Whilst practically all the 2018 Eurovision participating countries have revealed the mechanism that they will use to select their Eurovision act and entry for Lisbon, we are yet awaiting for the Spanish broadcaster to disclose its plan of action.

TVE, the Spanish national broadcaster has been very quiet regarding its plans for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest. The broadcaster has revived the famous musical talent show Operación Triunfo but has not linked it to Eurovision yet.

We must not forget that Operación Triunfo was launched on TVE back in 2001 and served as the platform to select the Spanish Eurovision entries in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Is TVE paving the way for OT 2017?

What seems to be very bizarre is that the revamped version Operación Triunfo has been constantly drawing attention to the Eurovision Song Contest and giving it much exposure. Eurovision has been very much on the show’s forefront recently. Is TVE paving its way to use Operación Triunfo as the mechanism to select its Eurovision act for Lisbon?

Former Spanish Eurovision representatives Rosa Lopez, Manel Navarro, Ruth Lorenzo, Nina have either graced the show or visited the academy and shared their Eurovision experience with this year’s participants.

Last Monday, Operación Triunfo hosted a Eurovision Chat after the show and a special Eurovision medley was performed by OT’s host, participants and teachers, featuring many Eurovision hits; Waterloo, La la la, Baila el chiki-chiki, Bandido, Dile que la quiero, Diva, Europe’s living a celebration, etc.

To add more flame to the fire, the participants have been performing former Eurovision entries during the shows, most notably the public’s hot favorite Alfred performed the 2017 Portuguese Eurovision winning entry Amar pelos dois last Monday. Miriam and Thalia performed Loreen’s winning Eurovision entry Euphoria last week.

Operacion Triunfo 2017 participants performing the 1973 Spanish Eurovision entry Eres tu

Thalia and Miriam perform the 2012 Swedish Eurovision winning entry Euphoria

Ruth Lorenzo (Spain 2014) visits the OT 2017 Academy

Nina (Spain 1986) and former Operación Triunfo Headmistress visits the academy

Rosa  Lopez (Spain 2002) visits OT 2017 show #0

Manel Navarro (Spain 2017) visits the OT Academy

The Eurochat and Eurovision medley performed by teachers, coaches and participants

Will Spain select their Eurovision 2018 act via OT 2017?

Operación Triunfo has returned to TVE after 13 years. The Spanish national broadcaster kicked off the new edition of the show last month.

It is yet unclear if Spain will opt for OT 2017 in order to select its hopeful for Lisbon. TVE is tight lipped regarding its plans for Eurovision 2018, but has not ruled out this option.

We believe that if this edition of OT is a hit and attracts many viewers, the Spanish broadcaster will select its Eurovision entry and act via Operación Triunfo.

Operación Triunfo and Eurovision

Operación Triunfo kicked off in Spain in 2001 and TVE used it as the mechanism to select the 2002 Spanish Eurovision entry and act.

The first edition of the talent show was a massive hit in Spain, thus getting much exposure and mediatic coverage. Rosa Lopez was crowned the winner of OT 2001 and won the golden ticket to Tallinn with her song Europe’s living a celebration.

TVE used the same format for the following 2 years in order to select the Spanish Eurovision entry and act: Beth (2003) and Ramon (2004).

TVE axed the show after its third edition. In 2005, Spanish private television channel Tele Cinco revived the talent show and aired a total of 5 seasons and had no link to Eurovision.

We must not forget that 2 of the participants of the 4th edition of Operación Triunfo went on to represent years after their participation: Soraya Arnelas (2009) and Edurne (2015).

Spain in Eurovision

Spain debuted in Eurovision in 1961 and has won the competition twice (1968 and 1969). The country enjoyed much success in its early days, but now seems to have had a reverse in fortunes. We must not forget that Spain has not made it to the Top 5 since 1995.

The Iberian country has only made it twice to the Top 10 in the last decade, namely in 2012 and 2014 with Pastora Soler and Ruth Lorenzo respectively.

In 2017, Spain selected its Eurovision entry via a national final leading to Manel Navarro‘s victory and winning the golden ticket to Kyiv with Do it for your lover. Unfortunately Spain came last in the Grand Final, continuing the bad spell of poor results in the competition.