LRT has announced changes to the Lithuanian selection process for Eurovision 2020 including changes to the length of then selection.
The Lithuanian national broadcaster has announced changes to its Eurovision selection process for 2020. The broadcaster is shortening the selection process to six shows running from mid-January to the end of February. Furthermore, the number of songs that artists can compete with has been limited to just one.
A new working group has been created to oversee the selection process formed of; G. Oganauskas – LRT pop music editor Ramūnas Zilnys, LRT TV chief. Producer Audrius Giržadas, LRT Radio Department Program Manager Giedrius Masalskis, LRT OPUS Manager Darius Užkuraitis, LRT Communications Manager Rūta Putnikienė, LRT Foreign Relations Coordinator Jolanta Tarasevičienė, TV Director Povilas Varvuolis.
The voting process for the jury will evolve, they will no longer comment on all performances and will view the performances in a separate space. In addition, the public vote will no longer be shown during the show, with the results only known at the end of the show.
LRT has also committed to spending additional funds on the winning act from the selection process. The broadcaster will commit to spending on stage effects, directing, vocal lessons, costumes and more.
The songs submission process opens on September 30 and close on December 8th.
Source: LRT
Lithuania debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, however on their debut they finished in last place with nul points. Lithuania didn’t return to the contest until 1999 when Aiste finished 20th with the song “Strazdas”. Lithuania’s best result came in 2006 when LT United performed “We Are The Winners”; they finished 6th in the final with a total of 162 points. Lithuania’s only other top 10 finish came in 2016 when Donny Montell performed “I’ve Been Waiting For This Night” in Stockholm, he received 12 points from the public in Ireland, Norway & United Kingdom.
