His big ESC plan

Stefan Raab makes Song Contest a “matter for the boss”

Stefan Raab with Inga Leschek (Chief Content Officer RTL Germany) and Christine Strobl (ARD Program Director)(Bild: Raab Entertainment / RTL / ARD / NDR / Willi Weber)

On Thursday, Stefan Raab, RTL and ARD revealed the secret of the German preliminary decision for the Song Contest. Under the title "Chefsache ESC 2025 - Wer singt für Deutschland", the German act for the singing competition, which will take place next May in Basel, is being sought.

In a press conference, Stefan Raab, ARD and RTL explained what the preliminary decision for the new song contest, which will represent Germany at the ESC in Switzerland next year, will look like. 

Four primetime shows
The new ESC talent of our neighbors will be cast in four primetime shows, three of which will be broadcast on RTL. The search is on for a hit - and a star. 

Will Stefan Raab pull off another sensation? In 2010, he won the Song Contest for Germany with Lena Meyer-Landrut. This year, the presenter is back in the ESC preliminary round.(Bild: OHLENBOSTEL,GUIDO / Action Press)

Stefan Raab will of course be on the jury, who will select the best of 24 acts together with his jury colleagues. The shows will be hosted by Barbara Schöneberger.

Audience can choose the winner
In the shows, the candidates have to show their skills in several singing rounds and song disciplines. Who will go to the Song Contest for Germany will be revealed in the live final show on ARD - with NDR in charge.

However, the decision is then solely in the hands of the viewers, who can vote for the winner. The goal is clear: "Of course we want to win," said Raab at the presentation of the selection process.

Anyone who wants to take their chance in the song contest can apply now until November 28. We are looking for both solo artists and bands.

With Raab as the initiator of the cooperation between public and private broadcasting, the broadcasters hope to give the German preliminary decision "new strength". This is not the first time that ARD has cooperated with a private broadcaster - ProSieben was on board for the casting show in 2012.

Long ESC history
Raab's ESC history goes back to 1998, when he composed Guildo Horn's Eurovision song "Guildo hat euch lieb" under the pseudonym Alf Igel. At the time, the song and performance were considered a revival experience for the dusty pop song competition, which was still pathetically called the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson. In 2000, Raab even performed in the competition himself with the hit "Wadde hadde dudde da?". Raab celebrated his greatest ESC success as the mastermind behind Lena Meyer-Landrut's victory ("Satellite") in 2010.