As we approach the dark nights of the Eurovision national final season, countries across the continent have been gearing up their preparations for the upcoming contest in Lisbon. Casting and submission calls have been thrown open in recent days by a number of broadcaster which means we are not too far away from hearing the first potential entries of the new season!
We had previously confirmed that Hungary would be participating with A Dal, and that Serbia would return to Beovizija to select their entry. The United Kingdom also opened a call for entries recently. Now, it has been confirmed that this year’s host country Ukraine would also be hosting a national final, continuing the extravagant Vidbir format used to choose the 2017 performance!
Кастинг національного відбору України вже розпочато!
Casting for the #Vidbir2018 is starting now! pic.twitter.com/UhVzpUTTTc— UA:Eurovision (@uapbc) October 1, 2017
Casting for the competition began at the start of the month with the news setting fans into fever pitch over which Ukrainian artists would take the plunge. #YOU can discuss who you’d like to see in our dedicated Ukraine thread HERE.
Production company STB has taken over the reins for the competition with public broadcaster UA:PBC only footing the bill for participation and any relevant fees. It has been confirmed that the competition will at least consist of two semi-finals on 10th and 17th February with the final taking place on 24th February.
Greece is another nation who have begun their search for a star in 2018, following a dissapointing recent run in the contest, with the last top ten finish arriving in 2013 with “Alcohol is Free”. The previously consistent Greece will be looking for a return to the upper reaches of the scoreboard in Lisbon and have enlisted the help of the eight biggest record companies in the nation to submit their songs over the next two weeks.
While unconfirmed, Greece’s national broadcaster ERT are expected to organise a national final from the submitted entries.
Of the countries who have confirmed their intentions to participate, at least 23 are expected to hold a national final at the time of writing; Albania, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom – so you need to make sure to clear your weekends for the next few months!
What shows are #YOU looking forward to in 2018? Let us know below or join the discussion on our dedicated forum HERE!
