As TVE announce the final ten that will comprise the National selection final, I would like to reflect upon what can only be seen as a disappointing year for the Spanish selection process.
This year TVE decided to continue the same selection process that it has had over the last two years except that this year it decided not to use MySpace. The MySpace model was seen as original and led to many fans, the world over to be interested in how it worked and what benefit it could bring to Eurovision. The removal of MySpace meant for TVE an increase in attendance numbers, since anyone interested in the contest would have to access all information within the broadcasters website.
This is not something new, many Eurovision broadcasters use their website as part of the selection process however the main difference with TVE and this year in particular, was that they chose to host everything on their website. An official video and information on the song that was to be performed could only be accessed via the RTVE website. There was also to be interviews although these will only materialise once the lead-up to the Final gets underway. Even a Facebook account was created and news messages delivered.
The problem with this method is that it brings a lack of much needed information to fans everywhere and in order to be successful at Eurovision you need to cover all bases. By this, I mean not only to keep your national fans happy but to also reach out to your international fans. In respect to this, it is sad to say that RTVE have failed. There has been little to no contact from TVE regarding any part of their contest and any approach made to one of the candidates would have to be vetoed by both TVE and the company behind the artist because this year nearly every artist, at least those with possibilities were supported by a major Spanish organisation.
Again, this is not something new and many other Eurovision broadcasters have used this method over several years however as one of the Big Four you would expect TVE to use a greater level of discretion, especially since they are automatically included in the final. Whereas France or Germany have used a broadcaster only selection process in the past, TVE have recently steered clear of this, claiming to listen to the voice of the fan and of the public. If this is the case then why would they be fearful of allowing Eurovision fansites access to an artist and instead aim to cover everything themselves?
It has always proved beneficial for a Eurovision artist to be seen in a good light throughout the Eurovision area and although not successful on the night, Soraya who represented Spain in 2009 endeared herself to many fans and was seen in a good light while in Moscow. I am not suggesting this cannot be repeated or that TVE cannot have a good representative but until now, up to this point in time, TVE have failed to grasp the importance of the outside fan and this could come back to haunt the Spanish representative in Oslo or during the lead-up to it.
Whatever position is achieved in Oslo I feel its time for TVE to change the selection process, there have been too many insinuations of vote fixing this year, many or in fact most may have been totally fabricated but it hasn't left the process in a good light. In fact many people were immediately expecting an artist to be chosen in the mode of the 2008 contestant Chiquilicuatre and it was only upon the sudden uproar from the fans that this was quickly dismissed. However the idea was still there and this must make TVE reflect and consider a change to the current selection process. It may in fact be better to have an internal selection or have a system similar to that employed by the UK, another Big four member. To have a song written by an accomplished songwriter and then to have an artist chosen by the public.
If anything is learnt from the 2010 selection process in Spain its that people are no longer interested in autocracy and will try to get information from varied sources. To exclude these is to treat the public, those who ultimately breath life into the contest, with suspicion and will only lead to anger and a lack of support. Lets hope that 2010 is just a blip in the road to Eurovision success and that Spain can pick itself up and keep on running.
