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Spain is living a celebration: Operación Triunfo back for Eurovision

06 December 2017 at 17:45 CET
Operación Triunfo 2017 contestants rtve.es
Spain's entrant in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will come from the TV show 'Operación Triunfo'. This was announced by its presenter, Roberto Leal, in the seventh live show of TVE's talent show last Monday. It was the method used to select the Spanish entries from 2002 to 2004.

The talent show Operación Triunfo, also known in Spain as OT, premiered on the Spanish broadcaster, RTVE, in 2001 with the ultimate goal of being the method for selecting the Spanish entry in the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. The method was used again in 2003 and 2004. Its outstanding success brought a new wave of interest in the Eurovision Song Contest in Spain, so the news revealed during this week's live show have been welcomed with enthusiasm.

Betting on talent

To participate in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in neighbouring Portugal, RTVE is looking for the best possible formula, a successful proposal that would generate excitement among viewers and fans of the contest.

Operación Triunfo is a successful format, and lauched the career of Rosa López who won the first edition of the contest. She achieved seventh place with Europe's Living A Celebration in 2002, Spain's best placing in the contest in fifteen years. The format also transformed the popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest in Spain which was followed by some 13 million viewers and more than 80% of market share.

OT is now back in the prime time of Spanish Television, after several years, last October, commited to discover new talent among young performers in Spain. It has proven to be successful phenomenon once again, and is helping to train a new generation of performers.

Unlike when it was first launched, the programme has become a format that generates an intense activity in social media - it has been the trending topic every day since its premiere- establishing an emotional bond with the audience and the support of the majority of Spanish 'eurofans'.

Further news on how the Spanish 2018 Eurovision Song Contest perfomer/s and song will be selected are set to be revealed in the coming weeks!