Entertainment Director Toñi Prieto, has responded to criticism of RTVE’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
Toñi Prieto has participated in RTVE Responde, a monthly show where RTVE responds to audience feedback. The Entertainment Director responded to criticism of Spain’s participation and poor result in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. She commented:
At RTVE, we put all our experience and all our effort, as well as the interpreter, so that the songs are of great quality. The selection is made with the artist’s consent and several authors are invited to compose several songs for the Eurovision Festival . This year it was possible for viewers to choose between two songs the one that would represent us.
As for the staging, I disagree with the spectator. For several years we have hired professionals with a great international professional background, who design and execute it. These artistic directors are also hired by other European countries that also carry out their staging
Overall RTVE Spent 475,000 Euro on participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, considerably less than the 617,000 Euro that was budgeted for this year.
Blas Cantó finished 24th out of 26 acts in the 2021 contest scoring a total of 6 points, the nations only points came from the Bulgarian and British juries.
Image Source: EBU / Thomas Hanses | Source: Eurofestivales
Spain debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 and has competed annually since. Spain has won the contest on two occasions the first being in 1968 and the second time in 1969. 1969 is the only year where more than one song has won the contest. The 1969 contest saw a four-way tie between Spain, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Since 2000 Spain has only managed to finish in the top 10 on five occasions, the last time being in 2014 with Ruth Lorenzo. However, the country has finished 20th or below on ten occasions, the worst placement being 26th in 2017.
