Eurovision seems to be the name of the game in Operación Triunfo 2017! The music talent show is back on TVE and – slowly and swiftly – garnering viewers and popularity. Is TVE paving the road to select the 2018 Spanish Eurovision act via this format?

The 2016 Eurovision Spanish representative visited the Operación Triunfo academy today and met up with the participants. She shared anecdotes about herself and her her musical career, and gave advice to the young hopefuls.

Experience and advice from Barei

Barei told the participants that they should always defend their rights and research when it comes to royalties, record companies and distributors. She went on to comment that it is beautiful to compose your own entries.

During the meet up, Barei revealed that she currently does not have a record company as she was before with Universal Music for a year, but parted ways as they had different goals.

Regarding Eurovision, Barei said that she is very grateful that she got the opportunity to go to Eurovision and that she doesn’t see her low placing in the contest as something negative. Millions of people got the chance to see her and discover her music during her 3 minute performance at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Thus Barei joins the grand list of former Spanish Eurovision representatives who have graced the music academy lately: Rosa, Nina, Manel Navarro and Ruth Lorenzo.

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.