The ESC will soon conquer the United States: The producers of the popular singing competition are planning an "American Song Contest".
The successful ESC concept should now also inspire music fans in the United States: The makers of the European singing competition are planning an "American Song Contest", which is to take place in 2021, as announced on the official ESC website. For the offshoot, there are already initial details on the selection process and determination of the winner.
According to the current state of planning, musicians from all 50 US states should be able to participate. The chaff should separate from the wheat in five to ten qualification rounds. Then the participants will have two semi-finals and finally a final. The American Song Contest Academy, a group of US music experts from all genres, will work with the audience to help make the selection.
ESC experts set up the "American Song Contest"
"It is time for America to experience this spectacle through a sister competition. The love of music is universal and the celebration of music in different genres and styles can cross borders and bring people together", explains the Executive Supervisor of the ESC, Martin Österdahl ( 46). In addition to experienced Swedish TV producers, Christer Björkman (62) will also be involved in the new competition. He took part in the ESC himself in 1992, is the head of the Swedish delegation and has been organizing the Swedish qualification competition Melodifestivalen since 2002.
In addition to the producers from Sweden, Ben Silverman (49) will contribute his experience. He brought European formats like "The Office", "Big Brother" and "The Weakest Link" to America. He loved the ESC format and had struggled to implement it for the US for 20 years, Silverman told the US industry portal "Variety". An "American Song Contest" comes just at the right time. "With the many problems we are dealing with right now that divide us, the only thing that really connects us is our culture."
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was canceled due to the corona. Since then, the issue has been planned for the coming year.