On May 13, the 2023 ESC Grand Final will take place in Liverpool. Germany is part of it in the form of Lord of the Lost. But why doesn't the semi-finals have to be played?
Hamburg/Liverpool – The grand ESC final 2023 in Liverpool is getting closer and closer. With Lord of the Lost, Germany will be represented at this year's Eurovision Song Contest by a dark rock band from Hamburg. The musical quintet can already be sure of one thing: participation in the live show on May 13th.
In contrast to many other countries, which compete year after year to qualify for the final, Germany has always secured its place in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. "Blood & Glitter", the final song of Lord of the Lost, will definitely be announced by commentator legend Peter Urban, who will quit his ESC service after 2023. But why is Germany always automatically qualified for the ESC final? A look at the history of the Big Five provides answers.
+Germany is part of the Big Five of the ESC - and thus automatically qualified for the final in Liverpool on May 13, 2023. This year, the Federal Republic of Germany will be represented by Lord of the Lost.
© Marc John/imago
ESC 2023: Germany with Lord of the Lost safely in the final - due to ESC failure 27 years ago
"Planet of Blue" was the name of the song by pop singer Leon, with which Germany wanted to participate in the ESC 1996 in Norway. However, in the qualifying round before the final and thus in the jury vote, the singer could not prevail. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the early failure of the ESC led to a great deal of anger. The ARD even refused to broadcast the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 – and unceremoniously postponed it to the third program of the NDR.
+Schlager singer Leon wanted to represent Germany at the ESC 1996. However, it failed before the final – and the idea of the Big Five at the Eurovision Song Contest was born.
© Markus Beck/dpa/Archivbild
But Norwegian television, in the form of the NRK television station, was also beside itself. After all, "the sponsors recruited by Norwegian television had complained" because the German viewers would be missing on the final evening, according to the official ESC page of ARD. As a result, Norwegian television was to call for a regulation with far-reaching consequences: five countries should no longer have to play in the ESC semi-finals. This affected France, Italy, Great Britain, Spain – and Germany. "Born" were the Big Five.
Thanks to the Big Five regulation: Lord of the Lost will be allowed to perform directly in the ESC final in 2023
No matter what musical quality Germany has had at the ESC since then, a place in the grand final was always assured. At the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Lord of the Lost will benefit from this, who will sometimes show themselves in a casual look free of vanity.
Without the Big Five, there would be "a significant drop in the Eurovisionary crowd" at the final show, according to eurovision.de. Countries that fall by the wayside in the ESC semi-finals would broadcast the final. But the quota without its own participant is rather poor.
As part of the Big Five, Germany automatically qualified for the final of the ESC – not always an advantage
Is it even an advantage to be seeded like the Big Five every time for the ESC final – which will be hosted by a "Game of Thrones" star, among others in 2023? Not necessarily. Since the ESC 2008 in Belgrade, the balance sheet for the big ones has been rather poor. This is shown by a look at the pure statistics.
ABBA, Celine Dion, Lena: These are the most prominent ESC winners of recent years
ABBA, Celine Dion, Lena: These are the most prominent ESC winners of recent years
For example, France finished last once in 14 participations and was only in the top 10 three times. In 2021, at least second place was achieved. The situation is similar for Spain, which was able to take third place once, but has otherwise only been in the top 2008 twice since 10.
ESC not always glorious for Germany since Lena victory – Italy as a positive counterexample
Of course, Britain can, well, tell you a thing or two about that. The five-time ESC winner would only make it into the upper final table twice from 2008 onwards. Two final places are added. After all, second place was achieved in 2022. And Germany? Over the past 15 years, Lena's ESC victory in 2010 has been enthroned above everything. On the other hand, there are also last places like Malik Harris, Jendrik or Ann Sophie – who couldn't score a point at all. The only major exception is Italy.
The southern European country had taken a 13-year break from the ESC and was able to climb to second place at the comeback in 2011. Over the years, a third, a second place and finally the ESC win in 2021 by Måneskin were to follow. And: With two exceptions, every ESC entry from Italy has placed in the top 10 since then. In general, it does not always have to be an advantage to be directly qualified for the ESC final. For Lord of the Lost, who seem to have lost their peace and quiet and find their sleep, one can only hope for the best. (han)
Category list image: © Marc John/imago