Ukraine: Serhiy Prytula to host 2018 national selection

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 1,153 views

Ukrainian broadcaster STB has announced today that Serhiy Prytula will host the 2018 Ukrainian Eurovision national selection.

Serhiy Prytula will be hosting the Ukrainian national selection for the second time, having hosted this year’s Ukrainian Eurovision national selection. The 2018 Ukrainian national selection will be once again co organized by UA:PBC and STB.

Ms. Natalya Franchuk (Head of National Selection STB) says:

I think that the choice of the host will not raise any questions, Serhiy is the public’s favorite and a great professional, watching him conducting the show and communicating with the participants will be an incredible pleasure. We are glad that our selections will again be filled with Pritula’s high-quality humor.

Serhiy Pritula says:

I would like the same competitive set of performers as in the previous two years, when in each semifinal 3 candidates were immediately eligible for a ticket to Eurovision. I honestly have an internal conflict. On the one hand, I want more young bands, different music genres (like this year Monochromea, AGHIAZMA, Panivalkova and Vivienne Mort ), but on the other hand you understand that Eurovision is still a pop contest, and we must focus on selecting quality pop music.

About the 2018 Ukrainian national selection

The 2018 Ukrainian Eurovision national selection will consist of a total of 3 shows (2 semi-finals and grand final). All 3 shows will be aired simultaneously on STB and UA:PBC’s Channel 1.

  • 10/02: Semi-final 1
  • 17/02: Semi-final 2
  • 24/02: Grand Final

STB has released the details for the national selection. The submission period for artists to submit their entries in their quest to represent Ukraine at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest opened on 10 October and will conclude on 15 January 2018. Artists wishing to compete in the national selection can submit their entries and register here. You can find the rules and details for the 2018 Ukrainian national selection here.

The names of the jury members are yet to be revealed. Ruslan Kvinta has been appointed as the music producer of the Ukrainian national selection.

The national selection will consist of 2 stages:

  • 1st Stage – Will consist of auditions in various Ukrainian cities
  • 2nd Stage – Will consist of 3 televised shows with circa 14-20 acts battling in the semi-finals

The 2018 Ukrainian Eurovision entry and act will be determined by a mixed jury/public televoting deliberation.

Ukraine in Eurovision

Ukraine debuted in Eurovision in 2003 and has won the competition twice (2004 – Ruslana and 2016 – Jamala).

The country is amongst the most successful countries in the contest and has never missed a Eurovision Grand Final since its debut, with the exception of 2015 when the country Ukraine withdrew from the contest. Ukraine has achieved a total of 9 Top 10 placings in its 14 year history in the event.

In 2017, O.Torvald represented Ukraine on home soil with their entry Time, achieving a 24th place in the Grand Final.