Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013

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Eurovision Song Contest 2013
Country Greece
National selection
Selection processEurosong 2013 – a MAD show
Selection date(s)18 February 2013
Selected entrantKoza Mostra feat. Agathon Iakovidis
Selected song"Alcohol Is Free"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Elias Kozas
  • Stathis Pahidis
Finals performance
Semi-final resultQualified (2nd, 121 points)
Final result6th, 152 points
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2012 • 2013 • 2014►

Greece confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, to be held between 14 and 18 May 2013 in Malmö, Sweden. The Greek national broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), announced on 15 January 2013 that it had reached an agreement with private music channel MAD TV to take on the organization and production of a national final to select a song to represent Greece in the contest. Additionally, MAD TV will also handle all related preparations associated with the contest. ERT stated that it had taken this decision, after reaching out to record labels and failing to secure a deal with them as in previous years. A national final was held on 18 February 2013, with Koza Mostra and Agathonas Iakovidis winning with the song "Alcohol Is Free".

Greece placed 2nd in the second semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, with 121 points, and ultimately got 6th place in the Final with 152 points.

Background[]

Main article: Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2013 contest, Greece had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest thirty-three times since its first entry in 1974,[1] winning it in 2005 with the song "My Number One" performed by Elena Paparizou,[2] and having placed third three times: in 2001 with the song "Die for You" performed by the duo Antique; in 2004 with "Shake It" performed by Sakis Rouvas; and in 2008 with "Secret Combination" performed by Kalomoira. Following the introduction of semi-finals for the 2004 contest, Greece has had a top ten placing each year (except on 2012). Its least successful result was in 1998 when it placed twentieth with the song "Mia Krifi Evesthisia" by Thalassa, receiving only twelve points in total, all from Cyprus.[3]

The Greek national broadcaster, Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), is in charge of Greece's participation each year, including the selection process for its entry.[4][5] Although its selection techniques have varied over the decades, the most common has been a national final in which various acts compete against each other with pre-selected songs, voted on by a jury, televoters, or both. In most cases, internal selections have been reserved for high-profile acts, with the song either being selected internally or with multiple songs—by one or multiple composers—performed by the artist during a televised final. One of the more unusual methods was a reality television talent competition format inspired by the Idol series that ran for many months in 2004, ultimately being scrapped. The notability of the participants has also varied, from previously unsigned acts to established music superstars. Since the 2010s, ERT has used national finals with generally less-established acts.

In mid-November 2012, Johnny Kalimeris, executive member of the ERT board, initially confirmed that Greece would take part in the contest despite ongoing financial problems Greece was facing.[6] Despite the earlier confirmation, the country's participation came into doubt later in the same month due to budget cuts the broadcaster had endured, the high costs associated with the contest, and the difficulty said costs would present in finding sponsors to cover the expenses.[7] Additionally, various Greek politicians and the current government spokesman suggested that a participation in the 2013 contest would be distasteful during a time that Greeks were enduring drastic economic cuts to keep the economy afloat due to the ongoing finical crisis.[8] Despite the uncertainty, Greece's participation was officially confirmed on 21 December 2012 when the European Broadcasting Union released a list of the countries that would participate in the 2013 contest.[9][10] ERT later stated that its participation was decided on taking into consideration the high viewership and popularity of the event, on the condition that the broadcaster would not be burdened financially.[11]

Before Eurovision[]

Eurosong 2013 – a MAD show[]

Eurosong 2013 – a MAD show was the Greek national final developed by ERT to select the Greek entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. Organized and produced by private music channel MAD TV, the competition took place on 18 February 2013 at the Gazi Music Hall in Athens, hosted by Despina Vandi and Giorgos Kapoutzidis.[12] The show was televised on ET1, ERT World, in Cyprus via the channel RIK 1 as well as online via the ERT website ert.gr, YouTube and the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv.[13] The national final was watched by 1.07 million viewers in Greece with a 22% viewership rate according to ABG Nielsen Hellas.[14]

Competing entries[]

Four artists, all signed to record labels Panik Records or its imprint Platinum Records, were invited by ERT to participate in the national final.[15] The four acts: Aggeliki Iliadi, Alex Leon feat. Giorgina, Koza Mostra and Thomai Apergi were announced on 21 January 2013.[16][17] The competing songs were presented on 6 February 2013 during a press conference held in Athens.[18]

Artist Song Songwriter(s) Label
Aggeliki Iliadi "Hilies kai mia nihtes" (Χίλιες και μια νύχτες) Kiriakos Papadopoulos, Elias Filippou Platinum Records
Alex Leon feat. Giorgina "Angel" Alex Leon, RiskyKidd Panik Records
Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas Iakovidis "Alcohol Is Free" Elias Kozas, Stathis Pahidis Platinum Records
Thomai Apergi "One Last Kiss" Giorgos Gekas, Aris Nikolakopoulos Panik Records

Final[]

The final took place on 18 February 2013. Four songs competed and the winner, "Alcohol Is Free" performed by Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas Iakovidis, was selected by a 50/50 combination of public voting and jury voting.[19][20] The jury consisted of Dimitris Kontopoulos (producer), Andreas Pilarinos (conductor), Marina Lahana (ERT Programming Executive), Reggina Kouri (Head of Public Relations for MAD TV) and Vicky Leandros (singer and Eurovision Song Contest 1972 winner).[21] Public voting was conducted through telephone or SMS, with 21,265 telephone votes and 36,881 SMS votes being cast during the show.[22]

Contrary to previous years, the national final did not feature many international guests by participants from other countries in the Eurovision Song Contest as additional entertainment. Instead, the national final featured many past Eurovision winners performing duets with popular Greek singers, including Dima Bilan with Demy, Elena Paparizou with VEGAS, Alexander Rybak with Kostas Martakis, Marija Serifovic with Melisses, Ruslana with Eleni Foureira, and Vicky Leandros with Elena Paparizou. Additionally, Eleftheria Eleftheriou and Ivi Adamou performed a mashup of their 2012 Eurovision entries together. Cypriot Eurovision participant Despina Olympiou also performed her 2013 Eurovision entry. The national final was broadcast live on television through ET1 in Greece, worldwide on ERT World, RIK in Cyprus, as well as online through the official websites of ERT, the Eurovision Song Contest, and MAD TV's YouTube channel. Additionally, the show was rebroadcast later on Eurovision Channel ERT powered by MAD on OTE TV.[21]

Compared to the previous year, the show was a success receiving both higher viewer ratings and public votes.[22] The show lasted approximately two and a half hours and was the third highest rated show aired on 18 February with 22% viewership according to AGB Hellas;[14] it is estimated that 1.07 million viewers on average watched the show.[22][14] It is also estimated that at least 3.3 million viewers tuned into the show for at least one minute throughout the duration of the show.[22] 58,146 public votes were received, of which 36,881 were via SMS voting and 21,265 via televoting.[22] Koza Mostra & Agathonas Iakovidis were the overall winners, coming first in both the televoting and jury votes.[22][23]

Final – 18 February 2013
Draw Artist Song Jury Televote Total Place
1 Thomai Apergi "One Last Kiss" 11.51 12.03 23.54 3
2 Alex Leon feat. Giorgina "Angel" 15.08 9.54 24.61 2
3 Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas Iakovidis "Alcohol Is Free" 16.27 20.45 36.72 1
4 Aggeliki Iliadi "Hilies kai mia nihtes" 7.14 7.98 15.13 4

At Eurovision[]

On February 7, 2013, ERT and MAD TV launched a special 24/7 channel called Eurovision Channel ERT powered by MAD exclusively on OTE TV. The channel is exclusively devoted to Eurovision coverage, and features clips of songs throughout the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, as well as special Eurovision programs.[24]

Greece was allocated to compete in the second semi-final on 16 May for a place in the final on 18 May.[25] In the second semifinal, the producers of the show decided that Greece would perform 9th, following Iceland and preceding Israel.[26]

Greece qualified from the second semi-final, placing 2nd with 121 points.[27][28] At the second semi-final winners' press conference, Greece was allocated to perform in the second half of the final.[29] In the final, the producers of the show decided that Greece would perform 21st, following Azerbaijan and preceding Ukraine.[30] Greece finished the contest in 6th place with 152 points.[31]

Voting[]

Points awarded to Greece[]

Points awarded by Greece[]

References[]

  1. ^ Staff. "Eurovision Song Contest 1974". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  2. ^ Staff (21 May 2005). "Eurovision win for Greek singer". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  3. ^ "History by Country: Greece". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  4. ^ Paravantes, Maria. (11 June 2005). Joy In Greece Over Eurovision Win. Billboard 117(24), 17-17. Retrieved on 16 January 2009.
  5. ^ Staff (18 December 2009). "Eurovision 2010: Οι 10 ελληνικές υποψηφιότητες" (in Greek). ERT. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  6. ^ Floras, Stella (13 November 2012). "Greece confirms, selection options under discussion". ESCToday. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  7. ^ Floras, Stella (29 November 2012). "Greek Eurovision participation in grave danger due to cost". ESCToday. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  8. ^ Smith, Helena (30 November 2013). "They're not singing any more: Eurovision suffers rash of withdrawals". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  9. ^ "39 countries to take part in Eurovision 2013". EBU. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  10. ^ "39 χώρες θα πάρουν μέρος στη Eurovision" (in Greek). Star Channel. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  11. ^ "ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ Δ.Σ ΕΡΤ 11.1.2013" (Press release) (in Greek). Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Archived copy" Ανακοίνωση Δ.Σ. - 15.1.2013 (Press release) (in Greek). Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. 15 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ Floras, Stella (18 February 2013). "Watch now: Greece decides for Eurovision at 20:00 CET". Esctoday.
  14. ^ a b c "AGB Nielsen Media Research". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Οι υποψήφιοι καλλιτέχνες για τον 58ο Πανευρωπαϊκό Διαγωνισμό της Eurovision!" (in Greek). MAD TV. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  16. ^ Vranis, Michalis (21 January 2013). "Greece: The four acts revealed". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  17. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (21 January 2013). "Artists announced for Greek final". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Update για τα τραγούδια του ελληνικού τελικού της Eurovision" (in Greek). MAD TV. 1 February 2013. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  19. ^ "Archived copy" ΟΙ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΤΕΣ & ΟΙ ΤΙΤΛΟΙ ΤΩΝ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΩΝ ΣΤΟΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΤΕΛΙΚΟ (in Greek). Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ "Update: Οι παρουσιαστές του ελληνικού τελικού της Eurovision" (in Greek). MAD TV. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  21. ^ a b "Απόψε ο ελληνικός τελικός της Eurovision-A Mad Show!" (Press release) (in Greek). Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation & MAD TV via To Paron. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Papanikolao, Natasa (21 February 2013). Πρωτιά με 48% για τον Αγάθωνα (in Greek). Ethnos. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  23. ^ Konstantopoulos, Fotis (22 February 2013). "ΤΑ ΕΠΙΣΗΜΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΕΠΙΛΟΓΗΣ / OIKOTIMES EUROVISION 2013 MALMÖ SWEDEN" (in Greek). Oikotimes.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Δείτε τα υποψήφια τραγούδια για τον ελληνικό τελικό της Eurovision!" (in Greek). MAD TV. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  25. ^ Siim, Jarmo (17 January 2013). "Draw results: Who's in which Semi-Final?". Eurovision.tv.
  26. ^ Siim, Jarmo (28 March 2013). "Eurovision 2013: Semi-Final running order revealed". Eurovision.tv.
  27. ^ Leon, Jakov (16 May 2013). "We have ten more finalists!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  28. ^ "Second Semi-Final of Malmö 2013". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  29. ^ Brey, Marco (16 May 2013). "Second Semi-Final Winners' Press Conference". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  30. ^ Storvik-Green, Simon (17 May 2013). "Running order for the Grand Final revealed". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  31. ^ "Grand Final of Malmö 2013". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Results of the Second Semi-Final of Malmö 2013". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  33. ^ a b "Results of the Grand Final of Malmö 2013". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.

External links[]

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