From 1957 to 1977, HR was the German broadcaster that was responsible to choose the songs for the Eurovision Song Contest. That's why tonight, there will be a special show – Unser Lied für den Grand Prix / Our song for the Grand Prix – with the best German entries of that era, broadcast at 20:15 CET. Furthermore, the German national finals of 1971, 1973 and 1976 will be broadcast once again.

During the show, the most memorable moments of the various national finals will be shown along with new video material that was said to be lost. So far, only videos of the national finals from 1969 onwards are still available.

1971 / Ein Lied für Dublin

In 1971, Katja Ebstein, who won the national final the year before to achieve a third place in Amsterdam, sang all the six songs. The winner was chosen by a jury.

1973 / Ein Lied für Luxemburg

Two years later, there were six music acts, each of them performing two songs. Among the performers were Cindy & Bert who finished 2nd the year before as well as the later winner Gitte Haenning who already took part in the Danish final in 1963. Again, the winner was decided by a jury.

1976 / Ein Lied für Den Haag

The 1976 final saw a major scandal: for the first time, the winning song had to be disqualified because it had already been publically sung by a different singer. The selection method was different too: In a first show – which wasn't live (and neither was the singing) – the songs were presented and the audience could vote by sending a postcard. The winner was announced in a different show.