The BBC have confirmed today that they will be holding its ‘biggest song search ever’ to find the UK’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

There’s an open call for submissions, which can be made by e-mailing the BBC, and the broadcaster will be working alongside the UK Eurovision fan club, OGAE UK, and the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) in order to select the entry.

BASCA will hold a song writing competition amongst its members, whilst a branch of the OGAE will help shortlist the entries that will be put to the public vote.

Once that shortlist is announced, the public and an expert panel will decide who gets to represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

Alasdair Rendall, president of OGAE UK expressed his delight at the group’s opportunity to be involved with the process.

It’s a massive honour – and very exciting – for OGAE members to be given a key role in helping to choose the UK’s entry for Eurovision 2016. Eurovision fans are never backwards in coming forwards about their thoughts on the UK’s performance at the world’s greatest music competition, so I’mreally excited about the opportunity this offers us to help find the right song to fly the flag for the UK in Stockholm next year.

Furthermore, the BBC will be consulting with music industry experts, ranging from producers and record labels, in the process.

The closing date to submit songs is on 20 November, and no date has been given for when a shortlist will be announced or when the vote will take place.

In a press release, BBC host and Eurovision Song Contest commentator said that the approach the broadcaster is taking for 2016 shows their intent,

Eurovision is one of the highlights of my year and I love the fact that the BBC is launching its biggest song search ever. I think it really shows that they take the competition seriously and the fact that the public will get the final say on who is sent to represent the UK in Stockholm next year is the icing on the cake!

 

Earlier this year, Electro Velvet was internally chosen to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

As a member of the big five, they automatically gained a place in the grand final. In the final, their song Still in love with you picked up five points and finished 24^th.

Stay tuned to ESCToday for all the latest news from the Eurovision Song Contest 2016!