was “Baila Chiki Chiki”. Or possibly last year’s song?

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

The problem with Amanecer was that it was finishing 11th-15th in many countries – if an average placing was taken (like with the 2013 results), Spain would have finished 11th rather than 21st. Similarly, Barei would have finished 15th.

irish esc
irish esc
6 years ago

first we get france and 2 days later spain i am so excited also we will find out the czech republics finalist as well going to be amazing
#hypetrainherewecome : )