Since 1in360 debuted as San Marino’s national final for Eurovision 2018, fans have been wondering if and when the format will return. Now organisers have given an update which hints at a possible future for the song contest.

On the 1in360 Facebook page, show producers told fans that “things have been non-stop over here.” They went on to explain that “Our original plan for a repeat of last year hit a snag about a month ago. So we decided to instead focus on finding a media partner to set up a much bigger show for 2020 (bigger always takes longer to plan).”

But now something has happened that means 1in360 might not be taking a year off. The post continued, “there’s now a chance that a bigger version might already happen for 2019. Talks are ongoing, and we may or may not have something to announce in the next couple of weeks.”

Sorry for the radio silence. We know we owe you guys an update on 1in360. It's not that we've been lazy or lost…

Posted by 1in360 on Thursday, October 25, 2018

While San Marino’s broadcaster SMRTV has not yet publicly confirmed for Eurovision 2019, it seems that they are not interested in renewing their partnership with 1in360.

So the question is, if 1in360 is not going to be used as San Marino’s selection this season, who might they partner with instead?

Some countries have confirmed for Eurovision 2019 but have haven’t said how they plan to select their act for Tel Aviv. If we rule out countries that are strongly rumoured to be using internal selection or their own national final format, this leaves countries such as FYR Macedonia and Montenegro. Earlier this year, Montenegro was rumoured to have been in talks with 1in360, but it is understood that no agreement was reached.

The other possibility is that the next edition of 1in360 will not be a national final for Eurovision. The show’s format is not dependent on it being a Eurovision national final and it could just as easily function as a national — or international — talent show. Instead of the winner going to Eurovision, they could win a prize package similar to those on the X Factor or The Voice shows.

San Marino and 1in360

1in360 was introduced as San Marino’s national final format for Eurovision 2018, after the microstate had previously used internal selection.

The open policy of 1in360 made it a very popular contest. Well over 500 entries were received from singers around the world, including some who had struggled for years with their own country’s national final.

However, the show’s format was criticised for attracting fake entries and for the wildcard competition being manipulated through false YouTube views.

In the end, 11 singers were selected for the competition. They performed versions of 15 songs written especially for the show. At the grand final, Maltese singer Jessika and German rapper Jenifer Brening won with “Who We Are”. The song went on to place second to last in its semi-final, an improvement on San Marino’s 2017 semi-final result.

What do you think? Which country would you like to see use 1in360 as its national final? Or should the format be used as a non-Eurovision talent show? Share your thoughts below!

 

 

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Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

It could have been a good idea but, wow, last year went badly really quickly. A lot of changes would need to be made.

Don't be gullible
Don't be gullible
5 years ago

Do not trust anything not coming out of SMRTV directly. The word in the street is that SMRTV is pissed af about the disaster and the corruption surrounding 1in360 that they have no plans on hiring them again.

This is just petty stuff by 1in360 trying to save face.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago

Try for an all-comers’ competition without 1in360 involvement. Die Entscheidungsshow (SUI) used to be an all-comers’ contest. Use their procedure, but with a better selection committee and a better elimination process.

Joshua
Joshua
5 years ago

What were they expecting? It was a plan that sounded great when written down, but putting that into practice was just a total mess. Really sorry for San Marino, they really showed they care about bringing quality music to Eurovision and I’m always cheering for them, but you can’t really expect that everything goes smoothly at the first try. I just hope I can see them again next year, because after the (in my opinion, unfair) non-qualification, I really fear they might withdraw for good.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

What about for the UK?
Just a suggestion.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

With a little bit of effort, I can see this superb format producing an act that finishes third to last.

Brooklyn
Brooklyn
5 years ago

“An improvement from last year” I can’t breath!

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago
Reply to  Brooklyn

That’s 2 of us that can’t breathe!

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

Is there somewhere some kind of manual to explain how the 2018 format worked? It was so complicated, i stopped following after a while.

Onetimeuser
Onetimeuser
5 years ago
Reply to  Brooklyn

I can’t breathe either, probably due to the smog in my city

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago

That will depend on who wins, where they come from and what the song is. If the winner comes from a country that routinely places high at ESC, San Marino might make the final and finish in the top 20.

Dame Tu Conchita
Dame Tu Conchita
5 years ago

They need to fix the juries first.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Just keep going San Marino, you’re doing amazing! ^^

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
5 years ago

I just had an idea. Since Bulgaria withdrew, maybe the Bulgarian team could help San Marino select their entry for 2019, supposing they don’t withdraw too.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  Ariso Light

If Bulgaria sends one or more entries to 1-in-360, who do you think should go?

Pavel
Pavel
5 years ago

San Marino should just ask a Melodifestivalen runner-up (or any other act) that has enough label support to perform for them. It might be a win-win, cause once San Marino is in the final, it’s a promo worthy of all the money spent.

ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
5 years ago

Haha, the last sentence is pure sarcasm, Robyn: “second-last in 2018 as an improvement to 2017” 😀
Well, I loved 1in360 because it gave me “Diamonds” by Emma Sandstrom <3 Let's see what will happen…

Emma
5 years ago

Love you sweetie! (Just by accident I stumbled upon this post and saw your comment! <3 It made my day! <3)

ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
5 years ago
Reply to  Emma

Thank you Emma <3 And to inform the readers: It is the real Emma Sandström here, I wrote her on YouTube cause I couldn't believe it, and it really is Emma Sandström 😀 <3

Eastman
Eastman
5 years ago

No matter what country picks 1 IN 360, it is guaranteed to be a hot mess. I can’t wait.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  Eastman

Fix the selection process by the jury, and don’t break up any entries. And keep Ralph Siegel as far away from this contest as possible. :-X

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

I maintain that San Marino’s probably going to stay in Eurovision as long as Italy does. I feel like they’re connected somehow. I think 1in360 could be best used, if not for San Marino, for a country like Liechtenstein (if they debuted) or Luxembourg (if they returned) without a notable local sound or a huge population. Hell, picking random singers from around the world was basically what Luxembourg did, provided they knew French. It’d be odder for Macedonia or Montenegro because there are well-defined sounds from those countries. If they were represented by someone from a neighboring country, that might… Read more »