Albania is no longer the only country choosing its Eurovision 2022 song in December. Czech Television has revealed on the official ESCZ 2022 web site that they’ll choose their artist in December too.

So who will be competing in their online selection show? Well that’s to be decided. But the broadcaster did confirm that it received more than 150 songs “from several dozen different artists from around the world” when the submissions window closed on September 30. The internal selection process to pick out the diamonds that shine brightest is now underway.

ESCZ 2022: Czech Republic confirms national final for December

The Czech team also teased that it’s called in some big guns to help it make that cull, adding two luminaries to their internal judging panel. They write:

“This year, the in-house team responsible for selecting these performers was strengthened by one American composer and European producer / performer. Their identity will be revealed after the selection of the finalists of the national round, so that these jurors cannot be influenced in any way during the selection.”

What else?

“Applicants for songs selected for the national round will be contacted by e-mail by October 20 to confirm their participation and agree on the terms of the national round.”

“Individual participants and their compositions will be published in early December.”

“The national round will take place in December 2021, so that the winning performer can work on his Eurovision performance from January 2022.”

“To participate in the national round, it is necessary to record a live version of the song in the Czech Television studio, which will serve as a basis for voting.”

“Voting will take place electronically and the result will be decided by a 50% international jury, 25% international spectators and 25% Czech spectators.”

 

 

Just like many of his Eurovision 2021 contemporaries, Benny Cristo was originally due to sing at Eurovision 2020. But he never got the chance to perform as the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily for Benny, he got a second chance when Czech TV decided to keep him on for Eurovision 2021.

While completely different, “omaga” is heavily influenced by Benny’s planned entry for 2020 — “Kemama”. He explains that “the main message is me being honest about trying to have fun in these times and not overcomplicating things and overthinking things like I did with “Kemama”. With “Kemema” there were a lot of hidden messages and things I wanted to reveal about myself, but here it’s less about me and I’m just trying to tune into the viewer and trying to give you positive energy by any means necessary. I just want you to realize and not think about anything. I really just want you to smile. Nothing deeper than that.”

Who do you think the iconic members of the Czech judging panel are? And which artists do you hope submitted to the broadcaster? Let us know in the comments box below!

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Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Benny was a disappointment on stage. He’s so charismatic and talented but failed to showcase it on stage, plus the song didn;t help either. I hope they pick a strong performer next time.

Czech Republic eventually will find their way!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Yeah, Benny ‘s performance was a real letdown. I hope Czech Republic can pick them selves back up for 2022.

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago

czechia hasnt found the formula yet but I think they’ll win within the next 10 years

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Bird Lover

The Czech Republic has a long way to go before the win Eurovision, but if they put in the long-term hard work, it might come true.

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

you literally reworded what i wrote lol

Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

you literally just reworded what i wrote lol

BimBamBoum
BimBamBoum
2 years ago

So cool to see so many countries giving the choice to public when it comes to decide on an “hymn” that will represent you internationaly in front so many people. Plus it gives credit to talents and creators and let us fans appreciate new musical horizons until the “New Year period” lol :). I’m looking forward to this new national final season with more than 20 different selections planned across Europe (and Australia ;-)). It reminds me when I first get interested in this musical marathon in 2018-2019. Plus the fact that we’ll have already a lot to listen no… Read more »

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

I know Wiwibloggs did a thing a while back showing the first songs selected for the last few years and how they did compared to the last songs selected. From 2014 on, it’s been:
2014: Ukraine/Russia
2015: North Macedonia/Montenegro
2016: Albania/Bulgaria
2017: Albania/Armenia
2018: Albania/Georgia
2019: Albania/Israel (I think – on a technicality you could say Poland since it was released in November but it wasn’t confirmed as the Eurovision entry until a lot later)
2020: Albania/Russia
2021: Albania/Malta (again, technically you could say Ukraine if you count the pre-revamped version of Shum)

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

It’s a different matter if you consider artist reveals. The earliest I can think of is Lena for 2011, since she said she’d be defending her title literally AT the winner’s press conference. Valentina also confirmed her initial two returns pretty quickly. Not to mention all the countries who confirmed their 2020 hopefuls would return the day the contest was canceled (off the top of my head, that included Azerbaijan, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine).

esc2022milan
esc2022milan
2 years ago

So ESC2022 may be the first ESC since ESC2015 that Albania won’t be the first country to select it’s song. An historical moment right here!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  esc2022milan

Which was the first song released for the 2015 season before Albania?

Leo
Leo
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

The Netherlands I believe

tvescfan
tvescfan
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

It was North Macedonia (using Skopje Fest in Mid-November 2014).

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  tvescfan

Oh OK, I thought it was “Warrior” selected to represent Malta in November 2014. But before Albania (lol).

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
2 years ago

Weren’t they supposed to have a televised national final? I remember well that initially they had planned to have televised national final even in 2020.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

I don’t know why the Czech Republic does an online selection instead of a televised one, but this time around We’re going to get live on tape performances instead of just the music videos so we can assess who has the best live vocals.

HayashiM
HayashiM
2 years ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Yes we were supposed to have it. However they’d cancelled it due to insufficient funds/lack of public interest in Eurovision which prompted Jan Bors to resign as our HoD.
For the time being, we need to be as cost effective as possible…

Azaad
Azaad
2 years ago
Reply to  HayashiM

I think that the online format just works well for the broadcaster. Not only is it cheaper, but it managed to get them their two best results. So it doesn’t appear that there has to be a trade off between cost and results. Moreover, having it online facilitates having international fans being able to vote, which I don’t think would be able to continue happening with the televote that accompanies a traditional televised competition. The international fan vote is probably a huge part of why fans like the Czech selection because it’s the one selection everyone gets a say in,… Read more »

NickC
NickC
2 years ago

We will probably have a decent idea who will win in Estonia too by December, so we will (approximately) have 3 songs. I like the fact that every single selection is not the same weekend this year, it drives me nuts switching back and forth between national finals.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  NickC

Actually, Estonia is having its quarterfinals in November and December And then they’ll have their semi finals and grand final in February I think. I don’t think they still need song is gonna be chosen before 2021 is over, but I think will have at least a view of who has the stronger song for the next phase of the national final.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

I’m surprised we’re possibly getting two Eurovision 2022 songs in December and not just Albania. RIP to the all the ranking videos putting Albania as number 1 vid, But we’re definitely kicking things off

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Interesting! Question for you; can you recall which country chose before even Albania in 2015 – and why?!

Last edited 2 years ago by Jofty
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

Honestly, I don’t know because I didn’t get into Eurovision until 2016. Do you know the answer?

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Ukraine also selected their act for 2014 before Albania

Thomas Sturley
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

Walk Along The Netherlands

Ixuxu
Ixuxu
2 years ago

Sounds promising