'Ich will zum ESC!': Germany launches a new path to Eurovision

06 December 2023 at 11:00 CET

Rea Garvey and Conchita Wurst will front 'Ich will zum ESC!' in Germany Photo: NDR/ André Kowalski

German broadcaster NDR has revealed details of a brand-new television series offering aspiring performers an opportunity to represent Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest.

230507_Sarah Louise Bennett_EBU_2442.jpg — Lord of the Lost from Germany attending the Turquoise Carpet event at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool. Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

A new route to the Eurovision Song Contest has opened for budding vocal talents in Germany. The brand-new show Ich will zum ESC! (I want to go to the ESC!) starts in January on ARD Mediathek, following a selection of up-and-comers as they compete to win a participation spot on Germany's pre-selection format for Malmö, Eurovision Song Contest – Das deutsche Finale 2024.

Across 6 episodes, Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst and singer/songwriter Rea Garvey will act as coaches for the talented hopefuls. They will then be whittled down to a set of finalists, who will get to perform at the live final of Ich will zum ESC!. The all-important final will take place on Thursday 8 February at 22:00 CET, and will be broadcast on ARD Mediathek, and also on the television station NDR Fernsehen.

The winner of the final, as decided by the voting public, will then get to compete at Germany's national final for Malmö 2024 - Eurovision Song Contest – Das deutsche Finale. The German pre-selection happens on Friday 16 February.

Eurovision winner Conchita is already excited about what this opportunity could mean for a fresh singing talent:

"We offer the participants a unique opportunity. Anyone who has ever experienced the very special flair of the ESC stage will carry this life-changing experience in their hearts forever!"

Information about all 15 hopefuls can be found on eurovision.de/esc.

Episodes one to three of Ich will zum ESC! will premiere on Thursday 25 January on ARD Mediathek, with the 4th episode following on Tuesday 30 January. Episode 5 debuts on Thursday 1 February, with the live final happening on Thursday 8 February.

In addition to watching the show on ARD Mediathek, fans can also engage with their favourites on social media. Both talents and coaches will share exclusive behind-the-scenes insights on TikTok using the hashtag #IchWillZumESC, offering glimpses into their emotions and providing close-up impressions from the set.

Germany's act for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will follow on from the group Lord of the Lost, who represented Germany in Liverpool with the song Blood & Glitter.