Russia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. Despite early indications that the Russian participation for 2007 would be organised by Rossiya Channel (RTR), Channel One Russia (C1R) remained in charge of selecting the Russian entry and retained the broadcast rights for the 2007 Contest.[1][2] The Russian entry was selected internally by C1R. Serebro represented Russia with the song "Song #1", which placed 3rd in the final, scoring 207 points.[3]
Despite early indications that the Russian participation for 2007 would be organized by Rossiya Channel (RTR), Channel One Russia (C1R) remained in charge of selecting the Russian entry. "However, preliminary consultations on the national selection still managed to be held by the Rossiya Channel, and according to their results it became clear that the only candidate of the channel is the singer Valeriya, who was planned to be approved without selection, or held according to the "open-internal" selection. [National song selection for an internally selected artist]"[4][better source needed] However, contradicting himself, ESCKaz said that "According to ESCKaz, by the end of the year, RTR will announce the names of three applicants selected from among the well-known Russian performers, further selection will be carried out from them. [...] One of the contenders to represent Russia at Eurovision will be the popular singer and finalist of Narodny Artist [Russian version of Idols] Alexander Panayotov."[5][better source needed]
C1R selection[]
On 20 January 2007, C1R announced a submission period for interested artists and composers to submit their entries until 1 March 2007. A jury panel was to evaluate the received submissions on 3 March 2007 and select the Russian entry, however a decision was not reached and instead five candidates were shortlisted: Aleksandr Panayotov and Alexey Chumakov, Band'Eros, Gorod 312, Serebro and Zveri.
On 8 March 2007, C1R announced that they had internally selected Serebro to represent Russia in Helsinki. The announcement occurred during the Channel One programme Vysshaya Liga. Serebro's selection as the Russian representative was decided upon by the jury panel from the five shortlisted candidates following a closed audition held on the same day.[6][better source needed] The Russian song, "Song #1", was presented to the public on 14 March 2007 during a special radio programme broadcast on Europa Plus. "Song #1" was composed by creator of the group Maxim Fadeev, with lyrics by Daniil Babichev. Fadeev previously composed the 2004 Russian entry. The song was also presented on 24 March 2007 during Vysshaya Liga.[7]
Known submitted entries[6][better source needed][8][better source needed]
Serebro performing at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 final in Helsinki.
Since Russia placed within the top 10 countries (excluding the Big Four) in the 2006 Contest, Russia pre-qualified to compete directly in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. On 12 March 2007, Russia was drawn to perform 15th in the final on 12 May 2007, following a slot allotted for a semi-finalist qualifier, which was ultimately filled by Latvia and preceding Germany.[10] After the voting concluded, Russia scored 207 points and placed 3rd.[11]
The semi-final and final were broadcast on Channel One, with commentary by Yuriy Aksyuta and Elena Batinova. The voting spokesperson for Russia was Yana Churikova.
^Despite the fact that Sergey wanted to submit a solo application, Channel One insisted only on his participation as part of duo "Smash!!". "It was not possible to come to an agreement, and therefore the press, which had been trumpeting his alleged "approval" by the representative of Russia for a couple of weeks, now shyly hangs up, inventing pseudo-excuses."
Russia
Ukraine
Iceland
