Switzerland changes direction for 2018

13 July 2017 at 12:20 CEST

Switzerland Press Conference 2017 Photo: Thomas Hanses

Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR has announced changes to its national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The search for 2018 will place more focus on the song in the early stages of the process with the artist confirmed later.

Submissions for the Swiss national selection for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will open on Friday 1st September and close on Friday 22nd September. According to the rules of the 2018 selection, SRG SSR is seeking a modern song with a "strong, clear and understandable message."

Rule changes for 2018

After the deadline a jury of music and media professionals as well as Eurovision fans and spectators, will select the songs that will appear in the live final. In a further change of direction for 2018, the songs which make the shortlist will be tested out with different vocalists to find the perfect interpretation for each song. Artists that are Swiss nationals or are resident in Switzerland will be given priority, however, nationality is not the deciding factor when selecting an artist.

Switzerland won the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and 2018 will mark the 30th anniversary of the country's last victory when Celine Dion lifted the trophy with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.

Timebelle represented Switzerland in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, narrowly missing out on a place in the Grand Final with their song Apollo.

The national selection will take place on Sunday 4th February 2018 and the winner will be decided by a 50/50 combination of public televotes and votes from an international jury. More details are available on the website of SRG SSR. You can also find out more information on Facebook and Twitter. Don't forget to use the hashtag #srfesc.