In the wake of the devastating news that the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 has been cancelled, many Eurovision fans, including the team here at Wiwibloggs, are wondering what to do next. Well one option is to start getting excited for Eurovision 2021 and to ponder the inevitable questions we all have surrounding the delayed 65th Eurovision Song Contest. While this certainly isn’t the ideal solution, Spanish broadcaster RTVE has managed to soften the blow.
They announced today that Blas Canto, Spain’s would-be Eurovision 2020 representative, has been invited to represent Spain in 2021. That means Spain has essentially confirmed their participation in Eurovision 2021. They said:
La Unión Europea de Radiodifusión cancela #ESC2020 @eurovision_tve
?@rtve invita a @BlasCanto a ser su representante en 2021
?“Es lo correcto, la salud es lo primero. Hacerlo sin público era una locura porque Eurovisión son los fans”, afirma Blas?https://t.co/u6AksyTOzz pic.twitter.com/zIJWWKUZb0
— RTVE Comunicación (@RTVE_Com) March 18, 2020
“RTVE supports and understands the difficult decision made by the European Broadcasting Union to cancel the European event due to the unprecedented situation created worldwide by the coronavirus pandemic.”
“RTVE thanks the commitment of our representative, Blas Cantó, for his dedication and for the work done to represent Spain at Eurovision 2020, and invites him to be the Spanish candidate in 2021.”
“RTVE will return, as always, to participate in the contest, the largest musical show on television that each year brings together 200 million viewers from around the world, when the situation is resolved.”
Blas Canto responds to Eurovision 2020 cancellation
Blas responded to the cancellation by accepting the invitation, digesting the news in the most considered and diplomatic way possible.
“I am very sorry because there is a very large job behind [Eurovision], an incredible human team working for many months, not only in my candidacy, but globally. But I think it is the right thing. There are countries in which the epidemic is starting now, and it is not known when it will stop. And a year of margin is the minimum to hold a Eurovision in conditions that Eurovision deserves.”
“There is a commitment on my part to continue working on our candidacy in 2021 and I am very happy to have the opportunity to do so next year. There are many things to do. We are going to take Eurovision in style, it will be my flag, and we have time to do it and to do a good performance in 2021.”
“All I want is for people to be together and stay at home so that this stops as soon as possible. Health is first. We must prioritise each other. Because without us there is no festival. Doing it without an audience was crazy because Eurovision is the fans. Without them there is nothing. It was important to do it properly, because we have to give Eurovision the importance it deserves.”
I hope everyone gets new songs because by next year all of these songs will be dated and overplayed
Why people keep saying that the same participants will come with another songs? Shouldnt it be right to have same song? Whats the problem with existing songs?
It’s namely due to a Eurovision rule that all songs must not be released or publicly performed before September 1 in order to give all songs a fair chance. All of these 2020 songs would technically be ineligible for 2021 come Sept. 1, 2020. There are some fans that are hoping this rule gets relaxed in light of the extraordinary circumstances, and while there are a few artists who will participate next year, I’m not expecting all 41 2020 entrants to make it again for 2021. There might be new artists selected in some 2021 national finals and it wouldn’t… Read more »
Love to see it happen; but by next year the songs for this year’s contest will have been played and overplayed so thoroughly in the minds of many, that they will become too stale to be useful in ESC 2021…. …Besides, September begins next year’s campaign, and I doubt that they will make such an extraordinary exception to the rule that no song can have a studio recording before Sept. 1. The question for the artists who have been carried over to the 2021 contest (and their songwriters and producers) is this: Can they top what they have brought to… Read more »
I like him, I just don’t like the song, don’t know why…
Please RTVE chose a great song for him!! Something more in touch with Spain.
Happy with this. He has 1 year and 2 months to write, compose and produce an even better song. ‘m so sad about Switzerland. This was their year. Lithuania, Bulgaria, Malta and Iceland were also going to have one of their best years in Eurovision. I hope they can keep their entries. Especially for Switzerland. “Repondez Moi” was my winner.
I’m from The Netherlands and i think they should broadcast a show this year where every country participate with the chosen song and artist. Then the jury and televote dicides which county becomes no.1 will be put also directly info the 2021 final. The 2021 edition must take place in Rotterdam.
While I am really glad that Damir, Hurricane and Go_A will be participating next year, I guess this means R.I.P. Dora, Beovizija and Vidbir, respectively. And this is maybe just a start. I imagine the ESC 2021 pre-season will feel really empty with no NFs.
It just means everyone will watch MelFest (if it’s on).
If Melfest doesn’t get cancelled as well, together with Sanremo, MGP, FiK and all the other traditional festivals. Then again, IDK what’s worse:
a) Cancelling them all for a year and opting for The Mamas, Diodato, Ulrikke and Arilena, respectively. Thus, ruining a decades old tradition.
b) Not cancelling them, but making their winners inelligible to compete at ESC. That would make new participations pointless.
c) Going ahead as planned and making The Mamas, Ulrikke, Dodato and Arilena’s win be in vain.
I really don’t know, but these are three really bad scenarios to choose from. 🙁
Colin, Sanremo won’t get cancelled 100% (unless the pandemic is still on), the Festival is older than Eurovision and was still hold in 2014 (when Italy had an internal selection). The most likley and logical option is to let Diodato participate in 2021, missing (unfortunately) the 2021 winner in ESC 🙁
However I fear you’re right about The Mamas, Ulrikke and Arilena… I would add Uku to the list too
Except for Ulrikke they were not my winners (I rooted for Anna Bergendahl, Elvana and Jaagup), but I think they still deserve to have a chance to perform in Rotterdam, hopefully with their original songs!
I mean, I would probably choose Option B, but like you said, there may be participation issues in some of those selections. I doubt Sanremo would have that problem (a lot of them don’t try for Eurovision anyway), but most of them at least try in FiK, and Melfest / MGP were made to be selections for Eurovision.
So I think Arilena and Diodato have a shot at their second chance. But I don’t think we’ll be seeing Ulrikke or The Mamas in 2021, sadly.
I think all Nordics will have new NF
Albania and Italy might depend. It feels uncertain.
I think Portugal will have a new FdC as well. And Slovenia EMA.
Internal acts will mostly repeat but probably with new songs. It will be an odd Esc regardless
MGP got cancelled in 1991 due to the poor quality of the entries sent at the time, so Norway ended up conducting an internal selection. I think this will happen too.
Will the roop return….or Lithuania is going to do the same as sweden?
If the roop do comeback for 2021, they may have to compose a new song.
They will need a new song. On Fire is amazing and has already been massive in Lithuania.. which makes it harder to hold buzz for 14 months. It’s tough
Lithuanians and The Roop really deserved to live this Esc.
I’m sure my country will keep The Roop for 2021.
Considering how popular they are, I wouldn’t blame Lithuania choosing them again, but if they can’t sing on fire next year, maybe the national final can be revamped to choose a song for them using the songs they are currently creating now while in quarantine. Or have them be directly placed in the final like Estonia is doing with Uku to make up for the cancellation.
Hopefully Bulgaria will pull through and not withdraw…
they announced that the sponshorship will be terminated at the end of march…. and thanks to this sponshorship came back this year….
Yeah, it’s not looking great.
Is Dadi gonna be back?
HURRICANE ARE ALSO CONFIRMED FOR 2021. this is literally one of the few good news i have heard. They have plenty of time to find a better song
probably yeah, they kept their promise with Julia in 2018 so i cant see why they wont send such a successful band
“Such a succesful band” means that they will have to sacrifice their tours and gigs for the event they haven’t even initially planned to participate in this year. Little Big were chosen by the broadcaster at the very last moment so they had to reschedule their upcoming concerts.
Yeah, and hooverphonic is another big name act that might not be able to represent Belgium in 2021 due to their own scheduling. This is quite a mess.
Actually, Hooverphonic said they would go with another song so participation hasn’t been ruled out entirely.
DO they have to change the song?
i hope we will see as many 2020 representatives as possible next year
Countries should be allowed not only to send the same artist but the same song if they wish. I dont care if Sweden wants to do Melofidestivalen again, who is going to stop Bulgaria or Lithuania sending their best ever entries?
Stefania will most likely represent Greece again
Also ERT confirmed that Stefania will be the Greek representative for the next year!
In my opinion all selected songs and artists should be granted to perform next year. I know that the national finals are going to take place next year, but I think the countries could find another solution. It would be not fair if some countries can switch their song and the others do not, t uis also a question of money, so the best would be to act like the entries were ervealed next year. And for example I think in Sweden it would not be a problem to make a Melodifestivalen just for them one year because it is… Read more »
For some countries, not doing NFs can also save them a lot of money from organising them, the alternative is withdrawal as they have spent all their budget for nothing.
Go_A is remaining Ukraine’s artists. Thank goodness. I hope Solovey stays
Solo-stay
Solo slay
What about the songs? They will change them? I hope not, because even though I don’t like some of them (like Universo, for example) I think songs are very representative of an Artist and if you keep the artist, you must keep his song
P.s: I think we can say goodbye to NF winners ?
Not necessarily. Damir and Go_A have been confirmed to be sticking around, and someone below mentioned Samanta and Destiny are also still competing.
One of the rules in ESC is that no song can have been performed of released before September the year before the contest. The entries that where sent in by countries this year are already “used” and so they will need to send in new songs for next years contest. Likely a lot of countries will have the same artists, but the songs will have to be changed. And honestly, I prefer artists and countries to send in new entries even if ESC was to change the rules. What good will it do artists to send a song that is… Read more »
Maybe, but these are also pretty extraordinary circumstances.
This is an exceptional circumstance and with that I believe artists should keep the same songs. This has never happened before. I find it frustrating that people say I’m bored of listening to the songs. If your bored, stop listening to them, you can listen to them when they’re confirmed and if they are confirmed for next year. Most people won’t have heard the songs regardless and I don’t think countries should just throw away good songs because of a rule that would make sense every other year but not for a year where the competition is cancelled. Im sorry… Read more »
I understand that this situation is upsetting to people, a lof of countries that have yet to win were bookies favourites this year. However I personally wouldn’t watch ESC next year if everyone were to keep the same songs. Right now that idea might seem like the right thing, but it’s a whole year from now. Yes it’s an exceptional circumstance, but how many songs are popular enough to actually still get played and be liked a whole year after it’s release? The show simply wouldn’t be exciting to watch. I love a lot of songs this year (Switzerland, Bulgaria,… Read more »
With this unprecedented situation, I think EBU can consider to change the September rule for one year……some countries like Bulgaria may be upset.
Yeah, I was gonna say that this is a pretty exceptional circumstance. My thought is that smaller countries (Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova) might cancel their NFs and stick with their initially selected acts. The real question mark is for countries where the NF is a huge event every year, like the other Nordic countries. Someone on YouTube suggested that maybe countries could have their artists offer a second song as an option, and fans can decide whether they’d prefer to stick with the original or pick a new one.
I couldn’t agree more with this. This was completely out of the hands of the broadcasters and the artists. Those who were set to compete this year, in my eyes, should be given the first option of if they want to go to Eurovision next year. I do think as well that, as a one off, because of the circumstances, that the artists should be allowed to keep the song they were supposed to compete with, or come up with a new one, should they choose to. I’ve seen at least that also Croatia, The Netherlands and Ukraine will send… Read more »
Bulgaria has expressed disaggrement over the desicion and want to keep the same entery for next year.
No surprise, they are number 1 at betting odds..
Yeah, but that was never their intention. The logistics of them hosting would be impossible to figure out.
If i was Bulgaria i would want the same to. its SOOOO good. hope it can be decided
That shows that a contest based on videos, as someone suggests, does not work. Bulgaria would be even angrier, because with the cancellation, they still have hope that they can keep the song (and performance) next year; with the video-based contest, their song will have already competed, and no longer eligible for next year, no matter how amazing live performance they have planned for.
Anyone who keeps their 2020 song and is a favourite to win in 2020 could see that gone in 21 as another broadcaster that wants to win will know what standard of song they need to beat
I guess Benny from the Czech Republic should also be confirmed? He just needs to do one more revamp of “Kemmama” and he is basically ready to go.
His revamp should be a change of the song
LOL
His song would cancell a half of this year songs ….keep it real #negativityneedtostay
I don’t understand why the Spanish are so keen on sending this guy and why they selected him internally in the first place. Why won’t they send someone from Operacion Triunfo like in previous years?
For one, because the OT alumni didn’t exactly set the ESC on fire in terms of results in the previous two years. Second, last year the OT participants didn’t seem thrilled at the prospect of taking part in ESC with the exception of a couple of them (that didn’t win). I’d rather have someone like Blas, who wants to do it and is already a great singer, than someone who would participate half-heartedly (and I know Miki last year gave his all, but remember that he likely only won the OT ESC Gala because the favorite, Maria with “Muerdeme”, actively… Read more »
I expect most of the internally chosen acts to return, but it means nothing. Gjon and Victoria could have terrible songs next year, for example.
All the NF winners…. well, I guess we can say bye to them. 🙁
Gjon and Victoria were amazing…
Hope they find the way to let the artists keep their songs…
Don’t think Gjon and Victoria could have terrible songs if u look at their (small) discography.
I forgot.. Ulrikke was a NF winner. ??
A pre-selected NF winner -_-
Yes, she is. She won MGP, which will, by my count, be won by another contestant in 2021.
Can already tell you that Hurricane, Go_A, and Damir Kedzo are confirmed to be the representatives next year, and I heard tell that Samanta Tina will be kept as well.
I could see at least some of those NF winners staying. I think Athena, Samanta, Natalia, and Val will get to try again because either those selections aren’t that big in their country or the broadcaster may not want to go through the troubles of putting on another expensive show after 1 was wasted.
Maybe Benny, Diodato, and The Roop could try again too (but that may just be me praying we’ll still get to see “On Fire” next year lol).
Of the NF winners, the ones I’d be really gutted to see go would be the Roop, Benny Cristo, Diodato, Samanta Tina, Ulrikke, and Alicja (and song-wise, “Alcohol You” and “Feker libi”).
Norway already went internal in 1991 when they cancelled MGP due to the poor quality of the songs.
Bulgarian broadcaster doesnt sound ok with the decision in their Twitter, they would probably withdraw
NOOO NOT AGAIN
Since wiwibloggs is reporting on eurovision, i would like to learn whether its true the rumor that a certain country pushed the cancellation of the event because they have a huge problem with coronavirus cause they didnt take any measures when it was the right moment. Hint: this country didnt cancel its national final in a stadium.
keep downvoting me bitter queens, Bulgarian esc account has tweeted that they wont accept to send a different song in 2021 because they have everything finalised for Victorias perfomance. Broadcasters are furious because of this stupid decision.
I believe it’s because Bulgaria had companies that sponsored their performance , their TV-company has economical difficulties and it’s not clear whether they’ll compete again due to that
if you are talking about Sweden, my country i am really going to be mad. So are you? And if you are, you are spreading fake news so you know. I was in the stadium and im not sick and no one in my 10 people company are sick. And Sweden love ESC, we would not be the first to want it cancelled.
I have a simple question Rasmus for you that says it all: How many cases of coronavirus you have in Sweden and did you copied the UK’s model? Yes or No?
10 dead the news say today. Its not many. So keep calm. We are fine
Linus, we can’t never know… I don’t think Mello is the reason of the spread of Corona (thouh no audience was the best option), since there were many cases in Sweden even before that, but we have to be very careful these days so that we can get out of this emergency as soon as possible.
When the Melodifestivalen final was held – the 7th of March – there where hardly any Corona-infections at all. The outbreak in Sweden was 1 week later, when people got home from Italy and Austria and started infecting others. And NO Sweden didn’t copied UK’s model. Today Sweden has 1200 infected.
Next nf season is gonna be suuuper interesting, I see.
Actually I’m sad cause I’ll be stuck with my country’s singer (maybe song too?) for another year like I can’t please no
If they dont allow countries to send the same artists/songs, something would be very fishy. Imagining preparing to represent your country only to find out that some idiots cancelled the contest
So far, it seems like Blas for Spain, Jeangu for the Netherlands and Damir for Croatia are already confirmed.
Now do it all! 41 artists planned for Eurovision 2020 for Eurovision 2021!
Destiny and Samanta Tina are also confirmed for Eurovision 2021
And Roxen
If the artist has been internally selected, I can see why they are retained for 2021, but what about the national finals? Will there be new winners for 2021, or will they be revamped to select a new song for the 2020 artists? If it’s going to be a mix of 2020 and 2021 artists, every one should get a new song just to be fair.
How do you know that? What’s your source?
Damir? So no Dora? It would be very strange if all artists goes to 2021 except the mamas. It could actually happen
Unless the mamas decide to compete in melfest again next year with a new song. I think if all or most of the 2020 artists are allowed to participate next year, they’re going to have to create new songs.
im glad he will represent spain in 2021 but wait a sec. Who is the incredible human team? The man who during his time wrong results were announced? The man who cancelled eurovision and didnt tried to postpone as it happened with any other big event? Glad i dont live in Norway, he wouldnt be happy to meet me in the streets
im 100% you not would have done a better job. So dont say these things, thanks,
For once, I have to agree with you, Linus.
You have a whole year to find a good song Blas, make us proud!
He is such a lovely man and I’m glad that he’ll represent Spain next year.
And even if I liked Universo (actually it was in my top 10), I can say that I expect better from someone who is pretty big name in his country. Actually, I expect something which be winner material.
Ok, Blas? Get it?
Also, good job Spain… I’m disgust by Sweden and Estonia who will send new artists next year. It’s just not fair.
Very true! Estonia and Sweden don’t care about their artists’ feelings 🙁
Dont say that about Sweden. It have been 1 hour since it was decided. keep calm. Everything can happen. Its just march.
I guess, at the end most countries with a yearly national selection, will do the same as Sweden and Estonia. Not fair to this year´s winners indeed – but most fair to the 2021 winners…
Always two sides of the coin…
Unless they decide to compete again.
Didn’t you all hate Uku Suviste’s song so badly??
You were bashing it like it’s the worst song ever when he won Eesti Laul
I didn’t like both Sweden and Estonia entry this year but that doesn’t mean that I don’t like Uku or Mamas. I don’t know much about Uku but these three girls are incredibly cute and charismatic… how you can’t love them?
I feel sorry for them, that someone will take ESC from them, which is highlight of their careers.
Btw, I’m like 200% sure that Sweden won’t give up on Melfest.
Like many comments up there … some country held a national final because of tradition … and some participant was aiming for the public exposure… for 1 year most of the song that win the national final will be in the official playlist of every music platform and get exposed to hundreds of thousands of users…. it is not fair that their win didnt grant them the chance to perform in ESC but it is also not fair to not give the exposure to anybody else … also the mamas been to ESC so another melfest is not a big… Read more »
This must be the earliest confirmation of participation in Eurovision history.
Dami Im announced her participation to Australia Decides 2021
montaigne should go tho
Dami will be just as good in 2022
Lol tea ?
No tea, it would just be unfair not to let Montaigne participate. I actually hate her song and love Dami, but even I think it would be weird if they just skip Montaigne and send Dami instead.
In fact if Belgium keeps their artists, they will break a record too: the longest time between the artist confirmation and the actual performance in Eurovision.
But what if Hooverphonic can’t compete for Eurovision next year due to their own schedule (they are a big name)? Granted, their tours may have been cancelled due to the virus, but anything is up in the air right now.
Then Spain will break the record. If I remember correctly, Blas was the second artist to confirm.
Yes lmao.
No reason why he shouldn’t go But he could ask the universe to provide a better song for 2021. Just a suggestion.
This should be mandatory to all broadcasters but the songs… Dang I loved all of them and I’m sad we will never hear them again.
If the artists themselves don’t want to take part in 2021, no one can force them.
I mean… why would they say no if that was their dream to be on the Eurovision stage?
I don’t know, perhaps some of them do not want Eurovision to linger around them for more than one year, and better move on…
They are on esc radio and multiple reactors sites and YT Of course we will hear them again.
Will broadcasters have to pay everything for 2021 again? Cause I don’t think smaller countries will do that especially after the economic recession that covid-19 has brought to the EU
Yay, I’m very happy for him! Hope to see all the artists returning!
+1
Sweden and Estonia have said they are sending different artists.
@sav001 Where did you find that information? If true, then it’s very sad for the artists which won their national finals rightfully. 🙁
Ok, I just looked at the Wikipedia page for Eurovision 2021 and there it’s said Uku will not represent Estonia next year 🙁