CyBC, the Cypriot national broadcaster has confirmed to ESCToday.com that it is planning to air a total of 10 live televised shows as part of its 2015 Eurovision national selection, with the grand final scheduled to be held by the end of January.

The Cypriot national broadcaster is back with a bang after a year of absence from the competition. Earlier today CYBC confirmed to ESCToday its participation at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest and released the rules and regulations for the 2015 Cypriot Eurovision National Selection and format.

CyBC’s provisional plan is to air a total of 10 live shows kicking off from mid- October until the end of January consisting of : 8 Semifinals, Second Chance, and the Grand Final (scheduled for the end of January). This is is the Cypriot broadcaster’s initial plan and is subject to change depending on the number of artists and entries that apply for the competition. As of today artists, composers and producers wishing to enter the competition can apply until 5 September.

The 10 live televised shows will be preceeded by a series of televised auditions, which will be aired on CyBC prior to the live televised shows. The 2015 Cypriot entry will be selected via 50/50 jury- televoting deliberation.

Cyprus has never won the Eurovision Song Contest, RIK is working round the clock in order to select the best entry and representative for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest, thus preparing a very exciting and interesting national selection. CyBC is determined to bring back the Eurovision trophy to Aphrodite’s Island for the very first time.

Only Cypriot citizens living in Cyprus or overseas or artists of Cypriot origin can participate in the competition. Submissions for artists and composers to submit their applications has kicked off as of today and will close on 5 September. Composers and lyricists can be from overseas and of any nationality as long as one of the team members of the creative team is a Cypriot. Each team can submit no more than 2 entries in the competition. You can find the rules and regulations here.

Cyprus debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981 with Island’s Monika and is yet to win Europe’s favourite television show. The Mediterranean island’s best placing at the contest has been a 5th placing in 1982, 1997, and 2004.

The last time Cyprus competed in the competion was in 2013 when Despina Olympiou represented Cyprus at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest with her entry An me thimase, failing to qualify to the final.

Stay tuned to ESCToday.com for the latest information on Cyprus, the 2015 Cypriot Eurovision national selection and the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest!