Photo: EBU / Thomas Hanses

The Cypriot broadcaster CyBC — in conjunction with Panik Records — will stage a televised talent show to choose its Eurovision 2023 artist. That may seem like a long time in the future, but Panik understands the importance of the event and the potential it has to promote artists.

Speaking to Esquire magazine, its CEO George Arsenakos said:

“I can say that we as Panik have talked to RIK (also known as CyBC), the state channel of Cyprus, and we will take over the representation of the country in Eurovision in 2023. So whoever wins the new talent show, which we are preparing, will represent Cyprus at Eurovision in 2023. I consider it a very strong prize, which will attract very good entries.”

Our sources tell us that the expectation is for the show to air on CyBC in Cyprus and also on a major private TV network in Greece, with open auditions in both countries. This will create an opportunity for new talent — and, perhaps, act as a scouting opportunity for the label itself.

The panel of judges will almost certainly include former representatives from Cyprus. If we had to take a guess, we’d say they may well come from the Panik family. You’ll recall that artists from its stable were internally selected for Eurovision 2018 (Eleni Foureira), 2020 (Sandro) and 2021 (Elena Tsagrinou). Panik also represents Eurovision alums including Demy and Ivi Adamou.

Cyprus hasn’t held a national selection since 2015, when John Karayiannis won the Eurovision Song Project.

Are you excited to see a major label collaborating on a televised selection show? Do you think this could take Cyprus even higher? Let us know in the comments below. 

Read more Cyprus Eurovision news here

32 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago

fuego 4.0 i guess lol

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
2 years ago

Hey guys, the OGAE Second Chance 2021 results are here! Here’s the video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZCLqsGFVic&t=1s

Apollo
Apollo
2 years ago

Good for them, but I was perfectly happy with Cyprus internally selecting their artist/song. A Cypriot national final won’t be long-lasting, simply because they have a small population and limited resources. I have a strong feeling this national final idea will be scrapped before it even begins.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago
Reply to  Apollo

Well they are definitely trying to make it succeed since they’re already planning ahead for 2023. They’re partnering up with private television companies. Ukrainian broadcaster also has limited resources but their national selection is always a smash hit because they use the same tactic + it’s open to both greeks and Cypriots. It sounds promising.

Last edited 2 years ago by Frisian esc
Apollo
Apollo
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Ukraine has the advantage of a massive population, huge music scene and they definitely have the resources for a national selection to showcase their talent.

On the other hand, Cyprus heavily relies on Greece from artists to producers. Logically, I think smaller nations benefit greater from internal selections. They can pick and choose artists instead of grouping them all into a national final only for the losing artists to never return due to defeat.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Apollo

Iceland can do it…

Danny
Danny
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

They can but the quality of their selections are usually rather mediocre with the exception of maybe 2-3 songs.

Apollo
Apollo
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Iceland has the benefit of being a wealthy nation. If Luxembourg returned, I’m sure they would have similar results to Iceland.

Also, as Danny said, the majority of Icelandic national final songs aren’t great, there’s usually only one stand out.

MichaelP
MichaelP
2 years ago
Reply to  Apollo

A lot of Greece’s artists are from Cyprus. they just move to Greece to make a career as the music industry in Cyprus is almost non-existent even though Cypriots are well known in Greece for having great vocalists.

Last edited 2 years ago by MichaelP
Gianni Petropoulos
Gianni Petropoulos
2 years ago

Guys I know u are excited for a national final in Cyprus BUT as we already know most CANDITATES are from Greece. As a proud Greek I want to tell u guys that currently Greece has some CANDITATES for Italy. Which means that some of them may try to represent Cyprus in the future. Anyways most arrtists in Greece have stated that they do NOT want to participate in a national final. So this selection may be a bad idea. Not to mention that Cyprus is Once again based on panik for their participation. Didn’t they learn their lesson from… Read more »

lok
lok
2 years ago

Greece’s success? Just because you ended up in the Top 10 in 2021 for the first time since 2013 doesn’t mean you are succesful. Greece has been in the wilderness until Stefania placed well and gave you guys some new excitement about Eurovision.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

Success? Everything is relative but ok Stefania this year was 10th so in that case Cyprus is even more successful the last 5 years imo …, Cyprus is the esc 2018’s runner up (when Greece was non qualified in the GF) and since their come back in 2015, Cyprus has never failed to qualify.

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
Marios Messios
Marios Messios
2 years ago

Greece success meaning the top 10 u had last year?

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
2 years ago

I first thought the year was a misprint, like it’s supposed to be 2022, not 2023, but apparently this talent show is for 2023. So far out considering we still don’t know where the host city will be, but I guess they must already have somebody picked out for 2022, and we’ll have to wait for the news.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Badwoolfgirl

Tania Breazou could be their internal selection for 2022, her name as the Cyprus representative for the esc next year seems to be often cited in this moment, so let’s see.

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

How did you come across that name?

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Some articles…

Rashad
Rashad
2 years ago

“A talent show”
What are they going to send next year? A clown?

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
2 years ago

Yet they don’t have any news about 2022?

hhhhurricane
hhhhurricane
2 years ago

This is like what, the fourth renewed national selection this year? Oh we are eating well next spring, girlies 😀 everyone say thank you maneskin

Sale
Sale
2 years ago

Plss wiwibloggs contact RTCG about Montenegro’s participation

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

Swell. You doing 2022 first?

ESCFrexk
ESCFrexk
2 years ago

Yes thats a great idea!

Lorenzo
Lorenzo
2 years ago

Ok, but why are they already thinking about 2023? Maybe it means they already got the artist for Italy?

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

Wow again a new National Selection, that’s cool, it seems there will have less and less internal selections in the future, I like this new trend because it means the eurofans will have more shows to follow during the national selections season. Spain, San Marino, now Cyprus, it’s Christmas before the date.

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
Rojo Mx
Rojo Mx
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Well Cyprus will have it’s selection in 2023 but who knows if they will continue this trend in the upcoming years, and same with San Marino; being such a small broadcaster I doubt they will make it a usual anual selection. All depends on the final results of the scoreboard and the popularity of the winning song

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Rojo Mx

Well, I hope they all will keep their national selections whatever their results because we all know that it makes years to install a popular selection in the esc world. So the countries with new national selections keep the faith please even if you are not awarded the first time, show your perseverance and it will pay.
And all the participating countries with already popular national selections had not systematically good results each years, but they keep doing it each years so with Eurovision you have to be patient and perseverant.

Rojo Mx
Rojo Mx
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Mmm idk I guess things don’t work like that. Sometimes having a national selection is not the best option, look at Switzerland and the horrendously bad track they had with their selection between 2011 and 2018. But then they changed to an internal and here we are with three years of QUALITY courtesy of Switzerland. And what about Duncan selected internally for the win? In conclusion, EVERY country can do well but they sould find THE way that best fits with them, look at Germany trying to do the Switzerland’s method and almost finishing last. Not everyone should do NF… Read more »

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Rojo Mx

I see what you mean, and as I said countries with national selections don’t do well systematically but it gives more fun for the eurofans during the pre season, ok Switzerland has never done really well with their national selections but the way they choose their songs now is like a non televised national selection, it’s not a pure internal selection, at the end these are jurors from different countries who choose, only the singer is chosen internally, so it’s 50/50. Of course a method that works for a country won’t work obligatorily for another, but it can inspire…. for… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
Ixuxu
Ixuxu
2 years ago

Italy in 2021: we don’t know the host city yet
Cyprus: in 2023 we will have a NF ?

Azaad
Azaad
2 years ago

Hope that a Cypriot gets to represent them in 2023 then (I’m assuming someone Greek will be the chosen artist for Italy).