Following the success of Spain’s National Final, Benidorm Fest, this year, it has been reported that RTVE have proposed a televised pre-selection round, to take place prior to the festival, between different regions of Spain.
RTVE are proposing that, for Benidorm Fest 2023, the local “FORTA” Spanish stations hold regional pre-selections to decide on the participants for Benidorm Fest.
FORTA is a member of local Spanish broadcasters, who serve different regions of Spain. They are formed of:
- Andalusia – Radio y Televisión de Andalucía
- Aragon – Corporación Aragonesa de Radio y Televisión
- Asturias – Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias
- Balearic Islands – Ens Públic de Radiotelevisió de les Illes Balears
- Basque Country – Euskal Irrati Telebista
- Castilla-La Macnha – Radiotelevisión de Castilla–La Mancha
- Catalonia – Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals
- Canary Islands – Radio Televisión Canaria
- Galicia – Corporación de Radio Televisión de Galicia
- Madrid – Radio Televisión Madrid
- Murcia – Radiotelevisión de la Región de Murcia
- Valencian Community – Corporació Valenciana de Mitjans de Comunicació
The concept of this regional pre-selection round has been around for several years. It would mean that Benidorm Fest would essentially have a national selection for its own national selection.
However, the idea does run the risk of being more about inter-Spanish regional rivalry than about selecting the best song for Eurovision. So, until we can see this implemented, it’s not certain just how well it will work.
Considering, Benidorm Fest takes place at the end of January, however, and that these would need to take place in November and December, these regional pre-selections would do a good job of filling in the early National Selection calendar for Eurovision fans.
