MALTA:NATIONAL FINAL SET FOR JANUARY

PBS, the Maltese national broadcaster has confirmed that Malta will participate at the forthcoming 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.

Malta is turning up the heat on the Eurovision 2015-2016 selection season! Malta is the 18th country to confirm its participation at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. PBS will stage a national selection in January, and it will consist of a semi-final and a final. All artists must be Maltese or hold dual citizenship, one of which must be Maltese. The songs, however, can come from authors and composers of any nation.

Interestingly, artists must all submit two songs. One is an original song — presumably the one they would like to sing at Eurovision. And the other is a recording of another song, which can be a cover version, or a song that has already been published.

A  total of 20 acts will compete in the selection whilst a total of 14 acts will proceed to the grand final in order to battle for the golden ticket to Stockholm. Artists can submit songs on October 29 and October 30.

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 10, 12 and 14 May at the Globe Arena in Stockholm.

In 2015 Malta selected its Eurovision act and entry for Vienna via a national selection. Amber represented Malta at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with her entry Warrior. Despite a good performance she failed to qualify to the grand final in Vienna.

Malta debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 and is yet to win the event. The country achieved its best placing in the competion in 2002 with Ira Losco and in 2005 with Chiara when it placed 2nd.