After qualifying twice in a row, the Czech Republic is looking forward to extending their streak of appearance in the Eurovision grand final. For months they’d been hyping a televised national final. But, following the departure of their Eurovision head of delegation, the central European nation has now pulled the plug on that TV programme. They announced the news in a Facebook post and a lot of fans aren’t happy.

“The national selection won’t be on tv in the end,” it says. “Yes… after a few weeks of long and very heavy decision-making, we have decided, due to many, many circumstances, to move the TV format for a year (next, the next one?)”

“We want to do something really different and this year we felt it would just not work. We will return to online form from the previous two years. But don’t worry, we’re doing our most to take the upcoming “digital” national selection again a little further.”

The selection starts with an artist reveal in early January and we’ll have a result by the end of the month.

NÁRODNÍ KOLO NAKONEC NEBUDE V TV ??Ano, je to tak … Po n?kolik týdn? dlouhém a VELICE T?ŽKÉM rozhodování jsme se…

Posted by Eurovision Song Contest Czech Republic on Wednesday, November 6, 2019

 

The post included a poll, asking if the fans are happy with the new format. The idea seems to have backfired. At the time of writing this post, 82% of the votes were against it.

The post also mentioned that all songs will come with an original music video, so there’s a lot to look forward to.

What to expect

The country, which finished in the top half of the final for the last two years, is getting a better grasp of ESC. For these two years, the Czech entry was announced in January, but this year it could take just a bit longer. The schedule will be as follows:

  • January 6, 2020 – Press conference and finalists announcement
  • January 13, 2020 – Songs + music video reveals and the start of voting
  • January 26, 2020 – End of voting
  • January/February 2020 – Results reveal

Is this selection method the right choice? Who do you want to see representing Czechia? Sound off in the comments below!

13 Comments
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Alex
Alex
4 years ago

I feel dead on the inside

I am not from Kazakhstan
I am not from Kazakhstan
4 years ago

It have worked for them for 2 years, so, as long as there are good songs submitted, the online selection will be good for 2020 as well

Thunder and lightning it's getting exciting
Thunder and lightning it's getting exciting
4 years ago

For whom if I can ask you??

filipko54
filipko54
4 years ago

They said that the decision was made before Jan Bors left, maybe it was because of it who knows, but as a Czech fan I’m really angry and sad to be honest..

ESC Fan
ESC Fan
4 years ago
Reply to  filipko54

The same…I was looking forward to be at the forum karlin…now I’m very disappointed…

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

mess… bors jumped ship n they’re already ruining everything

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago

Probably Bors had planned and dreamed for the televised NF, but in the end higher people in CT just f-s it up, and that’s probably why he left.

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

Seeing that my theory has been proven, now it is time to see whether CT would regret him leaving.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

Now we don’t know if the HoD left because the plans were changed or if the plans were changed because he’s not there anymore… As long the problem isn’t the budget, I would suggest that they tape live performances, it would make the voting process more accurate.

Åri Agam
4 years ago

We needn’t forget that they ended up surprising us all last year. Also, this year the delegation seems very pleased with the songs’ quality.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

Sad on the one hand, but also neat in a weird way because an online competition makes it more of everyone’s business. Everyone who is interested, that is. But ultimately, I want the local people to decide on their own, if there’s enough interest in the country. Furthermore, I have yet to encounter an online voting that isn’t questionable in one way or another. So overall, this is a step backwards but if the songs are good, still salvageable.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago

Weird, they seemed so serious about these plans back in june.

Åri Agam
4 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Well… new HoD, new plans.