They only selected their act for Eurovision 2019 yesterday. But the Czechs are already looking forward to 2020.
During the same press conference which unveiled Lake Malawi as the winners of Eurovision Song CZ 2019, the Czech head of delegation Jan Bors announced that next year’s selection process will be televised. Riding high on the success of a 50% qualification rate since returning in 2015 along with its highest ever result in Lisbon, broadcaster Česká televize intends to take things to the next level.
For the first time since 2008, the network will organise a live multi-act TV extravaganza to select the central European nation’s representative. The wheels are already in motion, and a date has been set — Saturday 25 January 2020. Only 361 days to go! Even better, the show will be screened on the broadcaster’s flagship channel CT1.
As spotted by ESC Czech, the HoD has also revealed via his personal Facebook that the show will take place in Prague’s Forum Karlín — a venue with capacity for up to 3,000 people.
“After many years, the audience will again be able to watch the finalists of the national round in the live broadcast and to make a direct decision by voting on another representative of the Czech Republic,” says creative producer Jan Potměšil.
After receiving more than 300 submissions for this year’s online process, the country’s song contest bosses have high hopes for next year. They are already looking for “performers, composers, bands and other musicians”. Interested parties have until 30 June 2019 to enter.
Songs can be sent to [email protected].
Czech Republic at Eurovision 2019
But first, 2019. The indie-pop trio Lake Malawi will succeed Mikolas Josef and perform “Friend of a Friend” in Tel Aviv. Yesterday’s allocation draw saw them placed in the first half of semi-final one.
With a name inspired by a Bon Iver song, the group was founded by lead singer Albert Černý in 2013. As well as vocals, Albert also plays guitar. The remaining three members are Jeroným Šubrt (bass and keys) and Antonín Hrabal (drums). Earlier this month Albert caught up with our William for a more in-depth talk on the band’s origins and plans for Eurovision.
Wow! That means being organized! Even though 2019 season has just started, they already look at 2020!
Have they realised they’re not qualifying this year and so are planning for next year already? Jk, it’s really great to see the Czech Republic become really invested in the contest, especially considering this time five years ago we all thought their chances of returning were almost zero. Hopefully as it gains exposure the quality of songs will go up as their NS this year left a lot to be desired
Whenever the Czech Republic wins Eurovision for the first time, I’ll have to go. Great country.
Guess if they win someday, Slovakia will come back!
Kinda like when Austria returned after Germany won with Lena in 2010.
Yes. The divas running our broadcaster felt forced because it was in Germany. They couldn’t continue ignoring it anymore.
Such good Eurovision news! Czech Republic is surely going to win in the next 3 to 8 years. They’ve sent some really interesting entries and it’s nice to see some positive momentum.
Things looking great for Czech Republic!
Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania have BIG selections but the intrest in the public when we see how many watched the shows is LOW. Why is that? In Scandinavia the intrest is HIGH
Those countries never won, different from the Nordic three who has three (NOR, DAN) or six (SWE) wins up their ally.
Loving how they’re keeping it early while almost everyone else is revealing their participant in those first ten days of March!
Pure self-confidence. 😀
I love how seriously they’re taking Eurovision now. Nowhere to go but up!
Great move Czech Republic! Just please, can we have more Czech-language songs in the future? I adore Czech, it’s so melodic!
Jan is doing a great job!