Germany announces pre-selection: Ich will zum ESC!
15 unknown artists will be competing for the honor of taking part in Germany's national selection, Das deutsche Finale 2024. The pre-selection show will have six episodes and will feature Conchita Wurst as a mentor
Back in September, Germany's Eurovision broadcaster – NDR – announced the national selection show "Das deutsche Finale 2024" in order to determine the artist and song that will go on to represent the nation in Malmö.
While that's still in the plans, the broadcaster has prepared a pre-selection contest: "Ich will zum ESC!" (in English: I want to go to ESC!). In this competition, 15 unknown artists will be going head-to-head hoping to get a place in "Das deutsche Finale 2024," which will be held on 16 February.
Conchita Wurst (Austria 2014) will mentor the acts along with Rea Garvey, an Irish singer. Starting on 25 January, "Ich will zum ESC!" will feature six episodes with a live show to be held on 8 February where the two finalists will sing their potential Eurovision entry, and the public will decide who gets the shot on the main national selection show.
The episodes will be available in the broadcaster's media library from 25 January 2024 onwards.
Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest
Germany is a grand old country in the Eurovision Song Contest. They have participated 66 times since the beginning in 1956.
The only year Germany didn't participate was in 1996. Prior to the competition in 1996, 30 countries had signed up for participation, so the EBU had to make a selection. Judges from the participating countries made a secret vote, where the top-22 songs qualified. During this vote, the judges only listened to, but didn't watch, the contestants. This turned out to be highly unpopular, and it was also the only time this method was used. The result of the vote was that Germany was ruled out. This was the first and only time Germany didn't participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Germany's best results are two victories: in 1982 (Nicole - "Ein Bißchen Frieden") and 2010 (Lena - "Satellite"). Their worst results are nine last place finishes. Germany is a member of the "Big-5," which means they don't have to go through the Semi-final round and are automatically qualified for the Grand Final. They are also a member of "Club Nul Points," with zero points in 1964, 1965 and 2015.
