GERMANY – After the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest, TV producer Stefan Raab and ProSieben launched the “Free European Song Contest” for that May 16. Little is known about the concept, but there is great enthusiasm among those involved.
“Music connects many people to each other, 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'”, explains Stefan Raab about the idea and ProSieben boss Daniel Rosemann adds: “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. We are looking forward to the ‘Free European Song Contest’ “
Little is known about the concept yet. But it seems clear that it will not be about the candidates for the EBU’s Eurovision Song Contest. After the well-known Eurovision 2020 cancelled without replacement, Stefan Raab had the idea of holding a singing competition in a special edition. The disappointment among the fans was too great, it says in the press release.
Raab: “Special challenges need special solutions. This evening Europe comes together in a special, unique way.”
ProSieben will broadcast the “Free European Song Contest” live from Cologne on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 8:15 p.m. All current legal requirements and the requirements of the health authorities should be met.
The show is being produced by Stefan Raab, but it is unclear whether he will also appear in front of the camera. To put it bluntly according to Stefan Raab himself: What is going on there? It’s not known exactly. ProSieben and Stefan Raab want to announce further information shortly.
Incidentally, it was almost five years ago that Stefan Raab announced his on-air withdrawal from television.
It was the evening of June 17, 2015, when the press release surprised the industry and shocked fans. Half a year later, Raab then said goodbye with the last “TV total” show on December 16 and the last “Schlag den Raab” show on December 19.
In the following years, Raab remained active as a producer of television programs, but no longer appeared in front of the TV camera. The entertainer was last seen in front of an audience in 2018 with three live shows in Cologne’s Lanxess Arena.
