Despite of the cancelation the Eurovision Song Contest will celebrated in a different way. The Austrian broadcaster ORF has invented the “Der kleine Song Contest” – TV format where the video clips have been presented and be judged afterwards by former Austrian participants.

Despite of the cancelation the Eurovision Song Contest will celebrated in a different way. The Austrian broadcaster ORF has invented the “Der kleine Song Contest” – TV format where the video clips have been presented and be judged afterwards by former Austrian participants.

The jury consisted of Alf Poier “Weil Der Mensch Zählt” (6th place, Riga 2003), Cesár Sampson “Nobody But You” (3rd place, Lisbon 2018), Conchita “Rise Like A Phoenix” (1st place, Copenhagen 2014), Eric Papilaya “Get A Life – Get Alive” (27th rank, Semi Final, Helsinki 2007), Manuel Ortega “Say A Word” (18th place, Tallinn 2002), Nadine Beiler “The Secret Is Love” (18th place, Düsseldorf 2011), Petra Frey “Für Den Frieden Der Welt” (17th place, Dublin 1994), Simone “Keine Mauern Mehr” (10th place, Zagreb 1990), Waterloo from Waterloo & Robinson “My Little World” (5th place, The Hague 1976) and Zoë “Loin d'ici” (13th place, Stockholm 2016).

The show has been hosted by the popular radio presenter at Ö3 Andi Knoll, also known as “Mr Song Contest” in Austria. He has been commentating the ESC since years for the Austrian television.

Within three shows in ORF1 at prime time all the participating entries of this year have been presented in full length with various comments from different people and Andy Knoll himself as well as the jury. In each show there have been a daily winner and in the final show the public was able to vote for the Austrian favourite. Out of the finalists: Iceland, Malta and Austria the Austrians declared Daði & Gagnamagnið with “Think About Things” for Iceland as the favourite 2020.

It’s still unclear if Daði & Gagnamagnið will be send again for Iceland 2021.

The show is in German only and can be re-watched on the ORF homepage until further notice.

This special show was a lovely idea to get the Austrians into Eurovision mood, even if the ESC has been cancelled this year. It’s still interesting to see which songs would have had chances. In other countries the “Preview Shows” have been celebrated as well, but not every country is showing all the ESC songs on television. But this should encourage other broadcasters.

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!