Malta to replace national selection with the X Factor

After not being able to qualify for the Eurovision's grand final twice in a row, Malta's official broadcaster - TVM - is ready to make a few changes in order to change that, starting with their own national selection.

Unlike last year, the broadcaster will not rely on MESC to select their representative. Instead it'll premiere the very first season of the Maltese X Factor and whoever wins gets a free ticket to represent the country at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

TVM: Next level for the entertainment industry

TVM announce on their website:

– One of the world’s most popular tv formats – The X Factor is coming to Malta

They promise a revolution for the country's music industry:

– The X Factor Malta is set to take the local entertainment industry to the next level.

On the same post, TVM announced that the show, owned by Syco Entertainment, will start being aired in October 2018.

The X Factor is responsible for some of today's biggest international acts such as One Direction, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, James Arthur or Leona Lewis.

Malta in Eurovision Song Contest

Malta debuted in Eurovision back in 1971 and has been in the contest 31 times since - without a victory. Best result is two runner-up's in 2002 (Ira Losco - "7th Wonder") and 2005 (Chiara - "Angel"). The worst result is three last places in 1971, 1972 and 2006.

Since the introduction of Semi-finals in 2004 Malta qualified for the Grand Final 8 out of 15 times.