This morning, the Swiss national broadcaster SRF has opened submissions for the country’s upcoming national selection for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.
Starting from 8:00 CEST today, artists and acts wanting to compete in the Swiss national selection for the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest will be able to submit their applications to the country’s national broadcaster with the chance of competing in Switzerland’s 2017 national selection.
Changes to selection process
Following 2 years of non-qualification for Switzerland at the competition, SRF has decided to make a number of changes to this year’s Swiss national selection process.
Previously, each of the Swiss national broadcasters (SRF/RTR, RTS and RSI) would select an allocated number of entries each for the final; 3 entries from SRF/RTR, 2 entries from RTS and 1 entry from RSI. However for 2017, the broadcasters will join forces in order to select each of their year’s bidding entries, disregarding a certain number of entries per region.
Over the past number of years, SRF/RTR would select their entries for the competition via an online platform where artists from all over the world could submit their entries for the selection. But following a revamp for 2017, at least one member of the bidding entries must have a link to Switzerland. This Swiss member can either be the performer, the lyricist or the composer of the entry.
Following the closure of submissions, a slight change to the selection procedure will see a 20-member jury panel made up of producers, music industry representatives, musicians and journalists will shortlist a total of 20 entries to compete in the Live Check stage of the selection, who will then be judged on their live performance, voice quality and stage presence.
Six to ten entries will be chosen from the Live Check to compete in the final of the selection on the 5 February 2017. The Swiss representative for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest will be decided 100% via a public televote.
A full set of rules and regulations can be found via SRF’s official website, as well as the national selection online submission form. Submissions will close at 8:00 CEST on the 24 October.
Canadian-Swiss artist Rykka was selected to represent Switzerland at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. With her entry The last of our kind, Rykka compete in the second semi-final where she received a total of 28 points, ending in 18th position.