The German entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens is going to be selected in a televised final on Thursday, 9 March 2006, as broadcaster NDR said today on its official Eurovision homepage. There may still be the possibilty of an internal selection, should the quality of the submitted songs be too low. Dr. Jan Schulte-Kellinghaus was introduced as the new German Head of Delegation.

Dr. Jan Schulte-Kellinghaus, head of the department for talkshows and entertainment at NDR television and the responsible person for the German participation in the Eurovision Song Contest today made the following announcement on eurovision.de, NDR's official Eurovision homepage:

“Germany will take part in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. We are planning for a national final on 9 March 2006. This however depends upon the question if we will be able to find contestants who are attractive enough. Should this not be the case, we will have to find another way to designate the German Eurovision representative.”

Unlike in earlier years, when the liability for the national final entrys were more or less laid into the hands of the bigger German record companies, this year NDR emphasizes that an internal comitee of ARD heads of entertainment will decide about possible entrants to the national final. “The focus will be put on the chances for international success and a high show acceptance. NDR reserves the right to abstain from a national final in 2006, should the submissions be of non-satisfying quality.” Schulte-Kellinghaus pointed out that the national final will “concentrate on German musicians with an international potential. This rules out any beginners and cheap jokes as well as a return to the German Schlager tradition.”

A final decision about wheter a televised final will be held or an internal selection will be used is expected for mid-December.

UPDATE: According to Verena Kulenkampff of ARD's entertainment department, only three participants are scheduled to take part in the German selection for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Last week, Dutch broadcaster NOS also announced a new format with three participants.