'TVE and Gestmusic to reach compromise'

by roel 70 views

El Periódico today announced that Spanish broadcaster TVE and Gestmusic, producer of the Operación Trinufo format, are about to reach a compromise for a fourth edition of the format in which the last three Spanish representatives for the Eurovision Song Contest have been selected.

According to El Periódico, Operación Triunfo 4 will start in January in a much shorter version than the previous years, a decision based on two reasons. A shorter version should not only reduce the high costs of the format but as well make an end to the descending viewing figures of the Spanish preselections for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2001, Operación Triunfo 1 attracted an average of 6.767.000 viewers. This year Operación Triunfo 3 only reached half of that amount (3.429.000 viewers).

On top of that all, TVE has been criticized a lot by the Spanish record companies. They accused TVE of making a mess of the Spanish music market, especially at Christmas time, when Operación Triunfo singers and songs with a lot of commercial impact but hardly any quality ran away with all success in spite of all efforts made by many real professionals.

According to El Periódico, Operación Triunfo 4 will also directly select the Spanish representative for Kiev. The last three years, separate galas have been organised after the proper Operación Triunfo contest to select the song and singer to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest.