Germany: Free European Song Contest to return in 2021

Saturday 16 May, viewers had a difference Eurovision Song Contest experience after this year's cancellation due to COVID-19. A replacement show of Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light took place and honoured the 2020 artists and their entries.

Germany took a different approach to this cancellation. They held not one but two alternative Eurovision Song Contests. Eurovision Song Contest 2020: Das deutsche Finale invited viewers to vote for their 2020 winner from the 41 participants that were due to participate in Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam. The second show that Germany aired for the first time was Free European Song Contest 2020.

After the success of the first edition, ProSieben made an official announcement that The Free European Song Contest will return in 2021 via Twitter.

The Head of the channel, Daniel Rosemann stated the following during the official announcement:

- You always start up forever. The first Free European Song Contest was outstanding. We look forward to the second Free European Song Contest in 2021.

The 2020 edition was won by Spain, represented by Nico Santos with the song "Like I Love You"

Free European Song Contest - The Results

1. Spain: Nico Santos – "Like I Love You" (104 points)
2. Netherlands: Ilse DeLange – "Changes" (88 points)
3. The Moon: Der Astronaut – "Back to the Moon" (85 points)
4. Germany: Helge Schneider – "Forever at Home" (76 points)
5. Israel: Gil Ofarim – "Alles auf Hoffnung" (75 points)
6. Turkey Eko Fresh feat. Umut Timur – "Günaydin" (71 points)
7. Switzerland: Stefanie Heinzmann – "All We Need Is Love" (66 points)
8. Bulgaria: Oonagh – "Du bist genug" (62 points)
9. Croatia: Vanessa Mai – "Highlight (Ti si moja snaga)" (55 points)
10. Ireland: Sion Hill – "Speak Up" (53 points)
11. Poland: Glasperlenspiel – "Immer da" (46 points)
12. United Kingdom: Kelvin Jones – "Friends" (45 points)
13. Italy: Sarah Lombardi – "Te amo mi amor" (37 points)
14. Kazakhstan: Mike Singer – "Paranoid" (23 points)
15. Austria: Josh – "Wo bist du" (22 points)
16. Denmark: Kate Hall – "Reset" (20 points)

Free European Song Contest - The Show

The Free European Song Contest followed the Eurovision main concept with different countries being represented, new artists, new songs and a winner determined by national juries and the public from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Each of the participating countries will award 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points. The German, Austrian and Swiss viewers can vote on their favorit songs via televoting. The points from the other countries will be decided by national juries.

The show was presented by Conchita Wurst (Austria 2014) and TV host Steven Gätjen.