The disappointment among fans is huge: Due to the corona pandemic, the Eurovision Song Contests 2020 will not take place. Now entertainers Stefan Raab (53, "TV total") and ProSieben have announced that they want to host an alternative singing competition – the "Free European Song Contest", in short: #FreeESC.
"Music connects many people to each other, especially in difficult times," explains Raab, who will produce the ESC alternative. "Special challenges need special solutions. This evening Europe comes together in a special, unique way."
ProSieben broadcasts the competition live
The 53-year-old is supported by his "home station" ProSieben, which will broadcast the competition live from Cologne on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 8:15 p.m. "Stefan Raab loves music. Stefan Raab loves the European idea. We are happy about the great opportunity to live and celebrate Europe in these times with a new music competition," says ProSieben boss Daniel Rosemann. ProSieben has not yet explained how the shipment should work in times of border closings and travel warnings. According to the broadcaster, however, all current legal requirements and the requirements of the health authorities are met during production.
As a long-time moderator of the satire broadcast "TV total", Stefan Raab not only launched show formats such as the "Wok World Cup" and "Schlag den Raab". From 2004 onwards, he also submitted his own candidate for the ESC preliminary decision, which he previously cast with the campaign "Stefan sucht den super Grand-Prix-Star (SSDSGPS)" – this included Max Mutzke (38), Stefanie Heinzmann (31 ) and Lena Meyer-Landrut (28), who won the ESC 2010 for Germany.