National selection success stories shared in Berlin

In the previous years, Eurovision Song Contest national selection events in several of the participating countries have been revamped and became huge successes as a result. EBU/EUROVISION invited TV professionals to share their experience in Berlin with their colleagues.

"We believe that the success of the Eurovision Song Contest starts in the domestic market. A strong national selection contributes to that success. During the day, we have seen a variety of inspiring cases from across Europe." says Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor of the contest, pointing out the importance of national selections.

Through presentations from the Estonian, Maltese, Irish, German, Finnish, and Swedish broadcasters, their colleagues found out how it is to revamp a national selection in practise.

Very different formats were introduced - from organising the selection show in a popular talk show in Ireland to the grand tour of the Swedish Melodifestivalen and concentrating on new music in Estonia and Finland. Not to speak of the highly successful formats in Malta and Germany.

Though very different, all of them had talent and music in the centre while nurturing it according to local conditions.

This has brought quite some success to the countries organising national selections the past years - 4 out of the last years top 5 were from countries hosting a selection show. Also, all the winners in the last 5 years have been picked through a national selection.

The event was held for the second time (first time in 2006) and the next workshop will feature another topic.