Back in January, Czech broadcaster Česká Televize revealed that their national selection would be moving to a bigger platform — so from a small, internet-based contest to a huge televised event. The deadline — which struck at the end of July — was tighter than Måns Zelmerlöw’s 2015 trousers. And now that that’s passed producers have revealed that they received 152 songs submissions — 72 of them from local artists.
It may not seem like a lot and indeed it’s not. The total is less than half of last year’s, which is not that surprising given the early deadline. But local composers are much more active this time around, suggesting that Czech interest in Eurovision, which has been quite low, is finally growing. It’s easy to see why. Over the past two years the broadcaster has secured a spot on the left-hand side of the scoreboard in the Grand Final. And both Mikolas Josef and Lake Malawi have enjoyed a major career boost.
But why was the deadline so early? The Czech Eurovision team is clearly taking their national selection very seriously. They want the competing artists and composers to have enough time to perfect their stage presentation to create an eye-popping TV spectacle. Apparently the stage designer has already been chosen and will be working closely with the team to create something stylish, inventive and brave.
The participants will be selected in the coming days and in the second half of August negotiations will start. However, we do not know when the final list of acts will be revealed publicly. More information about the whole process is expected in the autumn.
Czech Republic at Eurovision 2019
The indie-pop trio Lake Malawi succeeded Mikolas Josef and performed “Friend of a Friend” in Tel Aviv. They placed 11th in the Grand Final with 157 points, finishing 8th with the juries and 24th with the televoters.
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).
Are you excited about the Czech national final? Who would you like to see perform? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!
Prague is a gorgeous city and the Czech team totally is enthusiastic enough to go for the win. Heck, they managed to get an 11th place result that was everything but a fan favourite when it won the selection!
It’s nice to see that interest is growing and that they want to do well. I can see them winning in the near future.
If only neighbour Slovakia was this interested in the contest…
The Czech Republic is one of those countries with most promising futures in Eurovision. A lot of untapped potential and the will to do well. Just keep fishing in your own market, it pays off. The last two entries were Czech and so much better than that awful and bought song they gave that lovely lady from 2016.
I have said the same thing before, but let me restate that unless Czech Republic sends something like their song in 2009, I will always support them in future contests, because what is more encouraging than a previous underdog finally getting recognized by the whole Europe?
Great that interest is growing and that they want to do well. I can see them winning in the near future.
If only neighbour Slovakia was this interested in the contest …
I would like to say thank you to the author of this amazing article https://wiwibloggs.com/author/mikhailvasilyev/…thank you for this article…it’s nice to see how Eurovision is becoming more popular here and of course I want to see Eurovision in Prague one day…díky za krásná slova 😉 …btw is someone here from the Czech Republic??
Some countries, you get this good feeling in your guts that a victory is on its way. Eurovision is an unpredictable beast, but if all goes well, I think the Czech Republic could be topping the scoreboard within the next few years.
Some early-confirming countries have stated ‘quality than quantity’, and personally speaking, I’m eager to see what Czech Republic have in their hands. They seem to search for a televote-jury balance and a televised national final also seems to be a solid move after their online selections gave good results and reputation, both in the country and in the fan circle. Good luck for the team, we hope you can fulfill the hopes you’ve been dreaming of!
That really is the double-edged sword for them – 2018 had them killing it with the televote but not the juries, and this year it was the other way around.
I’m feeling very positively about Czech Republic’s chances next year and I hope they’re able to bring something funky, fresh and up-tempo in the Netherlands although personally not a big fan of Lake Malawi, but “Lie To Me” was a bop and I still listen to it. Their stagings were pretty similar though, so I just don’t hope for their sake that they try to replicate their success “too” hard like we’ve seen with for example Bulgaria 18 and Cyprus 19, both entries which are living proof that hiring Sacha Jean-Baptiste doesn’t necessarily translate into success as she’s not consistent… Read more »
Thank you for your nice words about Czech participation…it would be amazing to see Eurovision in our beautiful Prague 🙂
And have it hosted by the same presenter who hosted Young Dancers when it was in Prague. 🙂
It was hosted by Libor Boucek…he is one of the best hosts in Czech Republic 🙂
I’m really looking forward to this! Especially the fact that more and more people in Czechia (my acquaintances including) are being interested in Eurovision is making me glad. It probably won’t happen in next year or two, but I hope that we will see ESC being held in Prague soon.
I wish only if also in Slovakia there was such interest as in Czechia – currently, nobody gives a single f.ck about the contest there and it’s really a shame.
I hope Czech Republic continues its good luck streak into next year too. Wouldn’t it be funny if Czech Republic actually won next year. I hope Prague or other Czech has the facilities to host.
The Prague O2 Arena has a capacity of 18,000 people. Ostrava Ostravar arena has a capacity of 13,000 people.
Prague Arena –
Ostrava Arena –
So nice words…I’m from the Czech Republic and I’m really happy to see how the popularity of Eurovision is growing here…I also hope that one day Prague will host Eurovision 🙂
So nice words…thank you for them…it’s amazing how the popularity of Eurovision is growing here…greetings from the Czech Republic 🙂