Stefan Raab Embarks on Quest for Eurovision Success
Tonight, renowned entertainer Stefan Raab embarks on his mission to select Germany’s next representative for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). After years of lackluster results, the stakes are high to find a performer who can contend for victory at the prestigious music competition.
"My goal is to win," Raab declared to his new home network, RTL.
This year’s German national selection process will unfold across four shows. The pre-recorded events will be hosted by Barbara Schöneberger and produced in Hürth near Cologne. The first three shows, including tonight’s opener, will air on RTL and RTL+. The grand finale on March 1 will be broadcast on Das Erste, available on eurovision.de, the ARD Mediathek, and ONE.
Raab will preside over the judging panel alongside host Elton, singer Yvonne Catterfeld, and a guest juror. Singer Max Mutzke will join the panel for the first show. In the preliminary rounds, the jury has the sole responsibility of selecting the contestants who advance. However, in the final, the audience will determine the winner.
Each of the first two shows will feature twelve acts vying for a spot in the semi-finals. Initially, they will perform cover versions or older original songs. It is only in the semi-finals on February 22 that the potential ESC entries will debut. Tonight’s lineup includes sibling duo Abor & Tynna, Cologne-based musician Cage, Munich band COSBY, and medieval rockers Feuerschwanz.
ARD and RTL have collaborated to implement the new selection format.
Since 2015, Germany’s ESC performances have largely yielded last or second-to-last place finishes. Notable exceptions were Michael Schulte (4th place in 2018) and singer Isaak (12th place in 2023).
Raab is widely regarded as an ESC specialist, offering hope for a turnaround. Among his accomplishments, he composed "Guildo hat euch lieb," which helped Guildo Horn achieve 7th place in 1998. Two years later, Raab himself took the stage with "Wadde hadde dudde da?" and earned 5th place. His crowning achievement came in 2010 when his protégé Lena Meyer-Landrut emerged victorious in the ESC.
After retiring from public life in 2015, Raab made a remarkable return to the spotlight in September 2024. Now, he is back on the ESC scene, eager to guide Germany to Eurovision glory once more.
This year’s ESC final will be held in Basel on May 17.
