It’s been a while. But in 2023 the Czech Republic will stage a live national selection. The show will be broadcast on January 30.
The announcement is welcome news for fans who’d previously worried that the Czech Republic might withdraw. You’ll recall that when announcing ESCZ last year, their team included a get-out clause if they had to withdraw from Eurovision “for any reason.”
In a statement, Ahmad Halloun, International Head of Press, said:
“It will be a modest and high-quality show, once again we are focusing on showcasing Czech talent internationally, and a live show is a fantastic way to do so, the show will be focused of course on a Czech and International audience, something everyone will enjoy”.
Kryštof Šámal-Head of Delegation said:
“I am proud of how the brand has grown at least in the Czech music scene, the platform is becoming extremely interesting and attractive. I am pleased to announce that we have received an overwhelming response from the Czech music industry. More than 170 songs were submitted – mostly from Czech composers – and all with Czech vocalists. Picking just a handful of songs is getting more and more difficult and we hope to finalize the names of the finalists in the coming days. More details about the show will be revealed in the coming weeks.”
Are you excited for the live show? Who do you hope to see compete? Let us know down below!
I wonder when the songs will be released.
i hope they do well. we need esc hosted in prague asap!
Let’s hope Czech Republic has one of the best songs for that to happen.
I really want them to do very well. They always have high quality entries and it’s their time to shine.
I get why people wouldn’t like Israel 2007 but they really don’t deserve to be grouped with all the very poor and extremely trashy stuff like Poland, Switzerland, the UK and so on…
Czechia, a broadcaster with a tiny budget but they somehow always make things work and improve year after year. I wish Ireland’s HoD would take notes.
I genuinely think Czechia will win in the near future if they keep attracting more talent from the Czech music scene. Props to Mikolas Josef, I feel as though his big name boosted ESC’s popularity in Czechia and gave Czech artists some motivation to participate.
I do not think budget is the issue here. Ireland’s head chief is well aware of the problem but the songs sent in are simply not good enough he says .So he has to work with what he has..
Czechs might not have the budget but they have the songs and thar is the difference.
The Czech HoD struck gold when Mikolas Josef participated. Whether they convinced him to or whether it was Mikolas’ idea is unknown, but his participation and result at ESC paved the way for other established artists to send in songs.
Ireland’s HoD needs one fresh & urban artist to participate, place well at ESC and in turn, it’ll encourage other young Irish artists to send in songs.
The thing you don’t understand is that Mikolas Josef was virtually unknown in the Czech Republic before ESC and his participation MADE HIM an established artist here. But there’s no arguing that his success completely changed the game for how Czech artists view the potential of Eurovision.
Mala Dama is a gem! I also listen that song
Last place should have been reserved for the repetitive song of Belgium or the irksome venue of Poland with an underaged girl, even if Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Montenegro could have all claimed that ”prize”. I’ll leave Israel in a ”so bad it’s good” category together with the UK (who was an AQ). But sure, all of them are well below Czech Republic on my list. The NQs that make me most furious are Andorra, Malta, and Iceland, but Czechia should have made it through as well. Very weird semi results.
Only 3 songs? They all better be potential winners then if it is that limited..
Winner potential or not, they better be something good.
I hope the Czech Republic will have a good selection with 3 songs, because it’s not the quantity that counts but the quality so I hope it will be confirmed!
1. Nice that they acknowledge the international audience.
2. I’d rather have 3 top-quality songs, than 40 3-minute pieces of meh. *cough* Malta *cough*
True, but that’s not the alternative here, is it? We were never going to get “40 pieces of meh” from the Czech Republic, that’s not what ESCZ does. I’d take their usual 7 good songs over their looming 3 good songs this year, anyway.
I know, but I was comparing them to Malta.
Great that we have another nf, and it being on Monday means it will be in the spotlight. I saw rumours of there being 3 songs. As long as their good im ok with that, but I would like at least 6-10 songs
It’s not rumours, that’s what the czech delegation posted on their fb
Great news! ESCZ has been one of my favorite national finals lately and the missing piece of the puzzle was a televised show. Hopefully Czech Republic will make a wise choice and get a good reward in Liverpool.
I hope there will be a range of different genres, and hopefully something in Czech. I saw somewhere that there was rumours of 3 songs, but I hope it’s at least 6-10
Looks like we’ll get two songs selected for January 2023 from Belgium and Czech Republic, maybe three whenever Cyprus’s Andrew Lambrou drops his song.
We’ll also hear the Portuguese song. Thank you, calendar section of Wiwi!
Yes, the Portuguese entries will be released on January 19th, but the FdC competition won’t start until February 25.
Now Mr Tserunyan and Mrs Redde-Amiel we are waiting for something from you….you’re the Jesc masters so show us that you can be the same in Esc.
Ok cool! A new show to watch is always a great news!
This is great news from the Czech Republic. Their quality of songs has been on the rise the last few years. I do predict a Czech win in the coming years. Who knows maybe it might be this year
I really love to see this! It’s always heartwarming and gratifying to see an underperforming country get their act together and improve over time. I’m looking forward to this show!
Oh dear, you’re right – that is on Monday. I wouldn’t call it a smart move though. We’ll see.
If this is the reason they are picking just 3 songs for the nf – to have nicer production and presentation I’m completely ok with “modest show”. I hope the nf will continue to grow though. Still – this is a great news!
Best news today. This certainly means that the “three songs” are off the table, doesn’t it, and I’m absolutely down for it. ESCZ has been one of my favourite national finals these last years, and I’m confident that this will not change anytime soon.
I’m looking forward to it. ”Handful of songs” – Does that mean more than initially announced 3? Will be get to hear the songs before the finals? The Czech Republic is simply killing it quality-wise since their return in 2015. One song I was neutral on, and the rest I really like, or even love. The last two editions of their selection were quite strong too, especially the one in 2020. But the one aspect they learned to be careful of is the live vocal, so the fact that they are doing it live now is good. Best of luck!
They are promising modest and high-quality show, so probably just the 3. But maybe they’ll surprise us, I’m not holding my breath though.
Nothing not to like about this.
Except use of the word “brand”.
Even worse.