American Song Contest: The format of the contest has been revealed. 10 TV networks claim the rights.

The producer of the American Song Contest, Ola Melzig, gave an informative interview to Jan Bors and his channel the Humans Of Eurovision. Ola Melzig gave more details regarding the format of the contest, and at the same time he revealed that very shortly we will have the announcement of the TV network that will secure the rights of the Song Contest.

The format

Even though the discussion for the final format of the American Song Contest is not over, Ola Melzig said that most of the details have been finalized.

• There will be 5 preliminary rounds in which 10 US States will compete for the four tickets that lead to the two semifinals.
• 20 US States that will advance to the two semifinals. 10 US States will compete in each semifinal. 5 US States from each semi final will be qualified for the Grand Final.
• Only those 10 US States will compete in the Final.

The format of the preliminary rounds will be the same as of the Melodifestivalen, while the one of the Semis and the Final will be as of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Songs Selection

Just like in Eurovision, each US State will be free to decide their own selection method. The entry songs must be original, the vocals will be prerecorded while the lead vocals will be live.

We will work with the record labels of the United States to find the performers and the songs. We won’t have candidates such as Justin Timberlake… but we will focus on renowned artists that are not widely popular.

In the first years, the production team will help the States in finding the artists and the songs, but the goal is in the first three years of the competition, each State to undertake the process of selecting its participation.

Connection between the Eurovision and the American Song Contest

The EBU would like to be a connection between the two aforementioned contests, with the winner of the ESC appearing as the interval act of the ASC and vice versa.

We want the American Song Contest to be available in Europe. We want the Europeans to have access and- why not- the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest to be the interval act of the American one and our winner here to be the interval act in Eurovision.

Which TV network will have the rights?

Until August, 10 TV networks showed interest for the American Song Contest rights. Very soon and by the end of 2020, the TV network, that will have acquired the rights, will have been revealed. The inaugural American Song Contest is expected to take place in Spring 2022 the latest, but the most possible scenario is the Contest to take place during the 2021 Christmas holidays.

You can watch the entire interview below: