He’s the man who’s overseen one of the most spectacular renaissances in Eurovision history. But on Wednesday 30 October Jan Frost Bors revealed via his personal Facebook page that he’s leaving the Czech broadcaster ČT.
However, the post was followed by assurances that the Czechs’ Eurovision trajectory will continue upwards without him.
Czech Republic’s HoD Jans Frost Bors quits ahead of Eurovision 2020
Bors has acted as the Czech Republic’s Head of Delegation since Eurovision 2016. His departure from the network means that he’ll be leaving this role too.
During his time, he’s helmed three Czech qualifications including a top ten finish with Mikolas Josef and “Lie To Me” in 2018. Prior to his arrival, the country had never made it out of the semi-finals.
Czech Republic’s national final for Eurovision 2020
In reply to a comment on his ČT resignation post, Bors reassured concerned fans telling them not to worry. He claims that the team is strong enough and doesn’t need him anymore.
The surprise announcement comes just days after Bors shared an interview he gave with local media, also on Facebook.
At the time, he wrote that the Czech Republic’s upcoming televised national final will have eight incredible quality songs that will be the envy of most countries.
These eight tracks come from a pool of 152 submissions which were received during the summer. Bors says that the delegation received 70 songs from Czech authors, compared to just eight when he first took up the role in late 2015.
It’s not hard to see why there’s been a spike in local interest. 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.
For the first time since 2008, the network is organising 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. Even better, the show will be screened on the broadcaster’s flagship channel CT1.
Read all our Czech Republic Eurovision 2020 news.
Why did he quit ? He was great
Didn’t like his nose ring much
A great HoD and a great potential cast for Czech Hunter
Czech hunter ? Come on …..
He is hot 🙂 too bad he’s leaving though. Da’s all.
He was one of the best HoD in recent years.
Here’s hoping this is actually true and not just hyperbole, as usually. I feel no envy. I’m dying to get to hear ‘incredible quality songs’ at Eurovision. Eight at once? Even better. (Highly unlikely, of course). Regardless of where they come from. Although I will not hide that I would be especially happy if they came from the Czech Republic, since it’s one of those countries that I really like.
This is sad. We thank you for your efforts to provide quality work for Czech Republic in Eurovision.
Nuu 🙁 I love Jan Bors, he had such a modern mentality towards music and he was helping the Czech Republic rise from its dark years. Hopefully, Czech Republic can continue their qualification streak. Jan Bors, you will be missed!!
He’s been one of the real superstar HoD’s, on the same level as an Edoardo Grassi. If he’s confident that they’re still on the right track, I’m confident, but I’m gonna miss him. The Czech Republic owes him a huge debt of gratitude for the comeback he ushered in.
I thought immediately about Grassi when I read the headline. Two heads of delegation that were doing a great job and planted seeds for others to cultivate. Bors’ performance is even more impressive, considering that the Czech Republic has a short story in the contest and has to fight for a spot in the final. I hope both countries deal well with the transition.