Following the press conference in Madrid today, the man in charge of Misión Eurovision and Spanish Head of Delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest, Federico Llano, spoke exclusively to esctoday.com about Spain's new selection show and their position at the Eurovision Song Contest.
In the last three years, Spain's fortunes at the Eurovision Song Contest have deteriorated. This has mirrored results for France, Germany and the United Kindgom, the other members of the competitions so-called 'Big Four'. We asked Mr. Llano – Being a part of the 'Big 4', i Is it a disadvantage for Spain?
“For us, it would be very difficult to broadcast the final if we are not participating, if we don't qualify, we are afraid that the audience figures would be so bad that we would have to withdraw the following year.
It’s a disadvantage if you are not in the semi-final because viewers get to know the qualifying songs better in the semi-final. It gives them a better chance to do well in the final. We need to decide between guaranteeing an audience and staying in the final, or going to the semifinal and risking non-qualification. This could be a disaster for Spain’s future at the contest.”
Asking about the new selection show, Misión Eurovision and how it compares to the 2002-4 show, OT, Mr. Llano told us:
“It’s a very different show! Of course this year, we are able to broadcast several essential shows for many weeks in the winter-time. This is better for promoting the contest. It’s not a reality show. This is a professional show with professional singers, there won’t be amateur or unknown singers, we are receiving proposals from professional and well known singers. They will perform every week, but they will not be living in a house or excluded from their normal routines".
Talking about interest in Misión Eurovision and today's press confence esctoday.com was told:
"It went very well. There was lots of interest and all the most important Spanish media were present. We also had visitors from local internet sites".
Explaining why news about Misión Eurovision leaked out last week and what chages have been made since, Mr. Llano explained:
"The rules were not finalised, but were nearly done. The technical people were preparing the rules for the website, but it was not supposed to be published until finalised and until the press conference. Only minor changes have been made since then."
esctoday.com would like to thank Federico Llano for speaking to us today and wish him luck and success with Misión Eurovision.
