ProSieben is organizing a replacement event due to the ESC cancellation - TV grandmaster Stefan Raab is the doer. Could he be competing for Germany? The field of participants is slowly filling up.
- The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was canceled due to the corona crisis.
- The broadcaster ProSieben now brings a "Free ESC" as a replacement - we offer you the live ticker.
- The initiator is Stefan Raab, who made a remarkable statement about the German candidate .
- There is more on this topic and many other exciting stories in our app.
Update from May 15th, 2020, 9:15 pm: The good news in these Corona times: Instead of an ESC , there will be two ESC replacements on TV on Saturday. A TV battle of the stations , because with his show "Free ESC" Stefan Raab gets competition from the traditional ESC channel ARD . In advance, the ARD versus Pro7 and Raab delivered a violent exchange of blows.
#FreeESC 2020 in the TV duel: "Beat the Raab" with a difference
The reason: As reported by bild.de , Raab should help shape the ARD show . Incidentally, it is now called: "Eurovision Song Contest 2020 - the German finale live from the Elbphilharmonie" . The "winner of the heart" is chosen . The ten candidates come from the official ESC competition and were selected via online voting, moderated by Barbara Schöneberger . - And not Raab, as originally planned.
ARD entertainment coordinator and ESC chief Thomas Schreiber initially only commented on his own alternative program to bild.de : the day after the ESC's cancellation by the European Broadcasting Union, he sent an alternative concept for a 'Eurovision Song Contest 2020' - however have not found a majority in Europe . That is the reason for the ultimately smaller number of candidates.
#FreeESC 2020: Violent exchange of blows between and Raab
But also for Raabs jumping off? According to bild.de, Schreiber teases Pro7 : "It is a nice idea for musicians in these Corona times, unfortunately on the wrong day of broadcasting , so we give it away."
Pro7 spokesman Christoph Körfer counters according to bild.de : "On Saturday there will only be one competition in which a musician for Germany will compete ." - In fact, the ARD format does not include the German candidates.
And Stefan Raab is said to have said: “This is the hour of birth of a new, free European song competition . The birth of the 'Free European Song Contest'. ”Clear words, which bild.de comments smugly: That should probably mean that Raab did not feel free at the ARD. Ten "official" candidates including Barbara Schöneberger and Elbphilharmonie against crowd puller Raab with Conchita Wurst and a surprise candidate for Germany - whether the ARD can beat the Raab?
#FreeESC 2020: Raab is fueling speculation about candidates for Germany
Update from May 15th, 2020, 3:10 pm: 14 of the 15 stars who will compete in the "Free ESC" have already been determined. These include greats such as Stefanie Heinzmann, Ilse DeLange, Glasperlenspiel or Nico Santos. Only Germany's candidate remains a secret. Stefan Raab fueled the speculation by announcing a "legend".
A Twitter user then had a fun idea. How about the Wendler? On Twitter he posted a video of a Wendler appearance with the comment: "He could also compete for any country". A steep template for ProSieben. "For Egalistan?", The broadcaster fooled the "Egal" singer.
For Egalistan? #FreeESC https://t.co/baiVBgdfOk
- ProSieben (@ProSieben) May 14, 2020On the evening of May 16, we will of course not only keep you informed about who is the winner of the "Free ESC". You can also find out from us who won the German ESC final.
#FreeESC 2020: First artists known for show - well-known musicians
Update from May 14th, 2020, 9:13 pm: After Stefan Raab didn't act the sloth in "The Masked Singer" (see below), there are high hopes that the former TV entertainer will be part of the " Free ESC " becomes. While such speculation shoots into the grass, many other well-known musicians will put their hands on the handle at the musical event .
Other singing artists have announced their participation in the event organized by Raab via Instagram. On the one hand there is the duo Glasperlenspiel , which will start for Poland:
Check out this post on Instagram
✨ ✨ Guys, we are happy to announce that we are going to race at the #FreeESC for Poland on Saturday. It will be MEGA !!! ❤️❤️❤️ @prosieben @therealstefanraab @stevengaetjen @conchitawurst #immerda #glasperlenspiel
A post shared by Glasperlenspiel (@gpsmusik) on May 14, 2020 at 4:19 pm PDT
#FreeESC 2020: Ofarim starts for Israel - Heinzmann with Facebook retreat
The country of Israel will also be part of the music competition in Cologne on Saturday, May 16. Whoever represents the colors of the Mediterranean country is also certain: Gil Ofarim has also announced on social media that he will compete for his "second home":
Check out this post on Instagram
... SHALOM! .. Cologne is calling! .. on Saturday I will start for my 2nd home "Israel"! .. I am very happy and count on you! .. thank you! .. #all hope #freeesc # gilofarim
A post shared by Gil Ofarim (@gilofarim) on May 14, 2020 at 4:40 pm PDT
Another candidate who is likely to take part in the TV format that many ESC fans long for is Stefanie Heinzmann . This would also clarify the question of the representative in Switzerland, but there is currently no confirmation for this: Heinzmann replaced her profile picture on Facebook with the logo of the #FreeESC - including the date ( May 16, 2020 ). However, she undid it shortly thereafter, so that only the conjecture remains that the artist once made known by Stefan Raab is actually starting in Cologne.
"Free ESC": First candidates announced - Rumor about Stefan Raab gets new food
Update from May 14th, 2020, 11.09am : What can ProSieben viewers expect on Saturday evening for the big premiere of the " Free ESC" ? After the official Eurovision Song Contest had to be canceled this year due to the corona pandemic to disappoint music fans, the broadcaster launched its own version of the European singing competition (see below) and has now announced further details in a digital press conference .
With regard to the emergence of the new TV format, ProSieben confirms that it was actually the channel veteran Stefan Raab , who with a "big idea" that "unites Europe, celebrates music and will also be a great show" with his former colleagues called. "Stefan can do big shows, we can do big shows," press director Daniel Rosemann is sure and praises how quickly they were "fired up" by the idea of the former entertainer.
What do you think Stefan Raab has planned for his “Free ESC”? The participating countries are already fixed.
© dpa / Jörg Carstensen
This does not have to remain a singular spectacle. So Rosemann emphasizes again that this year they would “found” the “Free ESC”, which is not something that is done once, but usually “forever ”. A precise program planning for the next few years is not yet available, but after a successful premiere of the “Free ESC”, the ProSieben boss wants to think about how the format will continue in the near future.
"Free ESC" 2020: These celebrities can be seen against each other at Stefan Raab's ProSieben music competition
For the premiere of the "Free ESC" next Saturday, however, first details could already be mentioned in the pre-press conference . The moderators of the show, Conchita Wurst and Steven Gätjen, have already announced the first candidates who will compete for the different European countries. All of them were not chosen arbitrarily, but would have a certain connection with the respective nations, be it through birth, citizenship or because the parents came from there.
For example, Sarah Lombardi , whose mother is Italian, will compete for Italy, while Vanessa Mai for Croatia or Eko Fresh with Umut Timur for Turkey. Austria and Great Britain are also represented with Josh and Kelvin Jones, respectively, while Mike Singer , after having just done it with "The Masked Singer", will now be back on the ProSieben stage - this time not in a Wuschel costume, but under the flag of Kazakhstan, where his parents originally came from.
For Ireland there are also Sion Hill and Oonagh for Bulgaria. What exactly they are singing has not yet been revealed, though it should not be exclusively world premieres, but also not evergreens. Nor was there any information in advance about the remaining participants in the first “Free ESC”. They wanted to cover the producers of the ProSieben song competition in a cloak of silence, because that increases the anticipation.
"Free ESC" (ProSieben): Is Stefan Raab celebrating his big TV comeback with his variant of the European song competition?
Likewise, the question of whether Stefan Raab in as the inventor of the “ Free ESC” would also celebrate his brilliant return to German television was also neglected. Speculations about a soon reunion with the entertainer in retirement quickly became loud and also before and during the press conference, among other things, with the announcement that a "legend" was going to emerge for Germany.
It is precisely behind this that many suspect the great TV comeback of ProSieben icon Stefan Raab, who had actually withdrawn from the show business years ago. So far, the broadcaster has neither confirmed nor ruled out whether the viewers will actually be able to see the big stage again with the words "everything can, nothing has to be done".
What is already certain, however, is that ex-spice girl Mel C or ex-international Lukas Podolski , for example , will help with the awarding of points to the European participating countries. However, if you want to know how many points you will have to award or whether Stefan Raab will actually make his way back to the German living room in person, you have to switch on on May 16 at 8:15 p.m. when ProSieben receives the “Free ESC “Broadcasts live on TV and on Joyn.
Conchita Wurst and Steven Gätjen host the #FreeESC.
© dpa / ProSieben, Morianz, Müller
Update from May 14th, 2020, 9:41 am: There is currently a lot of speculation as to the “Free ESC”: Not only that the replacement program for the “Eurovision Song Contest”, which was canceled due to the corona pandemic, should be based on an idea by Stefan Raab at the same time rumors are circulating that the entertainer in retirement could celebrate his big TV comeback in the equivalent of the European singing competition. But will fans soon see the popular moderator in front of the camera again? And who should stand next to him for his country on stage? In fact, many questions regarding the “Free ESC” are still unanswered. This could soon change, at least for some of it, because ProSieben has already announced a digital press conference in which the broadcaster wants to “provide information about everything worth knowing about the 'FREE EUROPEAN SONG CONTEST'”. We will of course listen to you very carefully.
Update from May 13th: In a few days the “ Free ESC ” at ProSieben will replace the canceled “ Eurovison Song Contest ”. Stefan Raab is the creator of the program . In an interview with the broadcaster, he has now given more details about the show. Footballer Lukas Podolski, for example, will announce the points for Poland, for Ireland Angelo Kelly.
But the burning question is, of course, who will compete for Germany? Raab didn't look at the cards, but his answer caught his eye. "Only this much: For Germany there is a real legend that outshines all previous German participants in European music competitions artistically and character. He also looks incredibly good. Let yourself be surprised ... “, he said and prepared new breeding ground for speculation.
Free ESC: Will Stefan Raab compete for Germany?
The fans' hope that the popular entertainer could moderate the show was shattered when Conchita Wurst and Stefan Gätjen were announced as a duo of moderators. But has he possibly brought himself into play as a candidate for Germany? Fans of Raab would have loved to see his comeback on “The Masked Singer”. Could the former "TV Total " presenter be back on stage at the " Free ESC "? The candidate's description would suit him.
"Free ESC": Stefan Raab brings replacement for canceled "Eurovision Song Contest" - all details
Update from May 5, 2020: The savior of the ESC that failed due to Corona in May this year is Stefan Raab . With his “Free ESC” he wants to prepare a worthy replacement for the popular music event. With the announcement of the two moderators Chonchita Wurst and Stefan Gätjen , the first speculations about the surprise show were already cleared - after all, some fans had hoped that Raab would even swing the mic in his hand.
ProSieben now revealed which countries will take part in the contest. Prominent musicians for more than 15 European countries will compete on the show. Of course, these include the usual suspects: Croatia , Israel , Turkey , Denmark , Switzerland , Great Britain , Austria , Netherlands , Germany , Spain , Poland , Bulgaria , Italy , Ireland and Kazakhstan . The musicians will sing points for their respective home country on a show stage in Cologne.
ProSieben will then switch to the individual countries to award points for the “Free ESC”. The moderators are at least as ignorant and excited as the audience: “Will it be pop, heavy metal, rap or something completely different? I'm looking forward to an incredibly colorful evening full of surprises, ”says Gätjen.
"Free ESC" 2020 at ProSieben: Well-known ESC champion moderates Stefan Raab's TV hit
Update from April 15, 2020: Stefan Raab is known to save the ESC canceled due to Corona ( see first report ). The entertainer organized the replacement competition "Free ESC", on which further details have now been released.
Drag Queen Conchita Wurst and moderator Steven Gätjen present the show, as ProSieben announced on Wednesday: “Conchita and Steven are the perfect choice for a big, musical evening. Conchita impressed millions of people with its ESC appearance and won the contest, ”said ProSieben boss Daniel Rosemann. "Nobody stands better for this European, musical idea."
The "Free European Song Contest" is scheduled for May 16 . That would have been the date of the ESC originally. According to ProSieben, “prominent musicians live in succession on the largest international stage of the evening” in the studio in Cologne for the country of origin. In the end, the spectators award points and choose the first winner. Raab wants to produce the show.
The artist Thomas Neuwirth , who became known as Drag Queen Conchita Wurst , won the ESC 2014 for Austria. Steven Gätjen is an experienced show host and has worked with Stefan Raab for many years. Among other things, he presented the Raab show "Beat the Raab". The cult entertainer himself could meanwhile make his big comeback * at "The Masked Singer".
ESC 2020 canceled: Stefan Raab steps in with the "Free ESC"
First announcement from March 31, 2020: Cologne - Like so many events, the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam was canceled due to the corona crisis . It should have taken place in mid-May.
The organizer, the "European Broadcasting Union" , announced two weeks ago that the competition would not take place: "We are very sorry to announce the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam . In the past few weeks we have talked about many alternatives on how to proceed with the ESC . ”The event could not go as planned.
Even if everyone can understand the rejection, the disappointment is great. The ARD coordinator responsible for the German contribution, Thomas Schreiber, said: “As disappointing as it is for everyone involved, for all artists and all viewers in Europe and Australia, the same also applies to the ESC : the health of everyone must be the primary goal. "
ProSieben organizes ESC replacement program "FREE EUROPEAN SONG CONTEST" - Stefan Raab with it
But now there is a new hammer message that will warm the hearts of ECS fans . The German TV broadcaster ProSieben is planning a replacement program. The new, free European song competition " FREE EUROPEAN SONG CONTEST" will take place on May 16th .
++++ EIL +++ Stefan #Raab and ProSieben launch a new, free European song competition: The “FREE EUROPEAN SONG CONTEST” will take place on Saturday, May 16, @ProSieben. Live. #FreeESC. All information: https://t.co/l7j6gsYbd4
- ProSieben (@ProSieben) March 31, 2020The initiator of the new show is none other than the German TV entertainer Stefan Raab , who has always done well for the ESC. The former TV total moderator explains: “Music connects many people to one another, especially in difficult times. This is the birth of a new, free European song competition. This is the birth of the 'FREE EUROPEAN SONG CONTEST' . "
Bad luck for Raab and ProSieben: The ESC organizers have also come up with an alternative program. Your show "Europe Shine a Light" will be broadcast on TV and live stream * on the same evening. The ARD broadcasts “World Wide Living Room - the ESC Semifinals 2020” * a week in advance. The viewers can be on TV or live stream *. The "Free ESC" has tough competition.
"Free ESC": "And 12 points go to ..." This is how points are awarded across Europe
ProSieben goes live this evening to all participating countries to award points for the "Free ESC" . The moderator duo Conchita Wurst and Steven Gätjen then speak live to all participating countries. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, ProSieben viewers vote via phone and SMS. The awarding of points from the other countries is decided by their national juries.
Points are awarded according to the traditional ESC mode (1 to 8, 10 and 12 points). Calls and SMS are converted into points. The artist with the highest total number of points will be chosen by Europe as the winner of the first “ Free European Song Contest” . As with the original ESC, you cannot vote for your own country.
Stefan Raab before comeback with the "Free ESC"
The entertainer has been retired since 2015 and has not appeared in front of the camera since then. It is currently suspected that he could be one of the candidates for the ProSieben show "The Masked Singer" *. However, this was also postponed due to the corona virus. Maybe that's why he now has the time to take care of the new “Free ESC” project.
ProSieben does not reveal whether he will be watching in front of the camera again or only pulling the strings in the background . However, a comeback by Raab would put a smile on one or the other's lips in these difficult times. If not now then when? In the press release, he himself reveals his motives: “Special challenges need special solutions. This evening Europe comes together in a special, unique way. "
Also ProSieben CEO Daniel Rose man is excited about the new show idea, which now, however, also facing stiff competition from the ARD: "Stefan Raab loves music. Stefan Raab loves the "Eurovision Song Contest": All information about the German finale from the Elbphilharmonie European idea. We are excited about the great opportunity to live and celebrate Europe in these times with a new music competition. We look forward to the 'FREE EUROPEAN SONG CONTEST' . "
The broadcaster assures that it will meet all legal requirements and the requirements of the health authorities due to the corona crisis .
Stefan Raab and ARD: explosive negotiation on ESC replacement show is now coming out.
Stefan Raab's “Free European Song Contest” is available on ProSieben and in the stream.
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* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Jörg Carstensen
