Having confirmed the Czech Republic’s participation in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest earlier today, the Czech broadcaster CT has opened song submissions for the country’s internal selection process.

This year saw the Czech Republic receive their best result to date at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, having qualified to the Grand Final of the event for the very first time with Gabriela Gunčíková and her song I stand. The Czech Republic went on to receive a total of 41 points in the final and finished in 25th place.

CT garnered a total of 2 million views in total throughout their coverage of the contest on both CT1 and CT2, some of their most successful viewing figures for the contest to date.

Internal selection for 2017

Due to their success in the 2016 contest, CT will once again opt for an internal selection in order to select their representative for the upcoming contest and will again open song submissions to the national and international public.

Speaking of the Czech Republic’s confirmation in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, CT’s Programme Manager for Entertainment Jan Bors revealed:

I am very pleased that, once again, we get the opportunity to represent the Czech Republic at the world’s biggest entertainment show. Our priority is to constantly improve the quality, both in the selection of the song and the artist, and in the presentation of the event itself.

As with 2016, the song for the contest will be selected by an expert jury consisting of members including representatives of CT alongside a number of music experts. An internal artist selection will then follow.

Submissions open worldwide

Song submissions are currently open to composers and producers both nationally and internationally, with submissions closing on Wednesday 30 November. All submissions must include the following:

• Songs must be a maximum length of 3 minutes, complying with Eurovision rules.
• Songs must not have been released before the 1 September 2016.
• Song recording must be provided, including text and reference singing.

All submissions must be sent to [email protected].

Creative Producer of the Eurovision project, Jan Potměšil, spoke about CT’s song selection:

Finding a song that matches the current world trends and qualities and also withstand the intense competition of the Eurovision Song Contest is very difficult. Even in the case of Czech artists, it is absolutely normal that they cooperate with foreign authors and producers. I am convinced that the broadest song selection process is the way to higher quality.

More details regarding the Czech Republic’s representative for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest are expected to come in the months to follow.