The Lithuanian broadcaster will repeat their formula of choosing their next Eurovision entry and performer in two separate lines of voting. LRT is now calling for submissions – singers and groups from Lithuania as well as composers – all of them can apply until the 15th December 2014. Only the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, or foreigners having a permit for permanent residence in Lithuania can participate in the Contest. Authors of songs don’t need to be the citizens of this country. No later than the 22nd December, a special-formed jury will check all submitted songs and pick 11 which will proceed to the internet voting.
LRT revealed already the whole schedule of their National Selection shows. Almost all parts of the show will be prerecorded approx. 4 days before airing on LRT. Below you can find everything you need to know about each episode:
- Episode 1: 3rd January – Introduction
All entries will perform non-competing songs by Lithuanian authors, in Lithuanian language. Jury and audience will vote, but none of the entries are to be eliminated from the Contest; results will add up with the results of the Second show.
- Episode 2: 10th January – World Hits
All participants will sing world hits. Jury and audience will vote, and these results will be added up with the results of the first show. The singer with least points will be eliminated.
- Episode 3: 17th January – Eurovision entries
For the first time performers will present songs submitted for Eurovision 2015. Two participants and two songs receiving the least number of points are going to be eliminated. Songs and performers are being voted for separately. If one singer gets eliminated, it shall not mean that the song performed by that singer is eliminated too. Results of the jury and internet voting for songs will be revealed after each episode on the website LRT.lt
- Episodes 4-6: 24th, 31st January and 7th February
Rules of next three episodes will be the same as in previous one. Two performers and two songs will be eliminated after separate votings of the jury and the audience.
- Episode 7: 14th February – Song Selection Final
After eliminations from the last four shows, only three performes will remain in. During the Song Selection Final each of the artists will perform the three remaining songs. After the audience and the jury vote, the winning song is going to be selected. None of the participants are going to be eliminated in this show. That will be first episode of the whole process with a live broadcast on LRT.
- Episode 8: 21st February – Singer Selection Final
The three finalists will perform the winning song. The winner of the national selection is going to be decided by a mix of audience and jury voting. In case there is a tie, and the performers receive an equal number of points, the jury’s vote shall be the deciding one. If the winner, regardless of the reasons, refuses to go to the Eurovision Song Contest, the jury will decide which of the other two finalists shall go to Vienna.
Even if on the 21st February Lithuania finally gets a song and singer for Eurovision, the audience can still follow LRT as two other Eurovision shows are planned. On the 28th of February (Episode 9) we will see the best performances from the whole show once again. On the 1st of March (Episode 10) a traditional Support Concert will be held in Vilnius where the Lithuanian entrant will perform the winning song in front of public. Participants which ranked 2-6th are obligated to take part in the concert as well, and LRT will air the concert live.
Official rules of this national selection as well as the application form (in Lithuanian and in English) can be found here.
