Suspilne / UA:PBC, the Ukrainian public broadcaster, announced that it will host a National Selection process for Eurovision 2022, as well as taking care of the winning artist’s promotion, live Eurovision performance and live-on-tape backup.
This will be the first time in its existence that UA:PBC will have sole broadcasting rights for Ukraine’s National Final and Eurovision Song Contest preparations.
Last month, it was announced that their three-year contract with commercial network STB, which was responsible for the Vidbir National Final format since 2016, would not be renewed, due to creative differences and disagreement on future cooperation.
“Public service broadcasting is the largest independent media in Ukraine, which includes the national TV channels UA: PERSHY and UA: KULTURA and Public Radio channels (Ukrainian Radio, Radio Promin, Radio Kultura), as well as 24 regional TV and radio companies.”
(UA:PBC, 8 October 2021)
Some sources have stated that the proposed National Final will take the now-familiar guise of Vidbir, but the broadcaster itself is yet to release further details on the format, only stating that it must begin before 12th February 2022.
Submissions were opened yesterday and those willing to participate must fill in the catchy-titled “Registration for participation in the art competition for the production of audiovisual works for the project “Special project to ensure the coverage and participation of Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022“” document before 24th October 2021 (try saying that in one breath).
When it comes to Eurovision, Ukraine is, on paper, one of the most successful nations.
The stats are impressive. In 16 attempts, they have:
- Never failed to qualify for the Grand Final (the ONLY country existing in 2021 to have done so),
- Won twice (2004 – Wild Dances by Ruslana and 2016 – 1944 by Jamala),
- Come 2nd twice (2007 – Dancing Lasha Tumbai by Verka Serduchka and 2008 – Shady Lady by Ani Lorak),
- And 3rd once (2013 – Gravity by Zlata Ognevich).
Their most recent result was 5th at Eurovision 2021, when band Go_A (pictured above) took 364 points, including 267 to place 2nd with the televote, in the final with their Chernobyl-inspired folk rave song Shum (Шум).
They will be hoping their 2022 entrant, picked by the Suspilne / UA:PBC National Final, can continue this unblemished record, and possibly bring the Eastern Slavic nation a third win in 18 years.
