Greece: ERT invites 10 Greek record labels to submit entries for NF

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 2,583 views

As the deadline for Greek record companies to submit their proposals to ERT draws nearer, the excitement is rising in Athens as Greece gears up for its 2018 Eurovision national final.

Last month ERT, the Greek national broadcaster confirmed to ESCToday Greece’s Eurovision 2018 participation. Hereafter, ERT sent out an invite to the country’s main record record companies inviting them to submit their proposals for a potential Eurovision national final. ESCToday has learned that a total of 10 record companies received ERT’s letter of invitation.

The main criteria and requirements in the letter state that the submitted song has to be entirely in Greek with ethnic Greek influence showcasing the country’s musical culture and heritage.

The 10 invited Greek record labels

  • Minos EmiUniversal
  • Icon Music
  • Panik Records Music
  • FeelGood Entertainment Records Music
  • Heaven Music – 314 Records
  • Spicy Music – 314 Records
  • Cobalt Music – 314 Records
  • Poly Music – 314 Records
  • Final Touch 
  • Spider Music
  • Satellite Records

ERT’s plan for Eurovision 2018

Greece is planning to hold a national final in order to select its Eurovision entry act during the last week of February. The exact date and venue is yet to be determined and confirmed.

ERT expects to receive between 12-15 songs by the end of this week, Friday 27 October, when the extended submission deadline concludes. Hereafter a special jury of music experts will select the potential candidates for the 2018 Greek national final.

So far circa 9 acts have submitted an entry to the Greek broadcaster. More information and details regarding the 2018 Greek Eurovision project will be released in due course.

Greece in Eurovision

Greece debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with Marinella and has won the event in 2005 with Helena Paparizou‘s My number one, thus bringing the contest for the very first time on Greek soil in 2006.

The country has been one of the most successful countries in the competition in recent years, having not missed a single Grand Final with the exception of 2016 when it didn’t qualify to the Grand Final in Stockholm.

In 2017, Demy was selected internally to represent Greece at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. She made he nation proud with her entry This is love. Despite an extraordinary performance she placed 19th in the Grand Final.

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 8, 10 and 12 May at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.