RSI, the Swiss Italian broadcaster has informed esctoday.com that the date for their forthcoming Eurovision 2014 RSI internal selection has been changed to November 13. Initially the internal selection was scheduled to be held on Novemeber 12.

RSI has confirmed to esctoday.com that it has received aproximately 20 entries for its internal selection. A special external jury composed by musicians and professionals from the music industry ( all of whom are independent from RSI and are not linked to the Swiss Italian broadcaster) will have the responsibility of selecting a total of 3 entries which will qualify for the first round of the 2014 Swiss Eurovision national selection, the live audition which is scheduled to be held in Zurich on November 30.

NEW SELECTION MODE

The 9 best candidates from the internet platform of SRF / RTR selection +6 candidates of RTS  (via an internal selection)+3 candidates from RSI (via an internal selection) will present their song live in front of a panel of experts. Hence a total of 18 candidates will be go through an audition enfront of a special jury. They will all have to showcase their vocal and singing skills live along with their stage presence.

The 3 best performers from SRF+ 2 best performers from RTS +the  best performer from RSI  will qualify to compete at the 2014 Swiss Eurovision National Final which will be held on 1 February 2014 in Kreuzlingen.  A total of 6 acts will fight for the golden ticket to Denmark, each act will have to peform 2 songs ( their respective Eurovision entry + a cover version of a song) in order to showcase their talent and vocal skills to the Swiss audience.

Takasa  represented Switzerland at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo with You and Me.  Takasa failed to qualify to the grand final in Malmo.

Switzerland is one of the founder members of the Eurovision Song Contest, having hosted the very first edition in Lugano in 1956 and winning the very first grand prix with Lys Assia‘s Refrain on home ground. The Helvetic nation has won the event 2 times in 1956 with Lys Assia and in 1988 with Celine Dion’s Ne partez pas sans moi.