It’s given us memorable moments and plenty of adverts in the past. But Malta Eurovision Song Contest is no more — as TVM move on to a new selection process for Eurovision 2019. Instead, the winner of the first season of X Factor Malta will be the country’s representative in Israel.
TVM announced the news in a brief statement today, simply promoting the fact that the popular global show will finally debut in Malta. Whether it’s a solo act or group that triumphs, that act will represent Malta at the next Eurovision.
Malta Eurovision Song Contest
Unfortunately, MESC hasn’t exactly delivered the goods for Malta over the last few years. Since 2015, the country has only made the final once, with Ira Losco’s “Walk on Water”.
Notably, though, Ira actually won MESC with “Chameleon“. TVM and Ira ultimately opted to hold a second internal process which led to the selection of “Walk on Water”.
Otherwise, it’s been bad news for Amber, Claudia Faniello and most recently Christabelle. Whilst they’ve all been fan favourite acts, they’ve just not been able to connect with the rest of Europe.
This might be due to the fact that so many acts often returned to MESC — creating a familiarity with die-hard Eurovision fans, but not with the overall viewing public. By changing things up with X Factor Malta, TVM might be looking for a more rounded approach to their selection.
And using a reality show to find an act certainly worked for Israel and Netta in 2018. Could this be a wise move by TVM?
There’s no details as to when X Factor Malta will air, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated when more information is available.
What do you think of TVM’s decision? Are you sad to see the end of Malta Eurovision Song Contest? What’s your favourite MESC entry that didn’t make it? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below.
https://youtu.be/jJBtT2Hz4Ag
Incredible.
Let’s see what happens! Maybe this will work for Malta. Also: where are those kds-teenagers who participate in Eurovision junior and they do so well? Why don’t you send them to Eurovision? Som much talent down there!
All of the X Factor participants will be MESC rejects, bookmark me. So we’ll see the same people all over, only the Maltese broadcaster will internally select the song and focus on the best thing they can come up with.
And what if they are? I think the problem does not lie on the artist but the song, as long as the artist is paired with a good entry I don’t really care if they send a MESC reject. Hopefully the song would match the artist whoever that is, like they did on 2016 with (what I believe) was a top pick.
I didn’t say it was a bad thing.
You kind of sound like it upsets you by calling them “rejects”.
And Janice Mangion !
I don’t support this decision.
The X Factor is a contest for amateurs, not experienced stars…is that really who they want? As with all reality shows, the winner will not necessarily be the one who deserves it, but the one with the best backstory/personality. The Maltese viewers will fall in love with them, but then the European audience won’t know them at all and they will flop.
The ongoing perception of the Eurovision Song Contest as just another reality talent contest is regrettable.
I will miss MESC a lot. But the Maltese were only on a few occasions capable of choosing the right act.
Song for Dad, Kewkba, Golden, Rush, Hypnotica, Pure, The Song in Your Heart, Crossroads, Caravaggio, Whispers – so many wasted opportunities…
Only Tomorrow (and to some extent Coming Home) were right choices…
Definitely a step in the right direction for Malta. Let’s be honest, MESC has only produced one good winning song during the last 10 years and that was Tomorrow in 2013.
It was the best one but still, Firelight, Amber and Kurt Calleja were decent.
Don’t think this change is going to be good for Malta from a Eurovision perspective. The public vote is still the problem.
I seriously cannot remember a single Maltese entry since Chiara in 2005 .Can somebody help me??!!
I liked Morena – Vodka in 2008. But Malta are one of the worst Eurovision countries imo and I’m having a hard time remembering most of their songs.
Walk on water – Ira losco 2016
You are welcomed
It’s a good decision. It may keep away those dated trash pop songs that make up the MESC line up!
Having a Maltese X Factor sounds insane, it’s really big news rn. I’m gonna miss watching MESC because it’s something I’ve been watching since I was a little child but I’m really excited for this!
Its good that they’re changing the formula a bit. They did spent a lot of money on Christabelle’s staging this year and it didn’t go anywhere.
After Salvador win, many countries returned to NF like FdC. Now after Netta win countries will focus on their talent shows maybe, because this is how Netta was selected.
And every season, the same set of faces will return for another shot. The mentors will be like, “You again?!”.
Ahehehe
A thing I was saying for Malta is to do the same for ESC as they do for JESC. They do a final with the kids doing covers and they do an internal song. It brings them brillant success! I think that Malta will do well with this idea.
Most importantly, participants will need to be 16 or older. 🙂
I may be upset that MESC is cancelled, but I have to congratulate Malta for preparing to launch their own version of the X-Factor. By the way, Malta’s national broadcaster will have to make sure that the X-Factor’s participants are 16 or older. 🙂
That Means we Will see Brooke next year trying in San Marino 360 in 1 national selection …
She can participate in this. Malta is a small country so its likely we will be seeing quite a few mesc acts in this.
I really love how Malta is really trying to do well, even if it’s not a successful try!
I can only wish them good luck 🙂 I actually watched MESC 2018 live :3 First and last, I guess.
elated!! Thank you Malta. Bold but much needed decision.
”Kewkba” sung by Janice Mangion and ”Pure” by Claudia Faniello will remain the MESC gems that had to win but didn’t. Gone but never forgotten <3
I actually really liked this national final. I am HEARTBROKEN.
The question is – does the tiny Malta have enough talented singers to cover X-Factor line-up every year?
They probably don’t intend to drag the show on for years, lots of international version only have a few series
Well, Malta’a problem are usually the songs and not the singers. So no matter the artist (and I do think that some former MESC contestants will appear in X Factor), they will still struggle if they don’t put more effort into the songwriting.
But the song can be internally selected, and in this way they won’t chose the artist who is well known.
I think another country that should follow suit is Azerbaijan. They last held a national final in 2014 (when Dilara was selected and secured the country’s worst result at the time). But, from 2008-2013 the country courted top-quality performances and yielded great results.
I think Malta may be on to something. It would be great to see how Malta uses this to their advantage…who knows, maybe Valletta 2020?
Phew Mihai is not representing Malta
I do not think that Malta would actually go for MIHAI. They are proud of their talent 🙂
Although I will miss these entries, it was the best thing to do. It wasn’t delivering. Last good result Malta good was from a song that was chosen instead of the initial mesc song. Malta is a small country so its only natural we will see singers from mesc in this contest too. We will probably see acts like franklin ..I hope brooke borg enters as its always been her voice that was the main attraction of her in mesc so i think this format will help her. I also hope for emma muscat<3 Best of luck malta.
MESC clearly wasn’t working so a change was needed. Good luck Malta.