Inside Germany's Eurovision Struggles: Dr. Eurovision Offers Insight and Solutions (INTERVIEW)

 

Hello Dr. Eurovision! Thank you so much for agreeing to participate in this interview for Euro Glitter. We are excited to have your insights on Germany's involvement in Eurovision.

- Can you briefly introduce yourself and explain your connection to Eurovision Song Contest?

Hi, I am “Dr. Eurovision,” a dedicated fan of the world’s biggest music show since my early childhood and the first person to write a Ph.D. thesis on the Eurovision Song Contest. The contest in Malmö was the 30th I attended as an accredited journalist.

- In recent years, Germany has had mixed results at Eurovision. What do you think are the main factors contributing to this?

There are various reasons for that. One might be that the German music industry does not fully recognize the Eurovision Song Contest as a genuine platform to boost an artist’s career. Therefore, most promising acts are reluctant to participate in the national selection process. Additionally, the show itself could be improved to make it more appealing to established artists.

- Which recent German entries do you believe deserved a better placement and why?

I was very surprised that Lord of the Lost came in last, as they are an experienced band with many fans and ran an excellent social media campaign. However, even as someone who enjoys metal music from time to time, I felt their song was a bit too targeted at a stereotypical Eurovision audience, thereby losing some of its “street credibility.” I also think “Ghost” is a great song and is still played on the radio, but it is known more as the song with which Jamie-Lee won The Voice Germany rather than a Eurovision entry.

- Are there any changes you would recommend to the current selection process to improve Germany's chances in the future?

It is difficult to advise those in charge of the show because I understand the constraints of the German music market and German television. NDR, the German broadcaster responsible, has different priorities. Moreover, we no longer have a strong tradition of music shows on German television, so any investments in the show might not lead to increased viewership. However, I believe that the television and online departments should collaborate more closely. The future of Eurovision lies with the online audience, not the linear television audience.

 - Are there any upcoming German artists or trends in the German music industry that you think could make a strong impact at Eurovision?

We have many successful artists who are rarely heard on everyday radio, such as Apache 207 or Shirin David. However, I fear that these big names would—if ever—instead of creating something outstanding typical of their style, try something “Eurovisiony” for the contest. First, NDR needs to abandon the approach that Eurovision is merely a funny thing. It’s not funny—it’s the biggest televised music show in the world.

 - Looking ahead, what advice would you give to future German contestants to succeed in Eurovision?

Be yourself, don’t worry about my advice, and do your own thing. But do it properly.

- Is there anything else you would like to share about Germany’s Eurovision journey or any final thoughts for our readers at Euro Glitter?

I have been a Eurovision fan for over 50 years, witnessing both the good and bad times for Germany in Eurovision. Whenever I was proud of the German entry, I didn’t care about its final placement. However, the last time I felt truly proud of a German song was back in 2010 when Lena won Eurovision with “Satellite.” I hope to experience that feeling again someday.